How do you deal with 'curtain twitchers'

BugglyB

I've just bought my first house and am really enjoying living there - just moved in a week ago. When I first arrived with my first car load of 'stuff' the neighbours popped out to introduce themselves, an elderly couple and they were very friendly. The gentlemen did say 'oh yes you were here last week in your <colour> <make of car> weren't you' which I thought was odd but just agreed.

Since then I have noticed they really do curtain twitch! You can see the curtains move every time you pull up in the car or come home! I saw the lady yesterday and she said 'we noticed you go out really early, what do you do for work?' and 'the guy down the street and his wife keep their curtains drawn really late'! I was laughing with my friend saying I bet they are writing in their little book '5.55am, female leaves on bicycle'!

Just wondered if anyone had any hints or tips for dealing with these types or funny stories. I have to say they seem very nice, and I dont intend on being rude to them, but its a bit much from moving from a flat where my only neighbour completely ignored me!

sooz

Wave

and be grateful the neighbours take an interest...free neighbourhood watch!

BitterAndTwisted

Keep your distance: be polite but don't give them any more information about you and your life than you have to. They might seem a bit intrusive now but they possibly have too much time on their hands. You might think that they're a bit nosey right now but should anyone attempt to break into your property you can be absolutely certain that they will be straight on the phone to the police.

Ginger_Poodle

In all honesty, I think I would...

1. Be glad (hope) that I had not moved in next to nutters
2. Be glad that, if I was broken in to or vandalised, there would be two fabulous witnesses
3. Be glad that there will always be someone to take deliveries in for me when I am out

As annoying as this sort of thing can sometimes be, I think the good outweighs the bad quite significantly.

Enjoy your new home x

donnap83

I've got neighbours like that, that live next door but one. We got a note shoved through the door early one evening (when we were in!) Asking that my partner to not park his work van on the street as it obstructs their view!! The van is taxed etc, so hes perfectly intitled to park where ever he pleases. They're just peeved that they couldn't be nosey!!!!

tanith

It can be a bit annoying as sooz says it pays to have nosy neighbours sometimes, I have to own up to a bit of curtain twitching myself even though I don't have any (curtains I mean), but I also take in parcels, let in workmen and meter readers, keep an eye on the dog and keep a friendly eye out when I know my neighbours are away... so I think the nice things I do outweigh the annoyance factor... but then you'd have to ask my neighbours to see if they agree...lol

Imp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKhbUjVyKIc

jjww_2

The elderly lady who lives across the road from me is like this. Just beware because after being absolutely lovelywhen we first moved in nine years ago she quickly went to being overbearing and nasty when we would not rise to gossiping about other neighbours etc.

However like has already been said you know your house is going to be well guarded.

Just be polite but not overly friendly, and don't get drawn into conversations about mrs such and such at number 22.

Enjoy your new home!:o

jjww_2

donnap83 wrote: »

I've got neighbours like that, that live next door but one. We got a note shoved through the door early one evening (when we were in!) Asking that my partner to not park his work van on the street as it obstructs their view!! The van is taxed etc, so hes perfectly intitled to park where ever he pleases. They're just peeved that they couldn't be nosey!!!!

Brilliant. I just burst out laughing when I read that.

xoxo_2

Just be grateful you don't live next door to my Gran! We get a phone call whenever something "interesting" happens - for example Mr X over the road cuts his grass, Mrs Y next door gets the bus on her own to tesco (She's about 90, it's a big thing, but not really worth calling the family over! ) or something similar.

I think it's just something old people do, through boredom or loneliness perhaps. Don't think there's anything you can do about it, it keeps them occupied. I know it can be quite odd, but it can also be a good thing too. One afternoon the old man who used to live next to my gran collapsed behind his car on his driveway, because of her nosing out the window she was able to call 999 and get him some help rather than him be lying there until someone walked past and noticed. You'll be glad of your curtain twitching neighbours if anything happens to your car/house and you don't see it too

Grin and bear it, they won't be there forever - and it's nice to have friend neighbours you can chat to sometimes!

Steel_2

I would be polite, but don't tell them all your business.

I have two elderly neighbours whose houses back onto the bottom of my garden. The female neighbour was complaining to me about her 94 yr old male neighbour's curtain twitching all the time.

A few days ago he told her he had seen her go out early in the morning and then go out again in the afternoon again. He wanted to know where she was going because she didn't normally do that.

She told him to mind his own business, then said "Give him another minute and he will be outside to see what we were doing."

Sure enough, curtain twitched at the back and out he shuffled.

"What are you two doing? What are you talking about? Don't you have homes to go to?"

Then to me "Have you lost your job? Why are you home during the day?"

"It's Saturday Arthur..."

"That's no excuse...idle."

Two minutes later he's back out again and says to me: "You work too hard. Where's your husband?"

:rotfl: