Gransnet forums

Chat

Naked neighbours - what would you do?

(128 Posts)
crystaltipps Wed 05-Sept-18 17:22:39

A family I know live in a small terraced house which back sonto a similar row of terraced houses with small backyards. It’s an increasingly gentrified area and many of the residents have had loft and kitchen extensions and the like. One set of neighbours at the back have had their first floor bedroom extended over the kitchen with full length windows. The couple in this house have taken to appearing in the full length window in the nude at various times of the day and night. The families’ young children have had an eyeful several times! The mum is genuinely not happy about this and doesn’t want to see this show whilst the family are eating their breakfast. What would you do in this situation? go round and see the couple and tell them to cover up ? ( she doesn’t know them ) Keep the curtains drawn ? Just laugh it off?

Magrithea Thu 06-Sept-18 07:52:54

midgey surely there's no legislation for curtains in a private home??!! There are rules for rented properties I think. If you don't want curtains then you don't have to have them.

As for crystaltips problem (or her family's) I would put a polite note through the door. Failing that, I rather like the 'Strictly' style points paddles idea grin

Mumsyface Thu 06-Sept-18 07:44:44

My husband likes to wander around naked in our flat in Spain. Understandable in the heat, although he has reached an age and stage where he would no longer be employable in the porn industry. We arrived back here after summer in the UK a few days ago and the first morning my husband got up to make coffee and came scampering back into the bedroom saying “there’s some people in the flat opposite” (previously empty) and looking for some clothing so that he could cover up and approach the window to drop the blind! ? ?? ?

Esspee Thu 06-Sept-18 07:40:43

We are just home from a continental holiday. After an early breakfast one morning we went for a walk along the coast, found a lovely little deserted cove and settled down to read our books. The place gradually filled up and on turning over onto my back I was shocked to see everyone around us had stripped off on arrival. Had to point out to OH that we were definitely overdressed and on going in for a swim we actually caught people staring at us whilst we tried not to look at them.
I saw more bare willies and boobs that morning than in the whole of the rest of my life. It will certainly bring a smile to my face every time I think about that holiday. Next holiday is to the arctic so not likely we'll have to worry about a repeat. grin
If we had exhibitionist neighbours I would simply pay a visit to the police.

Theoddbird Thu 06-Sept-18 07:35:49

I doubt they are aware they can be seen. I think the poster idea best by the way Make sure it is big enough to be read...hahaha

Pamaga Thu 06-Sept-18 07:33:38

Unless the guy has an erection or they are doing anything overtly sexual I don't see the problem really.

harrysgran Thu 06-Sept-18 07:29:46

Fit blinds that you can tilt and ignore the children's hilarious behaviour and tell them to get on with their breakfast

harrigran Thu 06-Sept-18 07:19:51

If you can be seen by all and sundry through the window then it is breaching public decency.
Easy enough to say don't look but who wants their young children seeing that every morning ?

Grampie Thu 06-Sept-18 07:15:18

Keep calm and carry on.

Set the example for your children and grandchildren.

Diana54 Thu 06-Sept-18 07:12:53

Notanan2.
You are out of line here, nudity in public is not acceptable and it is wrong to teach children that it is natural. It is not sexual in itself but if a girl takes her clothes off and walks down the street I can assure you it will. Men of course are more likely to be ridiculed than admired, in any case the police will turn up to have that "little chat".

absent Thu 06-Sept-18 06:54:31

*SpringyChicken" Of course, a piece of the breech might cover the offending penis.

absent Thu 06-Sept-18 06:53:05

*SpringyChicken" Indecent exposure was defined in the past as being by a man with an erect penis and I think it probably still is. A floppy little effort doesn't count. Breach of the peace, public nuisance might cover it (not the penis) otherwise.

gillybob Thu 06-Sept-18 06:38:15

Get the children to make a huge poster (the brighter the better) with ....... we can see your BUMS,BOOBS and WILLIES please put them away ..........written in huge lettters. Put it in the window .

Seriously don’t know what I would do if it continued but I sure as hell wouldn’t just put up with it . Who wants to see someone scratching their b*lls at breakfast time ?

JackyB Thu 06-Sept-18 06:17:06

(tongue is firmly in cheek heresmile

Get or hire a drone and hover it just outside the window when they appear again. No need to have the camera actually switched on, but the "threat" of being photographed might make them think again. They perhaps simply don't realise that anyone can see them.

MissAdventure Wed 05-Sept-18 22:31:25

I suppose you could put some frosted glass effect film on the lower part of your windows, then you'd only see their heads.

notanan2 Wed 05-Sept-18 22:30:10

Children can distinguish between nudity and inappropriate sexual behaviour (which can occur fully clothed).

Its about teaching appropriate behaviours and boundaries not simply about the presence or absence of clothes and in fact children for whom the body is not taboo are better protected from abuse to an extent.

M0nica Wed 05-Sept-18 22:26:45

But even if the parents are unphased, the children are being given the message that public nudity is nothing unusual. And that could be quite dangerous for their safety and well being.

notanan2 Wed 05-Sept-18 22:21:04

Nakedness doesn't upset children unless they pick up on the adults around them getting upset by it

MissAdventure Wed 05-Sept-18 21:58:40

Hopefully they'll inform him that they're there to discuss a 'small matter'.

M0nica Wed 05-Sept-18 21:54:05

I would talk to the police. They would hopefully send someone round to give them a word of advice (I believe that ts the phrase they use.)

MissAdventure Wed 05-Sept-18 21:53:19

I think perhaps a responsible naturist might give new neighbours prior warning?
Not that I'd know, I dont even enjoy getting naked for a bath!

Diana54 Wed 05-Sept-18 21:50:40

It certainly is a grey area, most beaches have topless sunbathers a few have well defined nude areas but walk down the street or into a shop topless someone is going say something for sure.
Films and TV are censored so that children don't see nudity I think it is quite reasonable for them not too see it at the breakfast table. By that logic I would ask them not to appear naked because it upset the children, if they then repeated the nudity it would have been intentional.
The same applies to noisy neighbours, ask them to stop, if they repeat it they are deliberately being unsociable, the vast majority of us are considerate neighbours but there are a few that don't care.

Melanieeastanglia Wed 05-Sept-18 21:18:37

I think I'd try and ignore it as much as possible but I admit I have not visited the home and seen how near it is to the naked neighbours and how clearly things can be seen.

Failing that, I'd perhaps keep my curtains closed because, if you can see them, perhaps they can see you eating your meal.

I do agree that it is odd that people should parade around without their clothes on knowing that people can see them.

notanan2 Wed 05-Sept-18 21:04:21

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8235959.stm

notanan2 Wed 05-Sept-18 20:59:23

No its not Diana, you just don't like it
You are as entitled to that opinion as people are to be naked.
It is not an offense to be naked in public in the UK so long as there is not offensive intent

Diana54 Wed 05-Sept-18 20:55:43

Public display of nudity is offensive, you might not be bothered about being seen in the altogether but if others can see you it is a nuisance. It's likely not a police matter but the local council would probably respond to a complaint, it's OK in private but standing in front of a window in full view of neighbours is hardly private and most reasonable people don't do it.