Nosy Neighbors. How Do You Deal With Them?

[roostershooter7]

I know all of us have them some time in our lives, but how do you deal with them?

I have a neighbor who is the nosiest of them all. He's 56 years old, still lives with his parents, and just got out the joint for doing an 8 yr. grand theft bit. Anytime I'm out on my property he walks over to wherever I am and starts poking around asking questions. There are times when I don't want the guy in my business, if you know what I mean. I can be in my shop doing whatever, and he just walks in and starts nosing around. He thinks that just because my doors are open , to ventilate the place, that he can just walk in uninvited.

How do you deal with that? He's a nice enough guy, but seems like he's 'fishing' for something to get into. By nature, I'm not an asshole, and don't want to be a dick to the guy, but at what point does it stop?

My buddy suggested that I start asking him to borrow his expensive mechanic tools to fix my implements whenever he walks over. He thinks that after awhile the guy will stop coming over uninvited, and start being more standoff-ish. Does that make sense?

[HungoverHog]

Being a jerk has always come naturally to me. Just say "look guy I need to get some work done and I can't do that with distractions." You could try saying it nicely I guess.

[Coyote]

Just ask him every time he shows up if he is wearing underwear and if so what color? Ask him if you can borrow his skivvies sometime?
Does he like gay porn? Has he every been with a goat?

He'll either quit coming around or you will have a bigger problem

[Odin]

Just be clear. It is your property, isn't it, right? And if you have to compromize there already ... where does it stop? And would it even be really your property.

What happens to you has everything to do with feeling at home where you are. Tell the guy to get of your property. If he wants to visit he can call and make an appointment. If it is urgent, he can ring the front door bell.

Had a noozy neighbour too, when I was building a house. He didn't want a fence between our gardens "because it is so nice to see each other sitting in the garden, having a drink!" Yeah, right. I told him that if I wanted to see him for a drink, he would get an invite.

Next day a 2 meter high fence gave me the privacy I like. Neighbours became very good friends. Because I was clear in the beginning.

Odin.

[heartcut]

It's not unusual for ex cons to be rejected, if you told him you didn't want him coming around it probably wouldn't seem that unusual. It'd be a shame to become one yourself because of him.

[Prairiepiss]

I will say don't use the ask to use his tools thing. He mite take that as an invitation to come over more. Could have the complete opposite outcome.

And he just got out the joint. Don't know if asking what color his panties are is a good idea either?

I make a good asshole. But when it comes to people I have to deal with. Like neighbors I have a hard time telling them to kick rocks. So I usually sic the wife on them.

I have a feeling I'm going to have problems at my new house when I get moved in. I've already had 4 of the neighbors come give me the gossip of the neighborhood. I'm thinkin a 6 foot privacy fence because I can't go any taller.

[MuleKicker]

I give my neighbor a drink. But, I get along with him well, and he knows what Im up to.
You could be a jerk, but he is your neighbor, and sometimes that can backfire on ya.

[6fiddyv]

Im an asshole, has worked pretty good for me so far. Sure, I'm nice to their face, unless I need something from them, my doors are only cocked open, never enough for them to enter...

6

[Usge]

My solution was to start making homemade beer...which I give out to some of them from time to time. They are like..oh..he makes beer. Cool. (*note: beer and wine making for personal use is legal where I live, it may or may not be in your locale) So, if they see me with large bulk grains or fermenters or a BOP, etc. or they smell something funny they just immediately think I'm making beer. If you looked at my rack of gear...all you'd think is "beer". The only thing I really have to hide is my still heads. Everything else looks right at home. I've got a large bottle rack with my bottles, caps, I've got a fermenter of beer going next to my UJSM, I've got 2 cases of bottled beer ageing on the floor, a large plastic container with grain bags (and corn), wort chiller, 3 different size pots (I just remove the lid/tri-clamp from my brewhuas pot..looks like big ole boiler/mash pot). There's siphons, airlocks, fermenters, etc...all the stuff is there right in plain site. It just looks like one big beer making setup (which it is).

Anybody gets nosy? Here...have a beer!

[Prairiepiss]

That's what I'm shooting for in the new house Usge.

[johnny108]

The guy is that old and lives at home?
He's an ex-con?
He is very likely very selfish, and very immature. He is possibly looking to see what "cool" stuff you are doing, so he can take advantage of it- either making money by selling something you have/make, or by turning you in, as soon as he has proof you are doing something illegal.
He can only be trusted to act in his own interests- at great cost to you.
If you reject him and he feels insulted in any way- he will likely become vindictive.
The other possibility is that he is "looking for a friend"- your odds are 50/50.
Gain a friend you can't trust, or gain an enemy who will try to hurt you.
Wouldn't happen to have a shovel and a bag of lime, would you?
For my part- wherever I've lived- I've never even so much as said "hi" to a new neighbor. I nod and smile if they speak- then move along. I'm not a bad neighbor- I make no noise and cause no problems, but, my last neighbor of 11 years had never even heard my voice, or knew my name...
Perhaps it's time to install a roof vent so you don't have to open the doors for ventilation?

[King Of Hearts]

I would not try to piss him off or act strange, just tell him your busy right now, he'll get the hint after a few times.

[Tuco]

If he really is an did just get out of the pen then he came from a place where he absolutely had to respect personal space and property 24 hrs a day 7 days a week so just be honest and tell him he needs to call ahead. That will work the best, blunt but respectful. And don't be an asshole to him, after an 8 yr stay he is used to assholes and he will most likely not respond well at all. (speaking from experience here btw)