We just moved into our new house Dec 1, and I had a baby 6 weeks ago. Our very friendly next door neighbours introduced themselves right away… and now they are at our door every second day for this and that. They look in the front door window and knock loudly; if I don’t make it to the door right away, they knock louder. We are extremely busy and extremely tired. On New Year’s Day the husband was at our door looking for a jump start; I was in my PJs with a crying baby in my arms and my husband was napping, but after asking me to wake my husband, he stood in my door waiting rather than go outside.. His wife came by the day after Boxing Day, solely for the purpose of asking for our home number, cell numbers, and a copy of our front door key ( in case we ever lock ourselves out), which I refused!
My problem is that while I don’t want to be rude- these are kind, middle aged, harmless people who are trying to be friendly- I DO NOT want them at my door without calling us first! I don’t want anyone dropping by unless it is family or best friends, which they wouldn’t do anyway without calling first. I am a private person and don’t appreciate being forced to the door in with bird’s nest hair and nothing but a robe on because someone won’t stop knocking and I don’t want the baby to wake up. These people have lived on this street for 21 years and I’m wondering why do they need to ask US for a jump start as opposed to the other several friendly people in the street. – Want My Privacy
Persistent neighbours
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After moving back to NS – my real estate agent here smartly advised me that his number one tip would be not to get too friendly, too fast with my neighbours – in any community here – becuase people here are generally over the top with their good intentions and eventually will lead to resentment and a sense of entitlement from them.
After one of your 3:00am feedings, pop over and knock till you get them up and ask if they have any AA batteries, for your tv remote. That should drive home your point.
You could always get a dog
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CO-bTbnQHOo/TfgC…
Nip this in the bud immediately. The next time the neighbour comes over, ask him to respect your privacy as a new mother and to back off for the time being. If you haven’t got the stomach for confrontation, simply ignore the door, ignore the persistent pounding but continue walking around the house to make sure they know you’re home and not fucking answering. If they don’t back off, call the fuzz and tell ’em you’re being harrassed. There’s no excuse for putting up with a shitty neighbour.
Tell them exactly what you wrote here. Don’t be a wimp. NEVER EVER give your key to someone you don’t know. A lot of criminals appear to be nice and come of all ages.
I’m like this too I pretty have an anxiety attack if someone knocks unexpectedly, I used to be too afraid to even look out the peephole of our first apartment. I have two toddlers so my house and personal appearance are usually not fit to be seen unless I’m expecting company. Peering in the window is just fucking rude and would really piss me off, I would put a curtian up.
Tell them that you appreciate their friendliness and don’t want to hurt their feelings but you’re adjusting to your new baby and new home and need some time to settle yourself and baby into a routine. Just find a polite way to let them know they should call first.
If you are genuinely interested in getting to know them you could have them over for dinner or something when you’re settled in.
Next time, answer the door in an overly exasperated manner holding an open, baby shit-filled diaper. Hand it to them and tell them to “Hold this” as you go and wake hubby/retrieve whatever it is they are asking to borrow from you. Take your time. Don’t rush at it.
works on the jehovahs
The reason why they are pestering you is because everyone else in the neighbourhood probably told them to fuck off.
I had a neighbor like this when I lived in Fairview. I never wanted to answer my door anyway because god knows what freaks would be at my door on the lower part of Main Ave. But this lady was so persistant she would slip notes under my door if I didn’t answer And knock on my bedroom window (I lived basement level). It got to the point where i just opened my door and actually just said FUCK OFF. she called me a bad neighbor for the remaining time i was there.
You know another great thing about living out in the boonies ?
Its over 500 yards to the nearest neighbors house ~:)
…where no-one can hear you scream
Very Simple…………FUCK OFF
Are they sort of like these guys?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082801/
I don’t agree with your neighbors behavior… however something does piss me off… people who expect you to advise them hours or days or weeks in advance to say you are stopping in for a visit. I have a brother like this. He will allow (tolerate) family (mom, brothers) to stay in his house; if in town for a few days visit… but… he insists that everybody has to be out of the house and the doors locked (and never offer a key) before he leaves for work. Nobody allowed in his house while he and his wife are away working. He does this even to our own mother. What’s up with that? Do you think your mom or brothers are going to rob you? Perhaps snoop through your dresser drawers and find your BDSM gear or something? Seriously… I could care less and won’t shadow your doorstep myself… you knob… but to do that to your mom???? That’s just fucked. The day I have to make an appointment to visit a friend is the day I stop visiting that “friend”.
tape a note to your front door saying that because of the new baby, you are catching sleep whenever you get a chance and PLEASE DO NOT KNOCK – LEAVE A NOTE. make it a very large note. and if they knock anyway, tell them you are exhausted and cannot deal with whatever it is ‘right now’ . you must get them ‘trained’ before summer comes or you will be trapped in your own home trying to avoid being caught in the yard by them.
good luck with this – it’s happened to me and i was insane from lack of sleep.
Otherwise known as Pains in the Ass. I am a quiet person who doesn’t appreciate anyone knocking at my door and coming in for hours to suck back coffee. I would just let them knock until their fingers fell off. They will get the hint eventually. Some people can’t take no for an answer. Once you let them in they are there until They decide to go home. Nope not happening in my world. Stay the hell away unless you are invited. By me.
Euch.. your mistake was you let is slide the first time.
Sorry, is this the Dear Abby column?
No Meaty. This is the Bitch column. Aren’t you paying attention?
“We’re very busy and tired and would appreciate if you don’t come by without calling/only come by when it’s extremely important”.
Have you tried that yet or are you just skipping over the obvious approach for the sake of a bitch?
Calamity it’s difficult to word it on a way that is polite. The kast thing OP needs is them going door to door telling everyone the new neighbors are assholes. You don’t fly your asshole flag first thing in a new neighborhood.
if you plan on living there for a while, it’s always best to play nice. never let them in your house if you can help it, but they’re probably lonely
so op, how’s it going? any improvement? were any of the suggestions here helpful?
Neighbors are handy for calling the police/fire department if something is funny about your place, though.
Hey! we were just trying to be neighbourly and when I asked for a boost, “and stood there” I really had an emergency! I thought we could be friends – I guess I was wrong you little pratt.