Gossipy neighbour-help

hollydays

I have an elderly neighbour.I always say hello,but she always turns the conversation to putting down one (or any) of her neighbours,in a loud voice,or telling me their business on the rare ocasions she knows it.I dont really want to be party to this.It not just occasionally but several times a week if she manages to catch me going out of the house.I just nod and go mm.Anyone else had this problem.Should I carry on as I am or should i make some subtle comment.

elona

I think that if you make some subtle comment then it will go over her head or else she will get in a huff with you.

I would just carry on not encouraging it without making an issue of it.

samcantcope

I would be tempted to make a subtle comment that you prefer to tell people what you think of them rather than behind their back, then he/she will gossip about you to other people, while they are gossiping about you they are leaving everyone else alone.

I must admit I did have this at my old house and I used to hurry past them and blank them, or say a quick " hello cant stop got to catch the bus BYE"

I'm not much help really.

emmaroids

lol you could have some fun,,,

wait untill the middle of the night and makes lots of noise (screaming, shouting, banging etc)

go outside and start digging a hole in your back garden and put into it a large sack of old clothes cusions and stuff, fill the hole in and hope that she saw and heard it all, and just wait to see what progresses lol.

hollydays

samcantcope wrote: »

I would be tempted to make a subtle comment that you prefer to tell people what you think of them rather than behind their back, then he/she will gossip about you to other people, while they are gossiping about you they are leaving everyone else alone.

I must admit I did have this at my old house and I used to hurry past them and blank them, or say a quick " hello cant stop got to catch the bus BYE"

I'm not much help really.

Lol-my Oh and I have already estimated that she probably already does talk about us to other neighbours. You do have to cut older people some slack but I am sure she doesnt consider what she is doing to be wrong.I dont think its an age thing though-I have a feeling she has always been like this.

Curious_George_2

"Its funny you should mention *so and so at #42* I was having a gossip with her and some of the other neighbours recently and they all commented on what an old busy body you are...
they all said you should wind your neck in!
funny how people can be so rude without a second thought....oh well, got to go, im late for an appointment.... byeeeeeeee"

nats3006

is it just me or does everybody have a nosy neighbour no matter where i have lived there is always one!! mine tries to be nice but wants to know all your business at the same time! cruel as it sounds if i see her i quickly run in cos there is no just saying hello to her its a half hour conversation!!

nats3006

Curious_George wrote: »

"Its funny you should mention *so and so at #42* I was having a gossip with her and some of the other neighbours recently and they all commented on what an old busy body you are...
they all said you should wind your neck in!
funny how people can be so rude without a second thought....oh well, got to go, im late for an appointment.... byeeeeeeee"

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

David_B_2

hollydays wrote: »

I have an elderly neighbour.I always say hello,but she always turns the conversation to putting down one (or any) of her neighbours,in a loud voice,or telling me their business on the rare ocasions she knows it.I dont really want to be party to this.It not just occasionally but several times a week if she manages to catch me going out of the house.I just nod and go mm.Anyone else had this problem.Should I carry on as I am or should i make some subtle comment.

She could well be lonely and glad to have somebody to talk to. I bet she does'nt spend all day on MSE like most of us

nats3006

David_B wrote: »

She could well be lonely and glad to have somebody to talk to. I bet she does'nt spend all day on MSE like most of us

True lmao :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

belfastgirl23

I'd say set an example by being positive and understanding about people. It's easy to get into a habit of criticising without really meaning it the way it sounds. Sometimes if you challenge people a bit (but nicely) you can turn their attitude around. I'd say take her on as your personal project and see if you can do this! I think if you were the kind of person who was able to ignore her you'd have done this already