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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Neighbour and his england flag!

162 replies

incrediblyincredible · 15/07/2026 10:30

Our NDN are both 80, and we don’t have the best relationship with them, we feel they can be a bit inconsiderate in terms of boundary noise. We’ve had to mention a couple of things which have affected the enjoyment of our home. So we don’t really speak anymore and they have clearly taken offence despite us mentioning things in a polite way.

Anyway, the man has put up a large England flag on a pole on the joining fence. It’s right at the front of the house and the pole isn’t particularly high so the flag flaps in our faces or visitors faces when they open our gate to go down our walkway. This morning I got pissed off with it as the wind is always blowing our way so the flag is always over our boundary and it looks like it’s our flag as a result (just to add I love football and have no issues with the flag itself, just the positioning of it).
So this morning I wrapped it round the pole and opened my gate to make a point that it’s a walkway.
Anyway, I was sat in my living room and I heard the man come out and say “someone’s wrapped that up!” In an angry loud voice.
AIBU to think that he should realise it’s a bit inconsiderate and could put the flag in an area that doesn’t hang over our boundary?

OP posts:
Lemonandlimetrees · 15/07/2026 11:27

@BauhausOfEliott 😂😂
What else do you think she means by 'England flag'? A picture of Mr Blobby and a Gregg's?

There you are OP, Bauhaus has given you the answer for your own England flag just in front of his, flapping over it.

Flamingojune · 15/07/2026 11:29

StrongandNorthern · 15/07/2026 11:11

I'd leave it for now. They're enjoying the World Cup and all the excitement which goes with it.Their flag is their way of feeling 'involved' (they may be 80 - but probably still feel like they did when England last won, if that makes sense).
Why not let them fly the flag and enjoy the next few hours/days?
You could even build a few bridges - chat to them about it, share their enthusiasm ... may have positive results for all of you in the future.
Just an idea ...

A really good way of feeling involved is watching the match

MickyMoonshine · 15/07/2026 11:41

FrenchandSaunders · 15/07/2026 10:52

I'd chop it down ...

Why?

MyJollyFish · 15/07/2026 11:41

Is this really that important. Blimey.

incrediblyincredible · 15/07/2026 11:44

See now I’m feeling terribly guilty about him knowing we/I tied the flag up. Despite knowing I would never hand a flag on a property boundary where there’s a walkway, but still I feel guilty.

OP posts:
Nanda66 · 15/07/2026 11:47

I couldn’t get worked up about this. The World Cup will be over on Sunday. It’s really not that big a deal.

moltopianissimo · 15/07/2026 11:48

BeanQuisine · 15/07/2026 11:09

There'll always be an England,
Where the High Street drinker begs,
And shoppers in their PJs pause
To fill their gobs with Greggs.

Betjeman?

INX · 15/07/2026 11:50

incrediblyincredible · 15/07/2026 11:44

See now I’m feeling terribly guilty about him knowing we/I tied the flag up. Despite knowing I would never hand a flag on a property boundary where there’s a walkway, but still I feel guilty.

It's not like you set it on fire and rammed the pole up his arse 🤷‍♂️

Gall10 · 15/07/2026 11:53

FrenchandSaunders · 15/07/2026 10:52

I'd chop it down ...

I’ll help!

EasternStandard · 15/07/2026 12:05

Goinggonegone · 15/07/2026 11:13

Seeing as it bothers you, just ask him politely would.he mind flying it somewhere it doesn't flap in your visitors' faces. No need for drama or passive aggression.

Yep

Bigpaintinglittlepainting · 15/07/2026 12:07

We have neighbours like this and I guarantee he’s done it to aggravate. It’s like they can’t help themselves, if it was me I would ignore it and rise above. It’s the only joy they get, by being a little bit irritating and unreasonable.

Littlebitpsycho · 15/07/2026 12:08

BeanQuisine · 15/07/2026 11:09

There'll always be an England,
Where the High Street drinker begs,
And shoppers in their PJs pause
To fill their gobs with Greggs.

This made me laugh way more than it should have

Fiendishandfiery · 15/07/2026 12:10

I mean really this was very passive aggressive. I can see why you don’t get on. It would have been easy enough to send a text or put a note through their door saying can you move it it’s flapping in peoples faces please. But wrapping it up, opening the gate then sitting there waiting for fire works is utterly immature,

ThatJadeLion · 15/07/2026 12:10

FGS there's only a few days left at most. Couldn't get worked up over this. I'm sure you equally do things that are semi annoying. It's a bit of give and take.

PullingOutHair123 · 15/07/2026 12:12

ThatJadeLion · 15/07/2026 12:10

FGS there's only a few days left at most. Couldn't get worked up over this. I'm sure you equally do things that are semi annoying. It's a bit of give and take.

This!

Let them have their flag - it's only for a week. It would make me smile!

ButtercupYellow26 · 15/07/2026 12:29

A bit of tolerance from you wouldn't go amiss during the football season.
Otherwise you will have to move house.
I wish that was all I had to worry about.

faithfultoGeorgeMichael · 15/07/2026 12:43

It'll be gone next week. Unclench. Imagine the national joy if they win. Buy a flag, make a banner. Go on, enjoy yourself!

faithfultoGeorgeMichael · 15/07/2026 12:47

@StrongandNorthern I imagine this couple is committing a range of MN sins such as taking their tops off and BBQ or drinking/laughing/music in the garden and speaking too loudly. Being working class is utterly unacceptable for many on here and sadly, as us lot earn more, and they less, we end up in close proximity more and more often!

faithfultoGeorgeMichael · 15/07/2026 12:48

FrenchandSaunders · 15/07/2026 10:52

I'd chop it down ...

Genuine question - if they were immigrants and put a flag up, say a Mexican flag - would you 'cut it down'? @FrenchandSaunders

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 15/07/2026 12:56

incrediblyincredible · 15/07/2026 10:30

Our NDN are both 80, and we don’t have the best relationship with them, we feel they can be a bit inconsiderate in terms of boundary noise. We’ve had to mention a couple of things which have affected the enjoyment of our home. So we don’t really speak anymore and they have clearly taken offence despite us mentioning things in a polite way.

Anyway, the man has put up a large England flag on a pole on the joining fence. It’s right at the front of the house and the pole isn’t particularly high so the flag flaps in our faces or visitors faces when they open our gate to go down our walkway. This morning I got pissed off with it as the wind is always blowing our way so the flag is always over our boundary and it looks like it’s our flag as a result (just to add I love football and have no issues with the flag itself, just the positioning of it).
So this morning I wrapped it round the pole and opened my gate to make a point that it’s a walkway.
Anyway, I was sat in my living room and I heard the man come out and say “someone’s wrapped that up!” In an angry loud voice.
AIBU to think that he should realise it’s a bit inconsiderate and could put the flag in an area that doesn’t hang over our boundary?

The smart move would be (have been) to wrap it up, and drop a note through their door telling them you'd done it and...

Explain it was hitting people in the face, delivery men were moaning at you, and you didn't want them to have to suffer any personal injury claims.

Being a nice considerate neighbour you are.

Livingoverseas123 · 15/07/2026 13:00

My advice on inconsiderate neighbours is the sme as my advice on teenagers - pick your battles.

Just let this one go.

KazWasntEverCool · 15/07/2026 13:09

This reply has been deleted

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Faceonthewrongfoot · 15/07/2026 13:10

faithfultoGeorgeMichael · 15/07/2026 12:48

Genuine question - if they were immigrants and put a flag up, say a Mexican flag - would you 'cut it down'? @FrenchandSaunders

Strange question. The OP isn't objecting to it being an England flag, but it being a flag that is low and flapping in people's faces. So presumably the advice would be the same regardless of which flag it is.

Faceonthewrongfoot · 15/07/2026 13:12

This reply has been deleted

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Its incredibly windy where we are at the moment (south west), despite also being very hot.

Mygardenshedisfallingdown · 15/07/2026 13:12

Where I used to live kids would have nicked it by the time the owners had gone back indoors.