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Original poster

AIBU re this odd request from neighbours?

485 replies

yorkshapudding · 02/08/2015 16:51

Our NDN's came over to tell us that they are having some work done in their back garden starting tomorrow- having a fence built, some trees cut down, rubbish cleared etc. They estimate it will be about two full days work, possibly more. They then told us that they were going away and would not be back until after the job has finished. They explained that they don't want to leave the workmen a key for "security reasons" so this means they will have no power source to plug tools in, no access to a bathroom or kettle etc. so would we be in and if so would we mind 'helping out' with those things.

I explained that DH will be at work and while I am actually off work for the next couple of days, I will have various errands, things to do, want to take DC out etc. so will be in and out of the house. They then asked when I was planning on going out so they could let their workmen know and saying "oh don't worry, they'll work around you". I told them that I hadn't made firm plans and didn't know when I would be going out. To be honest I don't really want to be tied to a schedule and I also don't like the idea of three strange men traipsing around my house for two days. I told them that I was sorry but they needed to either provide them with a key or arrange for the work to be done at a time when they would be home as we couldn't be on hand for two days to provide cups of tea, electricity and access to bathroom facilities etc.

Although they were polite, I got the distinct feeling that NDN's thought I was being mean and not very neighbourly.

AIBU or is it a bit much to expect me to accommodate all this? Initially I thought they were being cheeky (they don't want to leave these men a key but I should just open my house up to them!) and that it was a bit of a strange request but due to their reaction (they seemed quite surprised that I said no) I'm now doubting myself. They are generally quite annoying neighbours, nothing too awful just a bit noisy and inconsiderate at times, so I don't trust myself to be objective!

OP posts:
limitedperiodonly · 04/08/2015 18:14

BTW I always think about that incident whenever people on MN talk about whether inverted snobbery exists or not.

TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 04/08/2015 18:33

Oh that's horrible, limited
Your poor DH Sad

GinLimeandLemonade · 04/08/2015 18:36

Oh Limited, what utter bastards Sad

PHANTOMnamechanger · 04/08/2015 18:38

Gosh that's grim! What horrible people they must have been to do that at all, never mind when he had been so nice to them! I had one kitchen fitter embarrassed and terribly apologetic about asking to use the loo, explaining that he had colitis, and that was why he had refused all offers of tea/coffee too. I did not mind at all, my nan has it so i understood, and my DD has coeliac and was prone to sudden urges to go. Poor chap was mortified about having to ask.

PHANTOMnamechanger · 04/08/2015 18:40

I suppose I should be forever grateful he did not leave a turd under a kitchen unit, leaving me forever bleaching the drain and wondering WTF is that smell! Grin

OOAOML · 04/08/2015 18:41

I wonder if NDNs would have expected you to leave your keys with the builders whilst you were at work?Wink

TattyDevine · 04/08/2015 18:47

Borrowing leccy from a NDN when you have none is different to buggering off on holiday. Our neighbours leccy went off and they had a freezer full of stuff, so we gave them a power source till it was back on (a couple of hours) and they pressed a bottle of wine into our reluctant hands Grin

That's how its done! But this is different! Wine

limitedperiodonly · 04/08/2015 18:54

It was humiliating. He was utterly bewildered and embarrassed. I felt so sorry for him. And furious. He's probably forgotten it now but to the end of my days I want to do them serious damage for hurting him.

I don't want to bring the thread down though.

So OP's neighbours' builders crapping in the garden might be a different matter Wink

LavenderLeigh · 04/08/2015 19:08

This thread is just sheer perfection, with the weeping bicycle monkeys, sunbathing builders and a cheeky NDN about to get a shock when she returns, hoping all the noisy/dirty work is completed!

Apart from the sly-shitters and limited's poor DH.

acatcalledjohn · 04/08/2015 19:09

Who knows, free manure for the plants that had to be cut back...

TheReluctantCountess · 04/08/2015 19:19

Limited, that's awful. Nasty people.

Original poster
yorkshapudding · 04/08/2015 19:25

Limited, that's horrible, what utter bastards Sad Your DH sounds lovely.

Well, I'm glad that you all find my NDN's fuckwittery so entertaining Grin DH and I do find them quite entertaining as well as annoying, I must admit. Just before christmas they had a row and she locked him out of the house in his dressing gown. His dressing gown which, incidentally, could have done with being a bit longer. DH was taking out the rubbish and NDN was trying to act all nonchalant, like he just fancied chilling out in the garden in his dressing gown, in December Grin

OP posts:
PLUtoPlanet · 04/08/2015 19:41

"chilling" in his dressing gown Grin Was it +5C, like a fridge?

mayaknew · 04/08/2015 19:43

GrinGrinGrinGrin
Op I want to move across the street from you . You can stay next door to them though GrinGrin

limitedperiodonly · 04/08/2015 19:46

Thanks for your good wishes everyone but I don't want to make it all about DH Grin They were utter bastards though.

OP this thing with your neighbours could run and run.

Unfortunately. Wink

seagreengirl · 04/08/2015 19:49

Oh this thread has been so funny, just like one of those old sit coms from the 70s set in suburbia starring Richard Briers or the like.

Sorry yorkshapudding I do realise that it is your real life. But thanks for the laughs anyway Smile

seagreengirl · 04/08/2015 19:51

Yes apart from the incident with your DH limited, horrible.

PageNotFound404 · 04/08/2015 19:51

Shameless place marking.

limited that's awful Sad I hope they were both sprayed with slurry by a passing farmer on their way home.

Nonnainglese · 04/08/2015 19:52

Limited, that is utterly sick - I'd have been tempted to pack it up and post it them saying they'd 'left something behind', your poor DH.

Thanking my lucky stars I have wonderful neighbours as I read this thread with a sense of incredulity Smile

TwoTwentyGowerRoad · 04/08/2015 20:19

Sits munching popcorn and dragging on a carton of Kia Ora. Not place marking at all Hmm Grin

BrienneofQarth · 04/08/2015 20:19

This thread is amazing! Can't wait to see what the unreasonable ndn comes back with tomorrow!

TheReluctantCountess · 04/08/2015 20:30

Kia Ora! That's old skool Grin

MintJulip · 04/08/2015 20:37

It's all too fabulous. Especially the detour into weeping bicycle monkeys

Isnt it just - delicious - yes thank you op! cheered me up no end, cheeky feckers.

Limited - down loaded - am being very thick, what does this mean>

MintJulip · 04/08/2015 20:39

i wouldn't feel angry about whatever the down load was though, just think of your DH beautiful shining innocence and their dirty shifty nasty brains that would think such things and feel sorry for their wives and dc, and ever thankful for your DH.

whoreandpeace · 04/08/2015 22:02

Shuffle up, I need to sit down and wait for what happens when NDNs arrive back tomorrow next installment.

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