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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to keep our lights up despite neighbour complaining?

734 replies

AutumnLighting · Yesterday 22:51

We moved into our house just before Christmas last year. We are one of 6 houses on a lane in an u shape and our house is directly opposite one of the other houses. All of the houses are set back so we are not close to the houses opposite.

When we moved in last year, we put up lights on our house and in two of our trees at the front of our house as well as 2 nutcrackers and a Christmas wreath on the door. Nothing garish, just white lights. Every time we saw the neighbours opposite they would comment on the lights and decorations. They said things like that’s is a lot of lights, did you leave any in the shop for anyone else, we certainly can’t miss you etc. We took the lights down in January.

This is now our first autumn in the house and my husband has put up some lights along the front of the house, a garland around the front door and a wreath on the door. We went out for the evening and have come home to a note from the neighbour opposite which said she doesn’t like the lights, none of the past neighbours have ever put them up and that the lights will give her migraines like the ones we put up at Christmas did. She would like us to remove the lights.

How do we respond to this? My husband thinks we just ignore it but I said she will talk to us when we see her if we don’t go over and talk to her about it. He said he’ll tell her not to look at the lights. What would you say? We obviously plan to put the lights up for Christmas again this year so that isn’t going to go down well either.

We know she has moaned about other things to some of the other neighbours like their grandchildren playing outside on their bikes so she seems to be a moaner.

Edited by MNHQ to add a Cancel The Cheque Klaxon: this thread has moved on quite a lot so it's worth reading through all the OP's posts before replying

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Fortheloveoffrogs · Today 14:04

HollyhocksandPeons · Today 13:47

Not a word in the original post about racism - so if it is a drip-feed, then fuck it, am not into reading drip-feeds.

You are still posting having -

1 not read the first post properly. MNHQ clearly state that things have moved on and to read the updates first.
2 not read the updates. If you did you would see how events occurred.

If you can’t be bothered to read the first post properly and see the updates when prompted to by MNHQ, may be your opinion isn’t worth sharing?

dreamiesformolly · Today 14:05

Marellain · Today 14:00

Do you think that racists arent people that deserve to live in peace? Are you so conditioned that you think racism means people arent fellow human beings ?!

Demonising beliefs you don’t like isn’t working in our society is it? Feminists have to live alongside Muslim families where the women are barely allowed to open the door or be seen. Does that mean feminists should harass Muslims with flashing lights?

That's not the same thing and you know it.

And to answer your question, I suspect most decent-thinking people don't feel they owe racists any particular concessions, let alone the kind these people are demanding. I certainly wouldn't be turning the lights off, or conceding to any of their other ridiculous demands, after the way they've treated OP and her DH.

rolloverbeethoven · Today 14:06

Well clearly they ARE racist, but they seem also to be serial complainers, don't they. However they've now given the OP the moral high ground, shine on with your crazy diamonds!

Marellain · Today 14:06

dreamiesformolly · Today 14:05

That's not the same thing and you know it.

And to answer your question, I suspect most decent-thinking people don't feel they owe racists any particular concessions, let alone the kind these people are demanding. I certainly wouldn't be turning the lights off, or conceding to any of their other ridiculous demands, after the way they've treated OP and her DH.

Why is it not the same thing?!

Jellyslothbridge · Today 14:07

It could be worth approaching the police (online/non emergency) and asking to log the racist behaviour but not wanting any action. This is incase there are further incidents or they already have stuff logged so it builds a picture to help others.
I would keep your lights, but turn off any flashing as a reasonable compromise.
I would also struggle to resist buying a realistic soft toy cat to have in a prominent window!

WheresMyHatGone · Today 14:09

My god they sound awful. Your poor husband. I would really try and persuade him to report it to the police. Morons like this should not be allowed to get away with racist comments.
Personally I think your lights sound lovely. As for the 'light pollution' comments...it's a few glowing lights not Heathrow bloody runway!

iwishitwouldstartraining · Today 14:10

pusspuss9 · Today 14:01

please point out where I'm defending anything? I'm asking which of the points made is the more important? both the racism and the bright lights are issues.
For me (being white) the bright lights beaming into my house would be an immediate issue. The racism would also be an immediate issue had I been present. If had been present I would have had to say something., and I would have done. Both issues are important-

From the posts, the lights aren't bright and they are obscured by high hedges.

It's not unusual to have garden lighting in the UK.

MrsFrTedCrilly · Today 14:11

First I’m hugely sorry that you had this experience, some people are just nasty.
I hate outside lights but my neighbours love them and gaudy up their houses every chance they get.
For a few weeks a year it gives them joy, so I couldn’t really care less. It’s called tolerance, they aren’t decorating my house just enjoying yours.
I do think you should log the incident with the police. I’m a parent of mixed heritage kids and I think it’s important to not gloss over hatred.
Seems like your other neighbours are on the same page as you, I suspect it was never about the lights to begin with.

Blummingorgeous · Today 14:13

Have you put lights up for Autumn? Like coloured or themed ones? Why? Surely Halloween’s a time limited thing. Same time I doubt they give her a migraine - how long is she sitting with her curtains open at night looking at your house? How far across the street are you though? If you keep them on overnight that could be really disrupting as blinds & curtains only do so much.

itsallbullshit · Today 14:15

AutumnLighting · Today 09:21

They’ve been back and it went worse than expected. Some people really are nasty fucks.

They said before they talk about the lights, we need to start keeping our cat inside because it’s using their garden as a toilet. We don’t have a cat and told them that. We have never had a cat.

Next was that we need to not drive out of our driveway at night, but reverse due to the headlights. We are allowed to drive out in daytime. Obviously I said no and that they can’t control what we do.

Next it was unknown cars coming to our house when it’s dark. It needs to stop because they’re unable to sleep. The only ‘unknown’ cars that come here are our friends and family, mostly in the daytime. Obviously I said we can have who we like at our house at any time, day or night. We very rarely have any visitors coming and going late at night.

My husband joined us at this point. They have spoken to him before, in English. They heard him ask me if I was ok, in English, when he joined us. My husband is British, born here, but he isn’t white. They asked him if he spoke English. 🤔 He stayed polite and told them that his English was as good as theirs being as he had lived here his whole life.

They said the current lights need to be removed and we can’t have lights at Xmas. My husband asked what the issue was and they said the flashing. My husband said the current lights that are up do not flash and there is no flash option. The called him a liar. He invited them to come and look at them in the garage to prove it to them but they refused. My husband said that we will make sure the lights at Xmas (which are warm white for those asking) will be on the static setting. They said no, we need to not have them at all. My husband said we will have the lights on our house because it is our house. The man then called my husband a fucking <racial slur> and told him to ‘go home’. My husband said would you like the opportunity to apologise for your racist comments and they said no and walked off. This is all captured on camera.

Our son thinks we should go to the police but my husband said just leave it and unfortunately he has dealt with worse racism, which I know he has as I’ve been with him when he has received it. I’m really fucking angry. He’s quiet.

We have spoken to the couple next door as they text when they heard the neighbours shouting at us, to ask if we were ok. I’ve explained what has happened which was awkward as they are both British but from the same heritage as my husband. This couple have actually done a few jobs to help the racist couple out but said they won’t be doing that again. They are also going to tell the couple next to them about the racism as they are also non white although different heritage.

They are racist bastards and we won’t be talking to them again. So that’s us and at least 2, possibly 3 sets of neighbours who don’t like them because of their moaning and now racist comments.

I’ve asked my husband to please consider reporting this with the footage we have. Our children are also not white and I feel it’s important to show them that we will not accept this for them even if my husband can brush it aside.

We have joked that we’ll be having our lights on the fastest flashing setting we can find this Christmas. Our next door neighbours have said they’ll put lights up from now on. I don’t know if they will but it was nice of them to show their support.

Wow op, that's a shocker! Horrible racist wankers.

Just wondering, can you get a speaker to connect with your lights and play Christmas music with the lights flashing in time? I think they'd really like that 🎄

Bargarran · Today 14:15

Racism, the only card left to play. Anyway, garlands, wreaths, and lights in September? What are you ancient druids or pagans? 😂

Drknittingfrog · Today 14:17

What an awful situation. I would absolutely go and speak to the police to report the situation. Hopefully they will be able to advise you or have a word. Sending strength and non flashy lights!

fiveyo · Today 14:18

I'd go BIG with the Christmas lights this year OP

Blummingorgeous · Today 14:19

Ignore my post just read yr updates!

GoodkneeBadKnee · Today 14:19

Marellain · Today 14:00

Do you think that racists arent people that deserve to live in peace? Are you so conditioned that you think racism means people arent fellow human beings ?!

Demonising beliefs you don’t like isn’t working in our society is it? Feminists have to live alongside Muslim families where the women are barely allowed to open the door or be seen. Does that mean feminists should harass Muslims with flashing lights?

I think everyone should be allowed to live in peace. Do you?

tipsyraven · Today 14:20

MeetMeOnTheCorner · Yesterday 22:57

Lights now? Antisocial and awful. 2 weeks over Christmas is enough. Is she supposed to sit with her curtains closed! You would be my idea of neighbours from hell. Just be kind to
your neighbours!

This.

GoodkneeBadKnee · Today 14:21

Bargarran · Today 14:15

Racism, the only card left to play. Anyway, garlands, wreaths, and lights in September? What are you ancient druids or pagans? 😂

Is the "racism card" similar to the "migraine card"?

GoodkneeBadKnee · Today 14:22

tipsyraven · Today 14:20

This.

🤔

Bargarran · Today 14:24

GoodkneeBadKnee · Today 14:21

Is the "racism card" similar to the "migraine card"?

Yes, alongside the 'autism card' and 'anxiety card'. Overused nonsense, half the time.

GoodkneeBadKnee · Today 14:25

Bargarran · Today 14:24

Yes, alongside the 'autism card' and 'anxiety card'. Overused nonsense, half the time.

Gotcha.

Bargarran · Today 14:36

GoodkneeBadKnee · Today 14:25

Gotcha.

It is, though.

iwishitwouldstartraining · Today 14:37

Bargarran · Today 14:15

Racism, the only card left to play. Anyway, garlands, wreaths, and lights in September? What are you ancient druids or pagans? 😂

Somebody who shops at Home Bargains or TK Maxx?

Like it or not, plenty of British people decorate their houses throughout the year and light their gardens.

LollyWillow · Today 14:42

I am shocked by this OP and am so sorry that you are going through this - both the abuse from your neighbours and some of the comments on this thread.
I think that this is something that could escalate. Please talk to the police. You may not wish to make a formal report this time, but I doubt it will be the last time and it is worth ensuring that there is a formal record. You must also save the doorbell footage and I would also take photographs of the lights.

GingerLeopard · Today 14:46

Please do report it to the police, make sure you share the video with them. Who knows how nasty these people could turn and it could be good to have police already aware in case anything else happens in the future.
As for the lights - please watch Deck the Halls with Danny DeVito this Christmas and take some tips from him. Make it a light show to remember!

LittleMi55Nobody · Today 14:46

AutumnLighting · Yesterday 22:51

We moved into our house just before Christmas last year. We are one of 6 houses on a lane in an u shape and our house is directly opposite one of the other houses. All of the houses are set back so we are not close to the houses opposite.

When we moved in last year, we put up lights on our house and in two of our trees at the front of our house as well as 2 nutcrackers and a Christmas wreath on the door. Nothing garish, just white lights. Every time we saw the neighbours opposite they would comment on the lights and decorations. They said things like that’s is a lot of lights, did you leave any in the shop for anyone else, we certainly can’t miss you etc. We took the lights down in January.

This is now our first autumn in the house and my husband has put up some lights along the front of the house, a garland around the front door and a wreath on the door. We went out for the evening and have come home to a note from the neighbour opposite which said she doesn’t like the lights, none of the past neighbours have ever put them up and that the lights will give her migraines like the ones we put up at Christmas did. She would like us to remove the lights.

How do we respond to this? My husband thinks we just ignore it but I said she will talk to us when we see her if we don’t go over and talk to her about it. He said he’ll tell her not to look at the lights. What would you say? We obviously plan to put the lights up for Christmas again this year so that isn’t going to go down well either.

We know she has moaned about other things to some of the other neighbours like their grandchildren playing outside on their bikes so she seems to be a moaner.

Edited by MNHQ to add a Cancel The Cheque Klaxon: this thread has moved on quite a lot so it's worth reading through all the OP's posts before replying

i have an olive tree with lights on in my front garden..i love to see a bit of sparkle all year round..id leave them up x