What can I say to my neighbor who keeps looking in my window?

Question

I live in an apartment and there is this woman who lives in the same building. Everytime she walks her dog past my living room window and I am in the living room she stops and says hi. It creeps me out! I keep my bedroom blinds closed now because IDK if she looks in there too. What can I say to her, not being rude, but to tell her to knock it off? She's nice and it's not like she is sneeky about it. Thanks!

Answer 1

ask her to stop ( =

Answer 2

Can you close your window or draw the blinds?  If you can't or don't want to do that, there are many ways you can let her know she should knock it off.  Since you don't want to be rude and she is nice, it may be better if you communicate with her non-vebally.

Next time she does this, act startled if you can.  Drop the book/newspaper if you are reading.  Pretend to almost trip and fall if you are walking.  Frown or look annoyed briefly, then smile and greet her back once you "realize" it's just your "friendly" neighbor saying hi.  If she doesn't knock it off, especially if you do this a few times, say, in a joking tone, something like, "Oh!  You scared me!" or "You almost gave me a heart attack!"  If she still doesn't get it, then you'll have to live with it, or say something clear to her, or act increasingly unfriendly.

Dramatic, I know... but worth it if it works.

Answer 3

OMG!  My name is Charles too.

Anyway, try strutting around naked one day.  It's bold and brazen but should do the trick of scaring her off.

Answer 4

Ever heard of peeping toms?  Just tell her it is not legal to be peeking into someone else's home and even though you know she means well, it spooks you out (whether it does or doesn't; she ought to be able to imagine how she'd feel if some guy kept peeking in her windows).

Answer 5

wave and say hello

Answer 6

I don't care what anyone says I think it's rude to bother someone who is inside their home. I can understand a few pleasantries if you were outside but it's a complete invasion of privacy when you are inside your home. The age of the person does not matter, it's common sense.

Edit-- You should not be expected to cover your windows to be allowed privacy. Anyone with any sense would know when you are INSIDE your home you are in your private zone. If things are so different now then years ago then apparently years ago people were very rude to actually infringe upon a person to invade their home.

Answer 7

Keep your blinds closed. She'll get the hint.

Answer 8

every time she walks by start whacking one off. never know, she might come in and help. old people need love too

Answer 9

sounds like a friendly older person-- introduce yourself to he and you may make  a new friend.. things were done quite differently not so long ago, and people used to be more hospitable... try it, see what happens..

Answer 10

My friend  had the same problem and she put clear (mixed with white depending on privacy) decorative glass paint on her windows so no one could "peep". This paint is found at craft stores and wal-marts , and is used in making temporary stained glass windows, and comes in a variety of colors. If you just want clear you can push the brush forward and then up and off and this will create a brush or feather design, depending on how long of brush stroke you make, you will have to practice but I promise it is real easy. This comes off real easy when ready to remove as it is temporary. You will have to make sure it is o.k. with your land lord, I see no problem with it, you may even want to make a stained glass window, your options are to do the whole window as light will still come in, or for more light do the bottom half. Another idea is to get black out shades for the bottom half or a little higher so no one can see in but you still get light, this can be put on a spring rod so not to drill in rentals.

Remember that you do not have to answer the door just because someone knocks.

Another suggestion often used is a note saying do not disturb or do not knock- invitation only.

These people mean no harm and can actually help keep the neighborhood safe, but it is understandable that you want your privacy I have given you suggestions for privacy in general but if you do not like these "round about ways" then you need to say something to her -such as you have been feeling uncomfortable as some neighbors have been looking in your windows and knocking and therefore you are not going to open the door any more when anyone knocks but you will give her a friendly wave when you see her,  or keep telling her that you  can not talk as you just got a chance to sit down and do not allow any more conversation or even open the door completely. Good luck and keep safe as you never know who is watching.

(j.c.penny makes a top down -bottoms up shade which is wonderful!! This allows so many options)

Answer 11

keep your blinds closed and shell get the idea.