How To Get Rid A Nosey Neighbor ASAP ???

Indonesia
May 26, 2009 3:25am CST
I have lived in this area for almost two years, but still the lady who lives next door like to stick her nose on my business. When I get home from work, she likes to ask where I went, why I took this way and not that way, why I wear glasses, what is my main responsibility at work, why I wear certain clothes, and all of those silly questions. Even when my mom and I get back from the market, she would grab our grocery bag and have a look inside to see what we bought. I tried to answer the politely everytime, but I'm getting really tired of her. Any suggestions on how to get rid the nosey neighbor like her???
4 people like this
13 responses
• United States
26 May 09
Wow I can't say I myself have a neighbor this bad, but my neighbor does always seem to know when we get home or when we are leaving. She will try and have extended conversations about any and everything but has never actually asked about our comings and goings. I've just learned that she is simply lonely. The best we do is just let her know truthfully that we need to go and she understands. As far as your neighbor goes, she seems VERY lonely. You may just need to be blunt with her and tell her that it's simply not any of her concern what you do with your life. I know that may seem hard but it's probably the only way this will be resolved. She needs to learn her place as a neighbor. Does this person rent the home or own the home? If she's a renter you may have to speak to the owner and explain that she is disrupting your life by being so nosy. People like this can be frightening and can push you out of your own home because your feel uncomfortable. Don't allow this to happen. Take Action immediately before it gets worse! Take Care
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
26 May 09
oh I hate nosey neighbours, I have a few like that, one in particular who sits at her front window and watches everything, I try and excuse her because she is elderly and I guess lonely and when I started helping her a bit she became very possessive and she always lets me know how long it has been since I last came to see her and she used to check up on when my car is there and wants to know where i have been as well...I hate people knowing too much about me, I like my privacy, so I have gone a little cold with all my neighbours, I think they are getting the message....
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
26 May 09
is she old and just wants a friend or is she just down right nosey ? if she is, the next time she grabbed a bag id grab her hand and tell her to back off, no offence but you have a private lifestlye and stay away and butt out of business. be firm, if you really want to get rid of her ...tell her to leave you alone. or there's the mafia for a price, or casa nostra. only kidding boy's.
• Indonesia
27 May 09
She's not that old really, my guess she's just about 50 yo. I think she just love being nosey. Thank you for the response, that's a good one.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
31 May 09
I'd be telling her...Look, I don't mean to be rude but you need to back off and give me some space. I don't interfere in your life and question you and I would appreciate you keeping your distance and minding your own business. This person is being more than nosey....she is rude and her actions border on assault.
• United States
26 May 09
You could be mean and ignore her, or you could be a little bit nice and just answer in short questions. She is probably all alone. Rememeber that hopefully someday you will be old too. Your family won't be around and you will be lonely. Try talking to her at times your not in a rush. Then she will know that you will talk to her. Sometimes just the sound of another voice can make the biggest difference. Maybe even go so far as to ask her if she needed something from the store that is so easy for you to go to, it might be harder for her to get around. Just rememeber she is not trying to bother you, she is so lonely she is begging for some kind of contact. Remember that will be you someday, you hope.
1 person likes this
• Indonesia
27 May 09
Thank you for your response. I think she is not lonely at all, because she lives with her husband, daughter, son in law and grandkid. So basically she has a lot of attentions she ever needs and people to chat with. That's why I can't understand why she still manage some time to stick her nose on my business.
1 person likes this
@marcyyyy (517)
• United States
27 May 09
Wow, I've heard of nose, but that is super-nebby!!! I was thinking maybe too that she was elderly, but with only being 50, and having that many people at home with her, wonder why she wants to know so much about YOUR life!!! Does she do this with any other neighbors? Take care, and hang in there!
• United States
26 May 09
Kindly stop answering her questions. you are not obligated to answer those kinds of questions. You might also try lightly answering her questions with questions like, "where do you think I went?" that way you are not really answering but redirecting. You might even think about just directly asking her why she asks so many questions. It may be that she is lonely and really needs someone to have a cup of coffee with her every now and then.. she's possibly just trying to generate conversation and doesn't know any other way... I don't know!
• Indonesia
27 May 09
I think you're right, maybe she's just trying to generate conversation, but not smart enough to pick a polite question such as 'How are you today?' or 'How's your day at work?' :) Thank you for the response.
1 person likes this
@lazeebee (5461)
• Malaysia
27 May 09
It's terrible having someone like this for a neighbor. I used to have such a neighbor when I was staying at my old apartment. She asked me everything under the sky .... the first few times I tried to be polite. After that, I just greeted her, and pretended to be deaf to the rest of her queries, that is, not answer her, just smile like an idiot to everything she said (not listening to her though)! After a few tries, she gave up on me and fixed on someone else!
• United States
30 May 09
Maybe the woman is lonely and this is one way she has of getting some companionship. If she's not lonely and just nosy, you could try doing the same thing to her.
@sandymay48 (2030)
• Canada
27 May 09
Hi there...She sounds way overboard...I think you would have to tell her politely that you are a private person and dont really appreciate all the questions. WHere you go and what you do, is your business. To grab a bag out of your hand and look in it, makes me think shes not all there. I would definately have to say something to her about that. Even if you politely said you would not do that to her, and you expect the same respect in return. Tell her shes welcome to chat but not to come running over when you get home with questions and routing through your stuff. That isnt being a polite neighbour. I would not tell her off or get mad. Just tell her the way it is. She can take it from there, anyways she wants to.
@jellymonty (2352)
26 May 09
I am assuming that this nose neighbor is an old woman? She's probably bored and lonely and just wants some entertainment and comfort.. I have a nosy neighbor but he usually just sits in his apartment and uses a binoculars to have a peep at me! Anyway why don't you just be upfront with her and tell her to bugger off?? I did that and now they don't bother me anymore.. they say I'm cruela de vil Sometimes you need to be cruel to be kind.. and the best way to deal with nosy neighbors.. be cruel!...
@moofish (43)
• New Zealand
27 May 09
Just tell her straight mate, some where down the line everyone gets a neighbor like this. sounds to me like she's got you just where she wants and it's time you told her to back off. You don't need to be rude about it as she is probably not even aware of her busy body ways. Just say to her that it's none of her business or that the question is irrelevant and that you are busy. Don't encourage conversation just ignore her and continue on with what it is you are doing. Once she knows how you feel she should back off other wise you are just going to have to grow some manhood and tell her to back off in a way she understands.... Good luck.
@djvirus (40)
• India
26 May 09
well first , is talk politely to her and tell her softly that you have a lot of work to do and then just ignore her. If it still doesn't work 2nd, well tell her in a polite way i like my privacy and wish to do what i want to do. im sure she will get angry bu this 3rd time is mind your own business talk. However what i have learnt is keep to my self and just smile and walk away. That should prove something.
@OmiHaf (5)
• United States
26 May 09
I think you should embarrass her because if she realizes how rude and annoying she is to you, you have to show her so the most effective thing to do may be to confront her but that may be extremely rude but she is being rude aswell. If you do not wish to be so rude you should answer her like if she looks through your grocery bags and sees the stoe brand butter you tell her that she probably does not have any butter and she should not throw stones if she is in a glass house. If she asks you why you wear glasses, tell her because you CAN read.