A 30-year old woman has taken to social media to express her frustration over the behaviour of her “nosey neighbours” who have recently moved in next door.
Posting on Reddit, she alleged that the elderly, retired couple have been “watching everything” she does. “They will poke around outside just to get a chance to say, ‘Hi’,” she fumed. It was nice at first, but now it feels like I can’t breathe without them asking how I am breathing today.”
She concluded her rant by seeking guidance from fellow users in the Neighbours From Hell subreddit. “How can I make them stop talking to me?” the woman asked.
Her post prompted a flood of responses, with some users empathising with her predicament, while others showed sympathy towards her neighbours. “They are lonely and bored,” one Reddit user explained. “I have similar neighbours. Remember that it’s also good to have neighbours that are there when you need them and look out for you and your property. So it’s a balancing act.”
They elaborated: “I know I can call them if a package is left to my door and they’ll retrieve it. I know we can borrow something in a pinch if necessary. And I know they’ll always output our trash when we are on vacation and bring the empty bins back in. And water our plants. And they can rely on us for the same.”
Echoing this sentiment, another user noted: “They’re lonely and perhaps see a bit of their long-gone children in you. That doesn’t make it easier on you, but I bet they’re not nosey, just starved for attention. Being retired with your children out of the house can be tough for some people.”
Meanwhile, a third person living in the “same situation” urged the woman not to take it to heart. “They [old people] do this with everyone, it’s a generational thing,” they said. “They think they’re being polite.”
Others, however, offered suggestions on how to “avoid” interaction with the elderly couple. “You got to train them,” one sympathetic user advised. “Stop engaging. Short answers, no follow ups, keep walking. They’ll get bored if there’s no conversation to latch onto.”
A second individual offered the woman guidance: “I’m not huge on eye contact, but in my friendly space, I try. I am one needing excuses – I shove an apple, orange slices in my face, and carry my purse, folders… so I’m unable to speak… take care of yourself in ways you need. Put the phone on your shoulder, or earpiece in, nod, talk.”
While a third user mused: “They may be assessing you as a neighbour having lived next door first. If you want space just say I’m very busy and keep moving along.”