I dry my laundry in my garden and my neighbour is really unhappy about it

[WashingWoes]

I really don’t think I’m in the wrong here but keen for opinions which I will take onboard if I come off as unreasonable.
I live in an end-terrace house. Neighbour is attached to me. I peg my washing out to dry on good days. We are a family of four, lots of laundry and I much prefer to peg out than use the (expensive and environmentally unfriendly) drier. My neighbour HATES me for drying my laundry in my garden. Relentless comments about how she can’t enjoy looking at her garden from her bedroom window because she can see my (clean) laundry. About how it’s spoiling her enjoyment of her garden. Why can’t I just use the drier, for everyone’s benefit (not mine, see: bills; climate change…). It’s bad manners to dry ‘smalls’ outside - her husband might see my ‘undergarments’ … honestly it’s relentless. I recently received a birthday card from them (very kind, and appreciated) which said ‘Happy Birthday WashingWoes, we really love seeing your washing on the line, have a lovely birthday’. Please reassure me that I’m normal and neighbours are barmy?

I've never hung washing out. I definitely would not have the gall to ask a neighbour no to do so though. That's insane.

That's equally as batshit as the neighbour's request.

Unbelievable! She hates seeing your washing on the line but sends you a birthday card with "we love seeing your washing on the line" written in it. Just what sort of a merry dance is this?

THIS!

She’s a total snob who doesn’t have enough to occupy her mind. And she and her other half are being very rude to boot!

YANBU op!

I could kind of understand it if your washing was blocking her view of some marvellous countryside or something but I don’t understand how it’s possible for it to block her view of her own garden.

I am usually all for good neighbourly relations but I think you are almost being too polite op which let them think a passive agressive birthday card like that was acceptable!

The “children” comment tells you everything you need to know about them. I think I would have to go around and speak to them face to face and say in a very polite manner that they will not succeed in making you feel bad about doing something that is legal, inoffensive, and good for the environment, on your own privale property. And that you frankly are finding it strange that they are focusing so much on your smalls. Use “I” statements and say something like you want to maintain good relations but you will not enter in to any more discussion, even in jest, about this matter.

I would say:

“Drying clothes outside is not against the law, and I’m well within my rights to do so on my own property. I’m not doing anything offensive or disruptive, and I’d appreciate if we could leave it at that.” on repeat until they get the message.

I might even write it down and pass to them when required if I got bored of saying it.

Who the feck admires their garden from their bedroom? They sound deranged - nothing better than a line full of washing on a lovely day!

Even if you don't wear them have some scarlet thongs on the line at all times!

That’s so crazy!

i would love to know how they justify that?

Is it to do with a perception of respectability?

If so, my views are very different on what constitutes reasonable, respectful behaviour!

What harm does it do? I suspect a bunch of men made the laws who never had to look after small children in their lifetime, or nurse a dying relative.

We all joke about it, but this is misogyny at its finest! Somehow being a cleaner, or carer, or doing washing is ignoble and should be hidden from view! And of course, generally speaking, it is women who carry out these essential tasks.

I'd peg out my clothes in the nude, and give her a cheery wave while doing so! Nutter!

I’d definitely be buying some crotchless pants and super sexy lingerie and hanging them on the line.

I'd say your neighbour is a tiny bit unwell, so I'd just continue to be kind to her, and hanging out your washing whenever you want.

I think it is. Sir Titus was a teetotaller for religious reasons, but wasn't against his workers having a beer if they wanted one, so he allowed an off-licence to trade in Saltaire. His problem with pubs was that they acted as places for troublemakers to gather and by troublemakers, he meant people who wanted to form trade unions. In spite of that, I agree he did more good in his lifetime than most people and reading around him for my BA, I became quite fond of the old curmudgeon.

I think I’d just say to them that ‘you own your garden not the view of mine and your rights do not extend beyond your property. You would probably be happier if you buy a property with a much more extensive garden.’

I know in some flats there is a covenant about not hanging washing on your balcony but I can't imagine that ever applying to a terraced house's garden. Tell her you don't approve of her tumble dryer use when it's warm enough to dry clothes outside like a normal person.

Why is your neighbour looking into your garden anyway OP? When it's her next birthday send her a card saying that whilst you like her as a neighbour you're a bit freaked out that she spend her time staring into your garden.

Like pp I've been taking advantage of the hot weather and washing everything I can and it all goes out in the garden. It's dry in a couple of hours so it's not just environmentally friendly it's really quick.

It's 26.5 degrees in my living room at the moment, there's no way in hell I'd have a dryer running in my kitchen in this sort of temperature. and I certainly wouldn't be hanging things over the backs of chairs; why would anyone want their home looking like a laundry.

Your neighbour is nuts.

She’s bonkers.

I would definitely start hanging out weird things for her to notice. Wildly, off the top of my head:

• Christmas stockings.
• A babygrow (if you don’t have a baby).
• Some lettuce leaves.

Omg, I would never waste lovely warm weather like this! I've just spent the whole day washing and hanging it outside, she's bonkers...

YANBU, at all. How entitled is your neighbour?

If it were me, I'd be getting some red paint and soaking some clothes in it, to make it look like something utterly dreadful has taken place. See how she likes living next door to someone who appears to be (very brazenly) getting rid of criminal evidence etc

It’s a passive aggressive merry dance 💃🏻

Thats a bit harsh. Anyone who has a nice garden that they’ve put a lot of time into growing and looking after enjoys looking at it through their windows! Guessing you’re not a keen gardener yourself ;)

You need some these huge joke knickers and just let them live on your line 😂.

https://mondomagna.com/products/cotton-tea-towel-fuck-off-patchwork-blue?srsltid=AfmBOopMrtYD_GX8fFJ7vTXTEo4txt7X7G1_cY0V_Q4YFTsdnsW3c6RD

Buy some of these tea towels and hang them on the line

Bloody hell! My neighbours are noisy, messy and obnoxious. I wish washing was my only problem with them! YANBU

I seen this little gem a while back, I'm not known for being childish so I'm not suggesting it (definitely am) but just showing how creative some people are with their washing 😁
ETA: if pic isn't allowed, it's hung in a way that the shadow behind says Twat and another saying Wank 👀