Abusive neighbour

[mljw]

So, I live in a semi-retirement complex in SW England. I have to share communal areas including a launderette. I work in East London during the week which means I don't get back in time to use this after I count the time I travel back. So I use limited time at the launderette. Today I saw an empty machine (out of four available). There was a bag on top but nobody in the room so instinctively I put my washing on. One of my male neighbours comes in about ten minutes afterwards, and starts moaning to me saying it is 'my washing machine' that I've been waiting 3 times to use it....and so forth. I said that I'm sorry but surely it's first come, first served. I then get abuse where he tells me to 'fuck off' after I tell him I pay service charge too and calls me a 'karen' before coming back four times whilst I am waiting in silence to finish my load. He then tries to take my stuff out the machine, but I tell him 'don't touch my clothes.' I have now reported him to the house manager. How do I deal with this bully?

Wow, misogyny and abuse. How awful to have to live there knowing you could bump into him at any time.

Is there any way to draw up a rota that would suit everyone?

The short and the long of it is if he's not prepared to wait to put a load on, neither should anyone else be. You were there, the machine was free, so you used it.
The best response to him would be to ignore if you can, but if not, tell him to report you to the manager if he has a problem, and that you're not going to discuss it further. If he carries on, get your phone out and film him.

Well, husband and I are buying our own washing machine/dryer in our flat. The irony is I didn't before out of consideration for the vibration in our block! This pig of a guy came back four times and said he would report me for reading in the launderette (he told me to use the lounge). Only met him once before at a christmas party. Reported it to manager. He apparently has a reputation for being nasty to the women on the block. He asked them to move their furniture from his view outside the flats. My husband wants to hit him - of course, I advised against it.

What a knob. If you encounter him again, don't engage at all. Clearly he's got nothing to do if he's complaining about you...GASP....reading!

Good job you're getting your own machine. You can buy a thick rubber pad to go under it to absorb sound and vibration. Good luck!

it seems that you are very unlucky to meet him, first of all a man whose behavior is very rude and unpleasant, you can talk to the building manager or use measures to ask for security or policeman, i hate but grumbling man
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