A 30-year-old woman has taken to social media to express her frustration with her new next-door neighbours, a retired couple she describes as 'nosey'. In a post on the Neighbours From Hell subreddit, she explained that the elderly pair seem to be 'watching everything' she does and frequently find excuses to strike up a conversation.
'They will poke around outside just to get a chance to say, Hi,' she wrote. 'It was nice at first, but now it feels like I can't breathe without them asking how I am breathing today.' She ended her rant by asking other users for advice on how to get them to stop talking to her.
The post quickly garnered a wave of responses, with some users sympathising with her plight while others urged her to see things from the neighbours' perspective. One Reddit user explained, 'They are lonely and bored. 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 added that such neighbours can be helpful, retrieving packages, taking out bins, and watering plants when you are away.
Another user commented, '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.' A third, who lives in a similar situation, advised the woman not to take it personally, noting, 'They [old people] do this with everyone, it's a generational thing. They think they're being polite.'
However, several commenters offered practical tips for avoiding unwanted interactions. 'You got to train them,' one instructed. 'Stop engaging. Short answers, no follow ups, keep walking. They'll get bored if there's no conversation to latch onto.' Another suggested using props to signal unavailability: 'I shove an apple, orange slices in my face, and carry my purse, folders… so I'm unable to speak… Put the phone on your shoulder, or earpiece in, nod, talk.' A third added, 'If you want space just say I'm very busy and keep moving along.'
