Seeing the neighbour
By Fleur
@Fleura (34927)
United Kingdom
October 31, 2023 6:05pm CST
The houses in this part of the village are laid out in all different directions, not just on either side of a single road and facing each other, as is more usual. Our house has its back to the road, for example.
Then further along our little lane it divides into two parallel parts, and there are a few houses which are sandwiched between the two sections. A couple of them are sideways (with one side next to each section of road) and one has its back to our stretch of road and its front door on the other section.
The funny thing about this is that we don’t really know the people who live there, because they come and go along the other section of road so we never meet them. But if we are coming home in the dark we can see straight into one room, which has a window directly facing along the road. When the light is on inside we get a very clear view, especially because there are no street lights so it’s pitch dark outside.
And in that room they habitually watch sport on a large wall-mounted TV without closing the curtains or blinds or whatever they have, if they have any. And whoever it is usually lounges with their feet up, so as we walk towards home we get a clear view of their feet as well as the sport on TV.
It seems strangely intimate to be looking at someone’s usually bare feet, when we don’t even know for sure who they are!
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2023.
9 people like this
8 responses
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
1 Nov 23
Quit being a peeping Jane! 
It would seem so weird to me not to know them but able to see their feet through their window. I keep the curtains pulled over all our windows except the kitchen, which faces out into our back yard.3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
1 Nov 23
@Fleura I guess some people just don't think.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
1 Nov 23
@DaddyEvil I wonder whether they spend so much time indoors that they never realise how clearly people can see into a house with the lights on when it's dark outside?
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (14782)
• Ireland
1 Nov 23
@fleura I like the sound of your village - not laid out along sensible lines. The price however seems to be that you get a ring side view of the neighbours’ goings on. I would not appreciate my neighbours neglecting to ensure their own privacy in the way you describe. It makes me feel somewhat voyeuristic when neighbours display their business like that. Presumably they have the wit to pull the bedroom curtains before attempting anything not meant for public view.
2 people like this
@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
1 Nov 23
I don't think you're odd, I feel the same. I can't understand why people don't close blinds or curtains when it's dark. I can only think that they spend so much time indoors that they never realise how clearly people can see into a house with the lights on when it's dark outside!
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Nov 23
Sounds like another case of the "city fathers" being drunk when they set up the neighborhood.
Interesting photo.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Nov 23
@Fleura Squat where you drop?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
1 Nov 23
@Fleura - May be they do not care. We all external shutters here and curtains inside. I close the shutters in the evening, because I know that people could see inside. There is a family on the other side of the road, who does not care. They do not even close the curtains.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
1 Nov 23
I'm always amazed at the people who have no blinds or curtains at night. Our drapes are shut tight at night. Have a wonderful day.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
1 Nov 23
Me too, I can't understand why people don't close blinds or curtains. I can only think that they spend so much time indoors that they never realise how clearly people can see into a house with the lights on when it's dark outside! It's like reality TV, anyone could be standing outside watching through the window and not be seen at all from inside!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
1 Nov 23
@Fleura Yes. It gives me the creeps when our drapes aren't closed.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381739)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Nov 23
When we first moved in h ere we had no blinds or curtains and felt very exposed, especially coming from an isolated farm house. We stuck up temporary shades in the bedroom but at night people could see into our lounge, although not really clearly.
1 person likes this
