Mean Neighbor?

Question

My neighbor has this unexplained grudge towards us. We have done nothing wrong to her. In matter of fact we helped her a couple of times. She once had her car door open and I gently knocked on her door and told her that the car door was open and that she should close it. She did not even say Thank You. And every single time she sweeps her driveway she sweeps some of the trash onto our property...and oh my god she sweeps the driveway at least 4 times a week and if there's a piece of trash there she would pick it up and throw in the garbage. She has one bad leg and is always skimping. She doesn't get any visitors and I don't think she has any friends because nobody visits them. She and her mom goes out once in awhile but it's only her and her mom. She does not work and stays at home. She has one dog and when the dog barks she says in a mean tone "shut up!!!!" She seems to have some sort of mental problem but of course I'm just guessing. Talking to her makes it worse. What's up with her?

Answer 1

I am someone who does not like to socialize with my neighbors.  If I see them, we do exchange pleasantries.  

It's hard to tell what is going on with your neighbor.  She could be antisocial or could very well have a mental problem.

I would suggest that you just leave her alone.  She's not really doing anything bad.  Right?

Leave it alone.

Answer 2

She just sounds unfriendly to me.  Honestly, I'd just ignore her from now on.

Answer 3

ok so by sweeping her driveway and telling her dog to shut  that automatically makes her mean?  Uh?

maybe she is being considerate of the neighbors by telling the dog to shut up so he isn't barking and driving everyone up a wall.  Leave her be she's an old lady

Answer 4

There are a few things that could be up with her. She could have a mental problem, as you suggested. She could be a mean person. She could be lonely and sad.

My suggestion would be to start leaving her little gifts on her door now and again. I like muffins for this kind of thing. See if she takes them, and if she rejects even a random act of kindness, I'd suggest just ignoring her. But if she takes them and likes them, you could open up a line of communication by leaving a note in one of them and maybe she'll come talk to you. At the least it might brighten her day and soften her edges.

Answer 5

who cares! i mean i wouldn't worry to much about what is up with her unless your her friend and if you want to be friends with someone like that then i guess it's your choice!  i personally feel it's a waste of time!

so if she sweeps the trash in your yard pick it up and toss it!

it sucks but i can see your not going to get a word in otherwise so just do something about it instead of complaining!

thanks!

Answer 6

Considering she is disabled and elderly and home alone... you might figure she is just in pain and lonely and well older.

What if you went out and swept the driveway for her. I mean unless you are in more pain than her, perhaps it could help? And if she isn't out much she probably figures it is your trash so why should she pick it up? As for the dog perhaps it is indeed for everyone else's benifit that she shuts it up.

If she is sweeping that often it sounds like she really just doesn't have anything else to do.

Perhaps asking her if she knows how to make a certain recipe. Like asking her if she has a favorite way to make chocolate chip cookies or any other family recipe. Then if she shares, take her a batch over after you make them and RAVE about how you love her recipe and can't wait for the next one.

Maybe she didn't say thank you about closing her door because she was thinking you could have offered to close it. I mean nice that you told her, but you could have just told her it was open and say 'Oh I'll close it on my way out'. Just a thought. Mostly considering you said yourself she has a tough time getting around. Perhaps she was just thinking that it was stupid of her to forget. I do that. I get so busy beating myself up about something that I forget to even use my manners. I'm sure it was unintentional.

She honestly just sounds lonely. I would go do things to help out. I would drop off muffins or maybe even dinner. I know many older people don't even have a good meal much because it is a bother. Why make a huge meal for only yourself. So they just eat c**p most of the time. Perhaps if you make a nice roast or meatloaf or something, invite her over. Would it really hurt?

Hope you realize she may just be scared and alone instead of just mean. Good luck. And remember most times, if you aren't part of the solution that means you could be part of the problem.

Answer 7

tell  here way  you  feel       about   stuff

Answer 8

Politely tell her you don't appreciate junk being tossed onto your yard.

If she doesn't accept it make complaints about her.

Answer 9

File a complaint with the police against her for the trash and file a complaint with the local SPCA for the abusiveness against the dog..

I had a neighbor that when he moved in all of us ( neighbors) had already lived on that block for 20 + years.. He would tell everyone what to do on their own property...

I was in a really bad accident I was rear ended and my car was totaled ( frame bent, Trunk smashed in)  he had the audacity to ask me when "that hunk of junk was going to be moved because it was an eye sore" I was waiting for the insurance company... What a Jerk.. My neighbor across the street had an old car in his drive way for over 20 years the new neighbor made him get rid of it...This neighbor did the same thing with the trash because he assumed it came from us which it didn't.. People use to party in front of his house and make a mess, he blamed it on us.. I am 43 it wasn't  me

Good Luck...

Your only other option is to take photos and document every thing and take her to small claims court

Answer 10

No, she is not mean, maybe her leg is keeping her from throwing away garbage. maybe if she doesn't talk to her dog in the tone she does he/she won't listen to her, any wase by quieting the dog she is doing a favor for you and other neighbors, you wouldn't want a dog barking 24-7 would you?