To wonder why this is 'common'?

[Ellbee83]

I live in an end-terrace house, with a small front yard/garden which I've made as nice as I can with plants, garden furniture, a few fairy lights.
It's south-facing so for (literally!) a few months of the year when the weather allows, if I'm at home and not busy, it's lovely to sit out in the morning with a coffee, or in the evening with a book & glass of wine.
It's genuinely one of my simple pleasures, it's nice to watch the world go by, smile at passers-by, idly chat with the neighbours if they're around but mostly 100% minding my own business and enjoying my own outdoor space.

Yesterday evening, my neighbour (72f) from 3 doors down went past, walking her dogs. She stopped to chat as we often do - the weather, how the flowers are doing, that sort of thing, nothing major! She then went on to tell me how she wouldn't dream of sitting out in her front garden as she'd been taught it was 'common'. I laughed in surprise and said 'Oh, am I being common?' to which she laughingly agreed I was!

Now, tbh, I found it waaaay more common that she'd be so rude but I'm curious - is sitting out in the sun, in your own front garden seen as 'common'?
Not too bothered either way and I'll carry on doing it but I've restricted myself to the back garden today 🫤

Interested to hear opinions!

Nothing wrong with it, and in fact some of the neighbours on the other side of my road have benches set up in the front gardens and plants all round. Only the front of their houses gets the evening sun. I think a lot of the angst is about privacy and people passing by gaping in. That's not a crime, but it takes a while to get used to I'd say. Some of them have the bench or garden chair at the dividing garden wall with privet or other hedges at the front beside the driveways. That way, it's only the nosies coming from one direction will see them and pause for a chat. But I don't think it matters too much. Those who won't sit out front, won't, and those who will, will. It's all very nice really and not common at all IMV.

Describing something as “common” is the commonest thing you can ever do.

You crack on OP and ignore the stickybeaks.

I think it's seen as common as it's associated with not having your own private space. I personally think it's lovely and friendly to sit outside to chat with people. I'd probably sit out front sometimes only we have a high-ish front hedge and sadly we have discovered if we cut it lower than our neighbours', passers-by seem decide our garden's a rubbish bin and throw their takeaway containers into it 😡

Never heard of this.
Enjoy your front garden OP 😎

I think this is why I’m torn, I lived in the states for a 10 yrs and had many a happy time sitting on a friends porch. One friend had a swing, it really was like you see in the movies, lol

And I'd say that verandahs are an extension of the house rather than garden though?

Sit where you like it's your garden!!

I would never consider doing this and I haven’t stopped to reflect why (our front garden is south facing) so would be nicer than the back, where we always sit out - probably ingrained somewhere that it’s common because it’s not private - I often walk through a more deprived area on route to work and lots of people sit out, whereas the only time I’ve seen it where I live is if people are watching kids play. I think it’s a privilege to have somewhere lovely to sit so I definitely wouldn’t change your habit if you’re happy with it and I think far more common to remark upon it. You’ve made me reflect on maybe I should use the front garden more!

Yep, I was always told it was common.
I wouldn’t let that stop me though, if I wanted to sit in my front garden.

Is that the prune who said he finds central heating "common"? He is absolutely welcome to the chilblains he will get without it.

Oh OP, I can't believe you've restricted yourself to your back garden because of this person! You sit in your preferred spot!

Only in the UK would this kind of insane judgement exist. I lived outside the UK for many years and it gave me a new perspective on this kind of petty, ill-mannered snobbery. It's not only extremely small-minded, it's incredibly rude and not very human. People who think this way have pinched, small, mean hearts. And pinched, small, mean brains, too.

You'll never meet a snobbier, snottier person the world over than a middle-class Brit, or one who aspires to be. Or thinks they are. I'm 🤬 on your behalf.

You go and sit in your front garden as much as you like! Don't listen to her!

Classism. Enjoy your sunshine and live your life. I’m a proper chav tho sometimes enjoy my Stella out front.

Give her a fit of the vapours and hang your washing out the front, OP! 🤣🤣🤣🤭

I mean, OP might be doing all of that. There's no photo. Might be why.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

In my street we sit in the front garden to take advantage of the afternoon and evening sun. The back only gets sun in the morning and gets chilly later (North Scotland).
There's nothing common about my neighbours. It's quite a prestigious street!

If you're sitting outside on an old mattress with a fag & a pint shouting at your kids, it's common. If you're surrounded by potted plants and fairy lights you're all good. Just enjoy your garden.

The houses on our road all have big gardens but one neighbour regularly sits in his front garden reading, I think he likes watching people go by & having a chat.

🤣🤣🤣

With a voice from inside going, "Bridge. The baby. Is Bawling. His head off."

And OP bellowing back:

"Daniel. Oy am 'avin. A fag."

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤭

I don’t think your neighbour was being judgey, just commenting that she couldn’t due to a hangover of it being common from her childhood. Plenty of people sit outside cafes nowadays.

Not so long ago, walked past a house, and there must have been a dozen people sitting in a circle in the front garden, enjoying the sunshine and a cuppa. They were having a lovely time.

I used to have a nice front garden but never used it, as I also had a nice one at the back, and that's it exactly - sitting at the front made me feel exposed. But now I wish I had, as I'd have actually known my neighbours and probably had a bunch of nice chats.

Whilst I don’t think it’s common, it’s not unusual to think that. It’s something I’ve heard
my older relatives and friends say.

😂My bus to work used to go by a house like that, it fascinated me as they had decked it out with an extensive collection of plastic plants and flowers, gnomes, and other novelty decorations. Three blokes used to sit outside getting hammered at around 8.30am in the warm weather. When I came home around 8 hours later they would often still be there, I was in awe of their stamina and dedication!

My parents’ house gets the sun til it goes down in the front. We used to sit out when I was younger but now, with the wheelie bins, they don’t

Some other pompous idiot once declared fitted carpets were common. Can't remember who. I suppose you're meant to have threadbare rugs on your flagstones in your country house. They can enjoy the draughts and cold.

I think people who declare they find anything "common" are rather feeble Keeping Up Appearances folk who should be resoundingly rejected.

Your garden and simple joys of enjoying the sun sound beautiful 🌿☀️🌿 keep enjoying it ✨️

I've been sitting at the front of my house with two neighbours drinking wine. We must be very common. I'm 71, almost as old as the woman in the OP.