Nosy neighbor-any suggestions

eilcon · Apr 11, 2005

Have to cut the grass when I get home this evening (first time this year!) and am not looking forward to it because of my nosy next door neighbor.
He's in his mid-60's and has appointed himself the neighborhood watchman since he's home all day to keep an eye on things while his wife is working.
He knows EVERYTHING that happens on our street.

He's a nice enough guy and I enjoy talking to him (sometimes), but
every time I cut the grass he comes out to watch and, if I stop for any reason, he wants to talk. I just don't like having an audience. Plus, I'm out there to get the job done, not to chat. Occasionally, he also asks some pretty person questions and makes comments I'm not entirely comfortable with. Any suggestions on how to handle him without being rude? Other than this, he and wife are good neighbors and I don't want to jeopardize this.
Thanks!

P.S. Also, when my cats are outside on my second floor porch he likes
to yell at them to scare them. Another strike against him!

diane8704 · Apr 11, 2005

Originally Posted by eilcon

Have to cut the grass when I get home this evening (first time this year!) and am not looking forward to it because of my nosy next door neighbor.
He's in his mid-60's and has appointed himself the neighborhood watchman since he's home all day to keep an eye on things while his wife is working.
He knows EVERYTHING that happens on our street.

He's a nice enough guy and I enjoy talking to him (sometimes), but
every time I cut the grass he comes out to watch and, if I stop for any reason, he wants to talk. I just don't like having an audience. Plus, I'm out there to get the job done, not to chat. Occasionally, he also asks some pretty person questions and makes comments I'm not entirely comfortable with. Any suggestions on how to handle him without being rude? Other than this, he and wife are good neighbors and I don't want to jeopardize this.
Thanks!

P.S. Also, when my cats are outside on my second floor porch he likes
to yell at them to scare them. Another strike against him!

If I were you, I would invest in some earphones...whether they are attached to a walkman or not, pretend that you are listening to music, and ignore him unless he gets real dramatic about getting your attention. Then just politely tell him that you are in a hurry because you have a lot to get done, and you will talk to him later. As for him yelling at your cats, when you hear him do it, yell back "I dont appreciate your antics". Other than that, I am not real sure what to do. Hopefully, someone else will have some answers.

darkeyedgirl · Apr 11, 2005

He WATCHES you while you cut your grass????

He makes comments that you are uncomfortable with??? (I am guessing, sexual in nature?)

And YELLS at your cats?!?

IS HE MENTAL????? An ex-con? A druggie?

Or just one of those weird, lonely bored guys who likes to freak people out???

I'd say something!!! He has NO BUSINESS watching you like that. That's just weird. I'd feel mighty strange if my 60-something neighbor watched me, and I would go to his wife about it. Can you talk to this man's wife? Say, your hubby says weird things and watches me??? If you say it politely enough to the wife, maybe she will stop him from doing this?

If you want to get the hint across you don't want to talk --- use a Walkman. Portable CD player, whatever, put it on your ears, that way he'll see that you cannot hear him and he won't chat. Maybe?

Another surefire way to get someone to stop staring at you is to pick your nose alot. Or act like you are farting. Maybe he will be so embarassed that he just saw you pick a booger or fart, he won't bother you?

KittenKrazy · Apr 11, 2005

You could always flash him.......

rosiemac · Apr 11, 2005

I was going to say he sounds lonely and to give him 5 minutes chat before politely telling him that you have to get the lawn cut?, but then i saw that he yells at your cats

Now i would be saying "HAVE YOU GOT NOTHING ELSE BETTER TO DO THAN TO WATCH ME ALL DAY!!!"

yosemite · Apr 11, 2005

I'd be inclined to say something like - "instead of just standing there doing nothing, how about grabbing my trimmer there and doing that while I do the mowing". Do this a couple of times (get him helping you) and I seriously doubt he'll hang out when you are working in the yard. He may actually go out of his way to avoid you!

eilcon · Apr 11, 2005

All good suggestions (I love the one about picking my nose and pretending to fart!)

I get the impression that he's basically bored and lonely, but that doesn't make the situation any less uncomfortable.

Thanks for the ideas!

gailc · Apr 11, 2005

Also watch what you are wearing while your are cutting your lawn (seriously!!)
He might also be a dirty ole man!!

rarepuss · Apr 11, 2005

I like the suggestion of asking him to help you.. you'll get rid of him, FAST!

rapunzel47 · Apr 11, 2005

Well, here are some thoughts. My guess is he's perfectly OK, just bored and lonely. That could even be at the bottom of his yelling at your cats. Say calmly to him "You know, I wish you wouldn't yell at my cats. They don't understand you're just kidding and it upsets them." You'll know by his response whether he's just bored and not thinking his actions through, or intending to be mean.

And that will give you a clue to how to handle the rest of the problem. If he's just bored, Susan's idea of giving him your ear for a few minutes and then excusing yourself to get on with your chores should work. If he's not nice, a pair of headphones that are noticable, or better still those ear protectors, should get across to him that you aren't interested in conversation. If you're using anything noisier than an old rotary push mower, protecting yourself from the noise wouldn't be such a bad thing anyway

talon · Apr 11, 2005

Originally Posted by KittenKrazy

You could always flash him.......

Umm, that was my frist thought too!

He does seem a bit phsycho, can you do an internet search for court cases. I see that you are in Cinci, I know Hamilton country has a great search site for court cases.

KittenKrazy · Apr 11, 2005

Originally Posted by Talon

Umm, that was my frist thought too!

He does seem a bit phsycho, can you do an internet search for court cases. I see that you are in Cinci, I know Hamilton country has a great search site for court cases.

Lol, sometimes my wacko sense of humor gets the best of me, but I had a friend who was flashed one day, she just looked at the guy and asked him "is that all?"

me-n-my guys · Apr 11, 2005

I was going to suggest something like that, too.. what if he is a perv?
Otherwise, asking for help is a great idea. Give him a sunny smile & say "You look bored, want to help? I've got alot to do & am in a hurry.."
As far as the cats go, if someone did that to mine, I would say "Please don't yell at my cats, I really don't appreciate it" Period With a real serious look on my face. Maybe he is insecure because he is home alone all day, & takes it out on others in various ways.

Nosy neighbor-any suggestions

eilcon

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diane8704

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darkeyedgirl

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KittenKrazy

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rosiemac

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yosemite

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eilcon

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gailc

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rarepuss

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rapunzel47

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talon

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KittenKrazy

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me-n-my guys

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