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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To reject this invite from a new neighbour?

233 replies

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 13/03/2009 01:24

Maybe I'm being a grump but I find it a bit confrontational. I'm confused as to what they mean too. They posted it through my door today, I haven't even seen them yet (they have moved in four doors up).

Hiya Neighbour

On 24th of March our building work will be over and we will be good to go. If you could drop round with housewarmers between 3pm and 7pm we would be happy to offer a glass of wine.

Kind Regards
X and X

OP posts:
FAQinglovely · 13/03/2009 09:46

lol @ how this thread has gone from a "are the being really rude to a"

where do they come from and do they use local lingo, their own or a mix

I still find myself coming out with "yarr" for yes after living in Zim for 2 1/2yrs lol

smugaboo · 13/03/2009 09:49

You know what used to really confuse me when I was in the UK - when people would say "alright?" as a greeting rather than a question. I never knew how to respond. Do I reply or say "alright?" back?

(bugging me for years)

Original poster
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 13/03/2009 09:50

I tend to nod and say alright back. Usually in a cockney kind of way.

awwwight darling?

OP posts:
FAQinglovely · 13/03/2009 09:51

smug - I took 2 1/2yrs to adjust to

"now now" (straight away) and "just now" (a some point probably in the next few hours) when living in Zim - then it became natural to me and used it constantly - now I get confused back in the UK when people say "just now" and I dilly dally around and they're expecting it to be done straight away

smugaboo · 13/03/2009 09:54

lol FAQ - different concepts of time.

TDWP - is it too much to do a cockney dance at the same time?

slug · 13/03/2009 09:55

Let me translate from Australasian for you.

Hi Neighbours

Thanks for putting up with the noise and disruprion. We are having a party to celebrate the end of the building. Come along, bring some wine if you want to, and take this opportunity to have a nosey at the improvements, meet us and have a face to face apology for inconvenience we caused you.

Morloth · 13/03/2009 09:58

When we lived in Singapore an enquiry as to how you are feeling was: "Have you had lunch yet?"

I was confused a lot of the time in Singapore. But I kind of expected that.

What really knocked me for six was how different Australia and Britain were, prior to living here I thought we had pretty much the same culture, but apparently not.

basic · 13/03/2009 09:58

I would take this as clumsy not thought out but then again they could be just plain cheeky and I would really see it as we want to show off so bring some food and we will bulk buy cheep drinks. Would nip in and out just to nosey in case it helps with ideas - well they are cheeky so why not!

Sassybeast · 13/03/2009 09:58

How strange. People being 'friendly' and inviting you around for a drink ? I'd ring social services or Ofstead or sommat I would suspect that English may not be their first language. Go with the flow - what's the worst that can happen ? They don't let you in because you haven't brought the right pressie ?

mrsravi · 13/03/2009 10:01

Just take a chance and go eh? You might even enjoy it(gasp) LOL

LouMacca · 13/03/2009 10:05

I would definitely say that drop round with housewarmers means bring something with you. Just another way of putting BYOB!!

If they have had loads of building work done maybe they can't afford to supply drinks for everyone they have invited

Blu · 13/03/2009 10:08

Reply thus:

Neighbours:
Sorry, I will not be attending your event. This is because I am a grumpy unfriendly Londoner and will be upholding this stereotype by engaging in half muttered greetings of 'morning' should we be caught in the embarrassing situation of passing in the street for at least 3 months. I realise that this means that should I be locked out, or being followed by a strange man, you will not recognise me and will therefore pass by on the other side, but that's declining community cohesion for you, isn't it?
Yours,
TDWP.

Original poster
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 13/03/2009 10:10

Read the thread before bitching ffs.

OP posts:
Blu · 13/03/2009 10:17

Ha ha - in AIBU??
FFS!

Wake up with a short fuse this morning, TDWP?

Anyway - glad you ARE going.

But tbh I was shocked at how many people quicky also took umbrage on your behalf. Makes me sad.

ScottishMummy · 13/03/2009 10:24

they sound smashing and trying to be friendly.free bevvy,get in there pronto

have a wee nosy at the building work

housewarmer=bring some wine

OrmIrian · 13/03/2009 10:30

Housewarmers?

They want you to fit radiators? Now that's a bit excessive. Flowers maybe, a new home card, perhaps....

TiggyR · 13/03/2009 10:30

I think the sentiment is a genuine and friendly one, but the wording is really bizarre! They are basically telling you that you are obliged to bring them a welcome gift of some sort, and in return they will, out of the goodness of their hearts, give you a glass of wine. Actually the more I think about this the more it makes me laugh! Are they English? They may just have an unusual/misguided grasp of colloquial speech.

Either way, I'd go - just out of curiosity. They sound fascinating!

Oblomov · 13/03/2009 10:30

odd phrasing. but take it to mean, please bring 'snacks'.

thumbwitch · 13/03/2009 10:31

are they Australian? Sounds like the sort of thing they'd write.

Oblomov · 13/03/2009 10:33

Oh nooooo. just realised that parrrrttttyyy isn't till 24th. we have to wait another 2 weeks to find out the update on this. bummer.

thumbwitch · 13/03/2009 10:37

not if we can persuade TDWP to drop round there with a bunch of firewood ahead of time and check on the origins of said neighbours - or perhaps she could hang around outside to "accidentally" bump into one, or even take her pleasantly worded (in impeccable English) reply back in person and ring the bell!

TDWP - I must admit I read the housewarmers thing to mean they were already having a housewarming party with other housewarmers and were just inviting you to go along and join in - but you might want to take a couple of bags of doritos (or something) with you to be on the safe side.

ScottishMummy · 13/03/2009 10:38

too much analysis of friendly innocuous invite

hark at you lot

how very dare they boss me about
oh my very goodness what do they mean
Are they English
what do they expect
is it a command or request
housewarmers how very gauche of them

unclench.enjoy

WorzselMummage · 13/03/2009 10:38

sounds like a suggestion of taking alcohol and pringles to me

TiggyR · 13/03/2009 10:38

That gives the OP plenty of time to spy on them, and do research on what exactly is a houswarmer? I would hedge my bets and take a friend, a bottle and a gift. Can't go wrong!

TiggyR · 13/03/2009 10:39

LOL at Scottishmummy - yes, all of those thoughts went through my mind!