We get on well with both (all) our neighbours. [Strictly speaking - we're end of a terrace so only have one neighbour, but I mean people the other side of the road and further down as well]. We've had barbecues in the summer, we feed each others cats, one guy is a tradesman and helps out with jobs where expertise / specific tools are needed, etc.
Until recently.
One of the neighbours (let's call him Dave 'cos that's not his name) is putting a permitted development on the rear of his house, and it's not [i]exactly[/i] permitted development as it's a bit bigger than it should be. One of the other neighbours (Mike) grassed him up to the council as he thought it was spoiling the view out of his ground floor window. The council came round, asked for a minor mod and to check foundations and have gone away happy. However, there's now a bit of animosity in the air.
I just found out that while I was away over new year, Dave was on the roof of his new conservatory fixing down some sheeting or something that had loosened in the wind and rain, and Mike went out and started shouting the odds for being noisy. Dave told him to wind his neck in at which Mike takes affront, disappears, and then reappears with a 'weapon' that he attacks Dave with. Police are called, Mike's now got an ASBO or whatever it is.
Bottom line - although Mike's prone to being a bit of a nob every now and then, I still quite like him and I certainly like his wife as she seems very embarrassed by the whole thing. I also like Dave who is a right good sort. And while it seems quite clear cut not least by the admission / ASBO, there's always two sides and I'm not taking either of them.
But my wife feels uncomfortable being too chummy with either now in case the other sees / reads it as taking sides.
1/ Do i just carry on as before, it's their issue?
2/ Do i see them both independently and tell them it's none of my business and therefore I'm not getting involved and will be treating them both as if nothing happened in an attempt to head-off any thought of taking sides
3/ Do i try and get them both together and tell them the same while at the same time also telling them to both grow up a bit?
Move house
oh, and 4/ where can I buy a UN peacekeeper's helmet?
Hoof them in the slats.
Every single one of them.
1 dont get involved if you have not fallen out with either and stay mates IMHO
1/ Do i just carry on as before, it's their issue?
^This
Note on the windscreen?
I would stay out of it. They'll sort it out between themselves eventually
Any of 1, 2 or 3 are better than 0 - be less chummy than before in case they see you taking sides. Except that was your wife's idea, and she is always right. Therefore, move house.
You can still invite them round for barbecue, but they'll both have to leave before pudding.
😯CaptainFlashheart - Member
Hoof them in the slats.
Every single one of them
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Is mikes wife fit ? Any photos ?
I think you take the chicken across first, then come back for the fox, take him across [u]but[/u] bring the chicken back, leave the chicken while you take the grain over then finally come back for the chicken.
Dozy Mick been sticking his Beak in a Tich too much for Dave.
I fail to see how anything other than 1) is a viable option. If they think you're 'taking sides' then that's their failing / problem. Getting involved means that, well, you're involved, and that would be Bad.
i guess it's a bit like when friends get divorced or some such. Be friends with whoever you were friends with to start with, and if situations arise where there might be friction that's their monkey to deal with not yours.
Though in honesty, if I had a neighbour who was prone to turning up with a weapon when he didn't get his own way, I'd be moving house.
sc-xc - Dave Dee, surely?
I knew I'd **** it up!
[i] I certainly like his wife[/i]
Get rid of Dave and Mike, shack up with his wife. Happily ever after.
Or 1.
I'm worried that this may be the unexciting premise of the third series of Broadchurch. Is it too late to warn David Tennant's agent?
option 1, and if [b]they[/b] raise it, tell them that a) you'd rather that they sorted it out like adults, and b) you're not getting involved
If Broadchurch III = Wideconservatory, it just might be.
'Weapon' was a bit strong - he didn't come back tooled up, more like waving a bit of 4x2". And Dave didn't seem to have too much trouble avoiding it by all accounts, Mike's not an athlete and after a bit of waving his wood at Dave ran out of puff.
[I really wish I'd thought this up as an elaborate troll but it's all true. Except the names, probably....]
weird double post
Whatever you do, just make sure it's both passive [i]and[/i] aggressive
You have one next door neighbour and everybody else in your neighbourhood is a neighbour.
Strictly speaking.
matt_outandabout - MemberÂNote on the windscreen?
Sod that, keys in the bowl. That'll sort everyone out....
Could you not just pop round the back door and ask nicely.
How would in get in if she's closed the back doors, Captain?
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Subtle
Post some flyers through all the doors in your street stating [i]theotherjonv[/i]'s at No.7 are declaring their property as neutral ground and requesting that neighbours swear to uphold your neutrality 🙂
Or be more discreet and give your Wifi a new SSID with a message to that effect 😉