The harmony of your home is also associated with the neighbourhood that you live in and the social life that you have with the people in your closest environment – like your neighbours. You never know when you might need to call on them for help. If your family gets along with those living around you, it can be incredibly rewarding but things can get tricky if your vibes don’t match. One common issue is how to deal with a nosy neighbour. Here’s what you can do…
Stay calm
Remember, a nosy person often doesn’t realise they are being rude. Perhaps they are lonely and simply want to make friends. It’s a good idea not to get angry, even if you feel they are being intrusive. Instead, answer questions politely but quickly so you don’t feel pressurised into giving away personal information you’d rather not share.
Protect your boundaries
If you have a neighbour who has a habit of spying on you, or your children, take a look at your property and see if there’s anything you can do to improve your privacy. Planting bushes or erecting a fence could be a simple way to prevent prying eyes. And if you feel uncomfortable because they’re forever glancing through your windows, net curtains or blinds could be the solution.
Keep the door shut
Do you or members of your family dread hearing a knock at the door because you know it’ll be your neighbour yet again? Well, remember you’re under no obligation to answer the door just because you are home. If you’d rather not chat, just ignore the door. They’ll soon get the message. Your house is your sanctuary and no one should make you feel uncomfortable within your own home.
Call them out
Perhaps you have a sneaky neighbour who tries to spy on you without being seen. If this is the case, make sure they know that you’re aware of their behaviour and hopefully they’ll feel shamed into stopping. For example, if you see curtains twitching, give a cheery wave. If you spot them peeping over the fence, ask them directly if they need something. Hopefully, this will be enough to improve their behaviour.
Make friends
If you or your neighbour has recently moved to the neighbourhood, it may be that they are simply hoping to make friends with your family. Or perhaps they are just curious about their new neighbours. Try chatting to them and you might find that you get on well and then you’re less likely to view their behaviour as nosiness but simply friendliness.
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