Is this normal behaviour...??

[jd_1984]

Someone has posted about "noise" from a neighbour and it prompted me to ask something to see if it is just me or whether my neighbours behaviour is out of order......;

Two nights ago at 2am I was woken up by our doorbell being rung repeatedly. Whoever it was was not giving up until one of us went down. My mind raced, has somebody had an accident, is it a friend or family member in trouble, the police.....??

Turns out it was our neighbour, a strange middle aged man who lives alone and hasnt spoken to us once in 3 months despite us being friendly and acknowledging him as neighbours should.

Our side gate had not been put on the "snip" and was therefore rattling in the high winds.

Yes I admit, our fault and yes it could be quite annoying. But we are very quiet considering we are a young couple with a toddler, no crazy party's, no mess. This was a total one off and did it really warrant all three of us being woken at 2am, toddler screaming, partner really scared and me creeping downstairs in my undies to see what the hell was going on!

I wouldnt have minded if he had proped the gate open with something then explained what had happened the next day, I would have graciously apologised.

It was a rattling gate for god sake! The neighbour on the other side did the EXACT same thing a week previous and yes we were aware of a rattle, but I personally would not dream of waking a family up. I would go round the next day and politely explainthat the gate had kept us up and that would be that.

This guy was really rude to me as well "I cant sleep, I want you to lock your gate, this is a p*ss take, I cant sleep...." He went on for what seemed like a full minute.

So, half asleep I went out and put the snip on to prevent the rattle.

Im still annoyed now and want to confront him

[ummmm]

I wouldn't have been so polite.

[albaqwerty]

let it go.
Be the bigger person and ignore him in future.

[craft1948]

I'd have wrapped the gate round his neck and said "Is it rattling now?"

[lcg]

tell him that next time, he should have the sense to sort the gate himself and not wake you and your baby up at 2am. and add that your gate may be noisy if it slips off the latch, but he is a rude pig for waking you at that time....and their is no excuse for it....or the bloody swearing.

[friedgreentomato]

There is no point in confronting him, let it go.

[chaptazbru]

You say he's strange, would confronting him do any good? I doubt it. I think I'd just put it down to experience and make sure it doesn't happen again. He sounds quite a sad character actually.

[jd_1984]

Really..... wow!
Like I say we are quiet and considerate people who totally by accident didnt didnt put the snip on the gate. If it had been a series of things perhaps he reached the end of his tether and went mad at us I could understand.

[chaptazbru]

But then again, I quite like craft's suggestion ........ (lol)

[yogasun]

How ridiculous, I don't consider that normal behaviour at all but over the last few years I realise that not everyone thinks as we do. I always try to put myself in the other person's shoes - in this case no way would I have woken someone up for that reason.

[lcg]

and no, it is not normal behaviour....he obviously can't think of anyone but himself. do you have to confront him? it may make things worse....if he already has a few screws that are loose, he could get really weird or abusive.

[Prudie]

I'd still politely confront him but having been kept awake by noise myself that has driven me to pure distraction I can understand his action- he obviously got overtired and flipped.

[jd_1984]

He seems to me a loner.
Perhaps choses to live alone and likes things just so. The thought of distraction or change to his life and routine really unsettles him. Thats my (totally opinion based ofcourse) view of the man

[Smowball]

I would be furious if a neighbour had knocked on my door at 2am!! Like you say, he could have propped it open/shut with something and then spoken to you in the morning.

[chris1957au]

Don't get mad get even, just wait, your turn will come I'm a great beliver in that.

[chaptazbru]

I agree with that jd.

[Sqad]

\\\\Yes I admit, our fault and yes it could be quite annoying.\\

Could be? It was for HIM...........and it would be for me.

\\me creeping downstairs in my undies to see what the hell was going on! \\

For me, that would be some consolation.........;-)

[sherrardk]

There's nutters everywhere, we've got one next door to us with 'parking' issues. Maybe you should stop being quite so considerate. I also like Craft's suggestion.

[jd_1984]

He doesnt even look over if we are in the front garden at the same time, I will glance over thinking I may acknowledge him, but no...nothing. He rarely goes out, has no visitors and lives alone. Like I say, probably out of choice as his personal skills are total rubbish.
He knows we have a toddler. The way he reacted it was like we had thrown a crazy out of control party. Took an hour to settle the little one and as I work away sometimes my partner was unsettled by it.

[Smowball]

LOL Sqad.

[Smowball]

You could always knock on HIS door at 2am and say 'Its not rattling anymore' : )