DilemmaWIMB. The road we've moved into is full of elderly couples, who have all clearly known each

[Berni]

other for years. They have been very kind and even put 'New Home' cards through the door to acknowledge our arrival. Obviously, where possible, we have thanked them for their kindness, but all this familiarity with one's neighbours makes me rather uncomfortable.

They are clearly used to knocking on our door and being in and out of each other's houses, but I really don't want to encourage that attitude. I want to be polite and nice, but maintain distance.

Yesterday evening, I found the next-door neighbour standing on a ladder (I assume), leaning over the fence and tapping on my back door with a long pole (Ooo-er, missus) in order to tell me which day was bin day. I'm not happy about that sort of intrusion, but don't want to be rude, so how do I go about putting the barriers up while being reasonably neighbourly? I don't want to be friends with these people, but don't want to offend.

[Classic Jorge]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

They're as thick-skinned as rhinos, this sort. Subtelty is going to get you nowhere.

I suggest, 'f**k off and die' as an opening gambit.

[PSRB]

once the novelty of new neighbours has worn off.

[Berni]

At which point, I'm going to have to be rude, I fear. :-(

[Berni]

[Mo Britain less Europe]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Yes, I am going to run around your garden butt nekkid.

[Berni]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

A housewarming / welcome to the street etc.

Drink, drugs, you know the score. No hookers, don't want to offend them.

Tell them then. Many a truth spoken in drunkenness.

Take bin pole person to one side, away from any prying ears, and basically threaten him.


Glad to help. Let me know how you get on.

[Luis Anaconda]

[the splendor of antigone]

every morning. Should do the trick imo.

[devongunner]

Parade naked and once they see the size of your todger they will soon lose interest. Although in my case one lovely lady neighbour did say . Shall I put it in and you can try walking towards me.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

I used to live amongst hoi polloi la. I remember the issues faced by ordinary people.

[Luis Anaconda]

[Snin]

they wont come within 100 meters ..or maybe put up an irish flag ?

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

No community.

"f**k off and die". Indeed.

[Rich]

We went out of politeness (they also refused our offer of wine) and it turned out they were all Salvation Army people who didn't drink alcohol.

The fridge was full of Schloer :-( We get invited every summer now but never attend.

Fortunately our property is set quite far away from any other. However, these people have been known to open the 5 bar gates and trespass on our property to invite us to a meeting at the Church hall :-(

[7evens]

I expect they'll be lots of blokes called Ken and Les buffing their cars on a sunday morning.
Some of them may be retired greengrocers. They may even own a seaside caravan..

[Berni]

signalled me to wind my window down and started with 'Are you going to park there, then?', followed by a recommendation of the local Italian restaurant.

'Are you going to park there, then?' Of course I am. It's my f**king driveway. Cheeky old c**t.

[Berni]

I remember someone pulling out a bottle that looked like wine, only for my heart to sink as it dawned on me that it was Schloer. :cry:

What is wrong with these people? Longest two hours of my life imo.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

In this respect I am not really English, as I favour an open door policy and encourage unannounced visits from friends, but I can quite understand b's concerns.

[Berni]

[Berni]

And I don't care whether you would regard it as an intrusion or not. I would.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

In the spring and summer months it is a weekly ritual, both cars. Out comes the buckets, hose, sponges etc and off he goes.

Then they drive them for a few days and off he goes again.

Meanwhile there is me, 10 yards away. I have never ever hand washed a motor car. It is why those machines exist in petrol garages, or indeed why the small oriental man at the shopping centre exists for the twice yearly valet.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

I suppose a lot depends on how one defines 'friend', of course. :sniff:

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

"f**k off Terry" as you carefully maneuvered your car into the allotted space and went about your business.

Curt, but polite.

[Jake]

(child).

[Rich]

He even made wine from water, IIRC.

[Luis Anaconda]

Probably had a few pints of cider when he visited Glastonbury with JoA

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

They can f**k right off in that case.

Friend or foe.

[Berni]

No, this is about my bizarre English bourgeois hang-ups. The mere idea that my presence might be an annoyance or in any way unwelcome makes me squirm with embarrassment.

[Berni]

that by 'wine', the Bible means 'grape juice'. :hehe:

The fact that this is demonstrably historical nonsense seems to bother them not one jot.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

According to my Ma people would drop by every night and there would be great craic with impromtue ceilidhing and that :snore:

[Classic Jorge]

[Berni]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Now our evenings are jam packed with social networking, paninis and coffee that is not instant.

You need to catch up Granddad.

[Berni]

http://www.metalsucks.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Lamb-of-god-band-pic.jpg

[the splendor of antigone]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Not that I'm doubting the absolute verisimilitude of her recollections, of course. But, apart from anything else, the 'house' they lived in was about 8 miles from the nearest civilisation.

[Classic Jorge]

http://www.wurwaldesign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/holly2.jpg

[Berni]

:-D

[Luis Anaconda]

[Hillary]