Not surprised Day 6 his wife is standoffish and doesn't speak to the neighbours. She's not stupid.
Has anyone else noticed their energy levels change as they've got older?
My neighbours have had scaffolding around their house for several months and my neighbour has started making comments. A couple of months ago I wanted to watch something on TV so had my dinner on a tray sitting on my sofa, (not something I generally do), a few days later he made a comment about how doing that can interfere with digestion. A few weeks ago I had some friends round for lunch and after were in the sitting room chatting over a bottle of wine (as you do), again a few days later he said that my friends seemed to enjoy their visit. Last week he said he liked the colour of my dressing gown! I tried to make a joke of it and said that it was creepy and was he spying on me. This morning I opened my curtains and he was standing on the scaffolding staring at my house. Now I would point out I am not some gorgeous 20 year old with long legs and a great figure - in fact I am 70 short and fat! He is at least 10 years younger than me and has a lovely wife. Whilst we get on OK we are not great friends, we put each others bins out and watch each others houses when one is away and chat over the garden fence but that is about it. He is semi retired and only works 2 days a week so perhaps he is just bored!
I now don't feel comfortable relaxing in my sitting room and in fact am currently sitting at the kitchen table as that room cannot be overlooked from their house.
I don't feel threatened just unsettled.
Not surprised Day 6 his wife is standoffish and doesn't speak to the neighbours. She's not stupid.
I would be asking for my key back if they have one for your door,, make an excuse you have lost yours or whatever.. and def have a word with police. I also think some net curtain would be helpful.. You would still be able to see him if he is outside spying but he wouldn't be able to see you.And if you do see him trying to look in def get in touch with the police..
The neighbours wife has just left. She called in to see if it was OK for their grandchildren to come"trick or treating" tonight. Usually we only make it as far as the kitchen but today I took her into the sitting room, she looked out the window and was horrified at how little privacy I have. She just hadn't realised. I then told her I had been startled to see her husband on the scaffolding when I opened my curtains one morning and she said he was checking the roof. Apparently they need work done to their roof and the roofing contractors kept changing the dates however they now have a definite start day of next Monday so that should keep him off the scaffolding! All I have to contend with then is some (hopefully) hunky roofers!
I honestly don't think his comments were meant to be intimidating - perhaps just his idea of taking a neighbourly interest!
Agree with blue skies advice and contact the local police community officer.Keep a note of what he says to you The guy sounds a nut case. You should not have to go to the lengths of putting up net If you had wanted nets you would have had them before now. Scaffolding but no signs of any work going on .?
Now that I would question.
on.
This man has problems and must be stopped. I think you've got to let him know that enough is enough, and it's time he respected your privacy. I don't see why you should go to the expense and inconvenience of buying nets/blinds,etc. Do you have another neighbour who you could confide in?
I wouldn't escalate it unless the OP feels in danger. She has to live next door to these people. It's true the man has been socially inappropriate but people can get a hell of a lot worse in different more destructive ways if you start bringing the law into it. On purely practical considerations.
Even if his wife has given a reason for the scaffolding that does not give her husband the right to peer into your windows and make comments on what you are doing or wearing. I still think you should have a word with the police community officer. They will log the information and possibly a patrol car will 'casually go past' At least you will have done your bit as you never know what goes on in your neighbours head. Not quite all as it should be in that department
?
Frankly, I don't see why you should have to go to the trouble and expensive of putting up net curtains you don't want, or film on your windows.
In your place I would either tackle your neighbour and his wife together about this behaviour, or speak to her alone about it. Ask when the scaffolding is coming down too.
If you don't feel comfortable asking him to behave himself, or even just pointing out to him that you don't care to have him spying on you in your own home, which is what this feels like, have you a preferably male relative who could tell him politely that his behaviour is upsetting you?
Otherwise go to the police and tell them calmly but very clearly how uncomfortable your neighbour is making you just now.
Nobody should have to put up with this kind of thing.
That sounds great OldWoman. Still worth noting anything if it happens again but I wonder if he realised he had upset you and his wife had come over to check if you were okay? We can only hope and that the work is completed quickly. At least you had the chance to say how you felt and that is empowering.
How uncomfortable for you. For him to comment on your dressing gown is inappropriate. As suggested I'd get net curtains, you can get plain ones which don't look frumpy at all. They're better on the security front too as people can't tell if you're in or not.
Day6 interesting that your neighbour mentions your lights. I remember a Professor of criminal psychology saying that some stalkers focus on women's bathroom windows because they want to know toilet habits and times. That is why they watch lights going on and off in bathrooms. If you have caught some one watching you inappropriately you can bet he is watching when you think you are alone and safe. Believe me, I have got the t shirt.
If it was me in your position, I would have to confront him directly. I am a forthright person, and have no qualms in telling someone if they're overstepping the mark.
Just say you don't appreciate his comments and tell him to stop watching you, otherwise there may well be consequences.
I think the poster missed a good opportunity when the wife said she was shocked at how little privacy she had. Apart from saying she had seen the man on the scaffolding, she should have said (jokingly) that he had told her he admired her dresing gown. This would not have seemed like a complaint so his wife could hardly defend him when the poster didn't say she felt threatened. However, you can bet she would have had quite a few stern words with him.
I don't think it is always a good idea to let people know that you feel threatened, or even uncomfortable, in situations like this, as it gives the other person a degree of power.
I think the easiest solution is to put film on the windows. At least while the scaffolding is up, and then when that comes down you can take it off.
Putting up nets involves curtain rails etc, although you could jut use the little screw in hooks and wire.
If this man is starting to voyeur he can look elsewhere.
If you talk to the neighbours they might see it as an accusation and an unjustified one.
This might cause a lot of bad feeling.
Another one who hates the dreaded `nets` but in this case I would put some up until the scaffolding is down ! He sounds very creepy to me , let it drop to the wife next time you see her .
Oldwoman I am really pleased to hear that the contractors are starting on Monday and I do hope that they are fast and good workers so that all will be back to normal as soon as possible. Given the experience you have just had though I would keep vigilant and be observant for your own protection, you can't be too careful!
Lots of good advice given. But do get your key back or change the lock.
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