Antisocial mowing

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by anth85, Jun 10, 2019.

  1. anth85

    anth85 Gardener

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    I’ve pissed off my neighbour. Well she’s posted on Facebook that I’m a XXXX for cutting my grass so late because kids are going to bed.

    I started the back at 7, and was finished the front by 7.30. Is this too late?

    I should probably have been more considerate, I don’t have kids and didn’t think about theirs so that’s my bad. In my defence by the time I get in from work (5.30) make and ate dinner (6.30) then I groomed my dog out the back which made me think to use the mower to pickup all the fur (worked a treat). It’s not like I’m in the house all day then decide to get it out after 8pm.
     
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    • Linz

      Linz Total Gardener

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      No, not too late.

      She's in the wrong for posting that on fb and not talking to you about it first.
       
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      • Mike Allen

        Mike Allen Total Gardener

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        With respect. Whetherornot we are a private house holder or a council tenant there are local byelaws, rules and regulations we are expected to live by.

        Thanks to the internet, just a few clicks and you can get your answers. I think you will find ,'lawn mowing' under DIY.

        My downstairs neighbour whilst pleading 'simple' really does play the system. Many a time I have been sitting quiet even perhaps nodding off in the armchair and, BBBBBBRRRRRREEEEERRR she has decide to get the power drill out and bore yet another hole in the wall, why not. Surely not a 2300hrs.
         
      • NigelJ

        NigelJ Total Gardener

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        Depends on how old the kids are.
        Facebook is probably not the best place for sorting out problems with neighbours. Not on Facebook myself, but can't you block her, unfriend her, deselect her or simply not look at what she posts there.
         
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        • Liz the pot

          Liz the pot Total Gardener

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          Is it a petrol or electric?

          Try to do the lawns at the weekend to defuse the situation. If it’s a one off then ok but try to keep to weekends to help ease it.

          Mike my neighbours were a bit of a nightmare at times. They use to blast music at 7am and then again in the evening from 5pm onwards. I went round and had words and it’s been quiet ever since. It’s all about common sense which my neighbours lack but having a strong word put it at rest.
           
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          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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            First thing I would do is talk to your neighbour and explain the time that you got home from work etc, and that is why you started when you did, not realising that the kids would be going to bed so early; then, maybe go on to say that you don't want to fall out over it, but would much rather that they had come and spoken to you instead of posting on Facebook.

            I sort of get their point when it comes to really young kids, had the time been after 8 - but you clearly weren't
             
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            • HarryS

              HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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              My old workmates neighbour used to cut his lawn at 10pm ! Now that does deserve retribution :biggrin:
               
            • Sian in Belgium

              Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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              Not a nice way to raise a complaint, but probably best if you show her the error of her ways by responding in an adult manner.

              -apologise for causing a disturbance, with the caveat that you didn’t realise her children were already in bed
              Leading to...
              -asking when they go to bed, so when can you acceptably cut the grass until. Is their bedroom at the front or the back of the house (maybe you would have caused less upset if you’d done the lawns the other way round?), explaining your time constraints.

              ...basically, what you are trying to do is find a positive way forward, with genuine and constructive face-to-face discussions.

              Don’t be nasty back, try to find a solution. After all, you all have to live next to each other!
               
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              • andrews

                andrews Super Gardener

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                If she was so concerned about the kids going to bed then she'd come and ask you to stop.

                Sounds like a drama queen, wanting on line attention for the bad hand that shes been dealt.

                Id not worry about it. I don't think that youre being a bad neighbour - just doing the jobs as and when the opportunity arises.
                 
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                • anth85

                  anth85 Gardener

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                  I think they are 5/6 and 2/3 kind of age. I sent her a private message last night apologising and she has replied this morning and has deleted the post without me asking her too.

                  electric, but its quite old so I'd say on the louder side of electric. I do cut it 90% of the time at the weekend, but with the weather we are having and the amount of rain it is growing very quickly. I do agility with my dogs so go away nearly every weekend for that which does not leave all that much time.

                  That's pretty much what I said when I messaged her. Had I known her kids were going to bed, of course, I would have stopped. I think it was just heat of the moment and her kids were being difficult at bedtime, and they have not long been back from holiday so maybe a bit jet leg in there too.

                  all that makes sense. I don't want to go into a deep conversation about it though. I'll just make sure I get it done as soon as I get in from work, or the occasional weekend that I am at home
                   
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                  • Verdun

                    Verdun Passionate gardener

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                    I have a cordless mower....nice n quiet :)
                    I have a noisy neighbour at times.....a quiet word usually sorts it :)
                    Mind you, we have to be sensible and reasonable about using noisy equipment
                     
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                    • Doghouse Riley

                      Doghouse Riley Head Gardener

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                      I might be on my own here, but I've no time or interest in social media other than some hobby message boards. My mobile phone lives in the front ashtray of my car. I use it for emergencies, or to contact my wife before I leave my golf club car park in case there's any "justgetmes," she needs me to bring home from the shops. Having a mobile phone with you all the time, I consider is like wearing a criminal's "tag."


                      Anyway, I don't consider mowing the lawn at 7.00pm unsocial. It's not at as if it's every night is it? If I did and someone complained on Facebook, I'd be completely oblivious of it because I don't go there, so it wouldn't bother me.
                       
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                      • mazambo

                        mazambo Forever Learning

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                        I see myself as a pretty thoughtful person (my wife says too thoughtful) but for instance if there was a break in the weather so I could cut my hedges around that time then i would, sure I wouldn't make a habit of it but if it was needed I would do it, go along with @Doghouse Riley on the social media side, why give yourself extra hassle? Just don't get it:scratch:
                         
                      • lolimac

                        lolimac Total Gardener

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                        The bit I don't grasp is WHY go on facebook to complain when she could have just popped next door to have the conversation...
                        My next door neighbour AKA Mr Shouty...rang me up to complain that I hadn't informed him that I was having work done on my conservatory :scratch:..inbetween his ranting I said feel free to pop round and we'll discuss the fact that it wasn't causing any inconvenience to him so couldn't see the problem...there's some funny folk around int there...:rolleyespink:
                         
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                        • anth85

                          anth85 Gardener

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                          some people live their lives on facebook but I think in this instance it was just a way to vent. It's gone now so no harm done.
                           
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