Getting neighbors to be quiet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Big headphones for sure. People won't talk to you if you have headphones on. Just keep walking. You shouldn't be embarassed.

+1

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, OP! I was in a walking boot last year for a few weeks and I street park. It wasn't on my driving foot so I could drive with it. I swear that every time I parked the neighbors must have been watching out their windows because they'd be immediately out their front doors into the street to comment on my injury, my progress, etc.

We have 15 steep steps going up to our house and never once did anyone offer to help carry groceries up with me or anything. They just wanted to poke around into my business. It was so weird! I felt like I was a zoo exhibit.

Even worse was when I had a brutal gynecological surgery a few years ago. Once I was able to drive I could walk out to my car but very, very slowly. The neighbors got so nosy about my absence, my surgery, my recovery that I finally blurted out "I had vaginal surgery and I'd prefer not to talk about it." (all true!) The nosiest neighbor must have spread it to everyone else and they all stopped interacting with me for a while. It was a gift.

So maybe you should lie about the location of your surgery to get everyone to leave you alone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry, OP! I was in a walking boot last year for a few weeks and I street park. It wasn't on my driving foot so I could drive with it. I swear that every time I parked the neighbors must have been watching out their windows because they'd be immediately out their front doors into the street to comment on my injury, my progress, etc.

We have 15 steep steps going up to our house and never once did anyone offer to help carry groceries up with me or anything. They just wanted to poke around into my business. It was so weird! I felt like I was a zoo exhibit.

Even worse was when I had a brutal gynecological surgery a few years ago. Once I was able to drive I could walk out to my car but very, very slowly. The neighbors got so nosy about my absence, my surgery, my recovery that I finally blurted out "I had vaginal surgery and I'd prefer not to talk about it." (all true!) The nosiest neighbor must have spread it to everyone else and they all stopped interacting with me for a while. It was a gift.

So maybe you should lie about the location of your surgery to get everyone to leave you alone?

You know that we have cataloged the flags hanging in your garage. Just in case.

[Anonymous]

I think it is nice that you have such considerate + caring neighbors.
Much better than the alternative trust me.

I agree that if you wear headphones (or just talk into your Apple Watch!), then people will automatically assume you are preoccupied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well done for taking your post surgical exercise. I suspect they are annoying you more than they normally would because you're in recovery, possibly medicated and rightfully f'd off with it all.

I have no suggestions for handling your neighbors other than to remain civil.

Keep going, you'll be stronger every day.

You don't have to right to tell OP that she is delusional. If she doesn't want to discuss her injuries with neighbors (and yes neighbors' actions force a interaction) she can strategize a non-rude way to stop it.

WTF? Learn. to. read. you. total. bonehead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Hi. I appreciate your support, but I spend far too much time dealing with my injury, so I'd rather you talk about literally anything else. Please choose a different topic. Your flowers are blooming beautifully."

Alternatively, just flash a thumbs up. But sure, impress them with your erudition.

Speaking English is erudite?
Then I must congratulate you as well!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Hi. I appreciate your support, but I spend far too much time dealing with my injury, so I'd rather you talk about literally anything else. Please choose a different topic. Your flowers are blooming beautifully."

+1

Why does modern (youth) culture demand "niceness" at all times? It is a value to not be rude, but we are not called to let people treat us any sort of way so we are not called "Karens".

Niceness has always been in style. Also called grace, as in the grace of God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A quick wave, thumb up, and keep your head down and focus on what you're doing.

That and accepting that you're a curmudgeon.

Is this why progressives want us to live in 15 min cities, so we are forced to talk to our neighbors to spread their social norms and values?

I hope OP recovers well enough to reach a physical level they matches your level of verbal acrobatics!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had surgery recently and am required to walk everyday. I started just doing a couple driveway lap with a walker, and I’m now doing a couple blocks with a cane. I’m feeling great, but one thing is driving me nuts and I’m sure I’m off base: I can’t shake my neighbors. They always seem to be outside in their yards, or suddenly appear for their mail, are pulling into their driveway, etc, and they barrage me with comments like, “Looking good, neighbor!” or, “You’re moving faster, neighbor! etc. Since I walk slow, the just keep commenting the whole time. It’s embarrassing. Telling them to shut up seems rude, but I want to. Any advice on tolerating this?

I can’t get drive or I’d go to a park or something. I can’t walk in my backyard because it’s too unstable. Plus, I like being outside, so I don’t want to put miles inside the house.

Get a hat or a t shirt saying "seeking peace and quite" or "shhhsh i'm in spiritual meditation mode".

[Anonymous]

Just reply "working on it!" and keep walking. You sound insane.

[Anonymous]

So your neighbors are too friendly and too supportive? That might be a DCUM first.

[Anonymous]

Headphones, for sure. And/or, when they say things just give them the thumbs up and keep moving.

They are trying to be nice. This makes me think of the book/movie A Man Called Ove, remade later as A Man Called Otto with Tom Hanks.

Don't be that guy. Just smile, thumbs up and keep moving.

[Anonymous]

As I was reading I literally thought that the neighbors were going to be harassing him. But no, they are just being nice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So your neighbors are too friendly and too supportive? That might be a DCUM first.

This poster is probably the mother of the postpartum mom who is outraged that everyone tells her she looks fabulous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As I was reading I literally thought that the neighbors were going to be harassing him. But no, they are just being nice!

Around here, if I see someone struggling I tell them they had better show some improvement or I am going to take their home and sell it to nice family to raise their children.