Neighbour annoyed at me for asking her not to collect our washing in.

[Firefliesdancing]

I arrived home today to find the washing had disappeared off the line that I’d put out this morning before work. It had rained heavy but I wasn’t too worried as I knew the weather was going to be scorching hot so they would be dry regardless. No note had been left, so looked on our cctv to find the neighbour over the back garden had got her husband to climb over on some ladders and take them in after peering in our back patio doors after realising we wern’t in.

We’ve only spoke to these neighbours a handful of times. It has made us feel slightly uncomfortable as I hate the thought of someone else handling my underwear/clothes/bedding. We went round with a small box of chocolates to say thanks and retrieve them. We asked them not to do it again politely and just leave them out as we have a drier if they can’t get dry naturally, thanked them again and left.

Unfortunately they are smokers (we are not) so our clothes had a whiff of stale smoke on them so rinsed them back through and put them back on the line as it was still boiling hot outside all dried within the hour. Knock on the door 20 minutes later after I’d taken them in. I assumed something was left so wasn’t expecting her to start having a go on the doorstep saying we’re not dirty you know, we did you a favour, not everyone is as nice as us we like to do things for people.

I was a bit taken aback so just said I’m sorry we’re trying to put the kids to bed, again thank you for your kindness and closed the door.

Does anyone else find this behaviour bizarre…maybe it’s the heat, I’m tired and I’ve missed something…is it the norm for people you don’t really know to collect your washing in when it rains?

She sounds like a vindictive lunatic to me. What an absolute weirdo! Good that the others can see it too.

I have a vague memory of my mum and the nextdoor neighbour helping each other out if it was raining and washing left on the line... but not in finite details and it was 30 odd years ago.

I wonder if this is a generational difference?

Personally, if it was raining and next doors washing was out then I might text if I thought they were out - and then offer to bring in if they said they're out.

But... we've known them for over a decade.

Would I want them to do the same? Mmm I'd like to be asked first!

And this makes me wonder if it is generational. We use texts for lots of things now but 25-30 years ago didn’t have this as an option so much.

For me: it's the fact you don't see them as close neighbours: there's no texting, you only see them to say hello that would make me think they should have left this alone.

Climbing over the fence on a ladder feels a bit too much to me, but I could thank them for it.

I also understand why you re-washed it (I would have had to also) but it is a bit awkward putting it back on the line for them to potentially see - please note: I'm not saying you shouldn't: it's your washing!!

Her coming round afterwards, it's overstepping the personal boundaries in my opinion.

I dont think you're in the wrong: I do think this might be generational/cultural. I'd have wanted a text. If you've not got my number to text me, please don't bring my washing in.

That’s scarily invasive…I have the opposite issue my anti social and entitled neighbour is more likely to ‘soak’ my washing that’s left out 🙈