My husband and I just bought a house and moved in. We LOVE it, but we have a lady next door who I think has some mental issues that has been coming over several times a day asking to use our phone. At first, we thought maybe she was having troubles with her line, so we tried to be neighborly and allowed her to use it. The other day, she came over, asked to use the phone, and next thing I knew she was crying to whoever it was she was talking to- and not just crying- screaming and bawling like a little kid crying. She has never been in the house when my children were here, which is good because I'm sure that would have scared them to death- but how can I tell her to stop coming over WITHOUT setting her off?? If she's crazy I don't want to face her alone..
2006-07-18 08:49:50 · 14 answers · asked by Jennifer F 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I refuse to buy the woman a phone.. it's not my problem she doesn't have one and if I bought her a phone I'm almost 100 percent positive she'd be here every day wanting money for something. All I want is to figure out a way to get her to leave me alone without setting her off...
2006-07-18 09:19:45 · update #1
This is horrible! Even if she is not clinically mentally ill, you are correct in thinking she is an emotional time bomb. Additionally you are right to keep her from your kids!!
I suppose a quick fix would be to tell her you are waiting for an important call and tell her she can not use your phone. Of course, she will be back the next day. You could tell you would be happy to put a call into the phone company for her so that her phone line can be repaired or reinstalled.
You could tell her outright that it is an inconvenience to have her use your phone.
2006-07-18 08:58:06 · answer #1 · answered by LongAgo 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
This is about as simple as just saying to the woman, the next time she shows up and asks, No, I'm sorry, but you may not use our phone. You do not owe her any reason or explanation what so ever, so the conversation becomes very brief. Gently but firmly close the door, and leaver her to go away.
If you do feel obligated to offer her a reason, bring up the fit she threw, and say that you will not tolerate that sort of thing and don't intend to risk a repeat performance. Again, don't wait for her to argue or protest, close the door and forget about it.
2006-07-18 09:10:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is an ongoing thing, I would talk to a family member of hers (does she live alone?) and ask if she has a phone, or any issues you should know about. If you don't figure something out you will be scared to leave the house or come home, for fear of running into her, and that is the worst!
2006-07-18 09:01:12 · answer #3 · answered by smartbunny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't make yourself so available (say you were in the shower or out if she asks) and maybe get a gate with a lock (and tell her it was for security reasons or to stop the kids getting out, if she asks). You're right to be cautious as tears could easily turn to maliciousness and violence if you set her off. If you feel as if your family is in any sort of danger from her, I'd enquire at your local council office for whether there is any sort of neighbour intervention scheme who could mediate with you and this woman and hopefully they will see what a fruitcake she is.
2006-07-18 08:57:34 · answer #4 · answered by starchilde5 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to her. Tell her she needs to get her own phone and her coming over has to stop. After that don't open the door for her if she tries to do it again. If she's offended, better still, you don't have to be friends with her anymore.
2006-07-18 21:06:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol youre not alone. i got this crazy cat woman next door who has like how many cats. then theres this 30 year old dude that lives across the street that likes to plays drums wow does he suck. he plays till like 9:00.
i dont know why your neighbor is crying and stuff, but if she really needs a phone, buy her one.
2006-07-18 08:57:15 · answer #6 · answered by Legend 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is peace of mind worth? The price of a phone line?
Geez, that sounds like a cop out
2006-07-18 08:54:38 · answer #7 · answered by gamerunner2001 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just ask her if the phone company has given her a timeframe for fixing her phone.
if she says she doesn't have a phone, then you may need to be blunt about things and tell her she can't keep using your phone because you need the line free for incoming calls or emergencies.......hopefully she'll understand. if not, then you'll know for sure she's crazy!
2006-07-18 08:56:39 · answer #8 · answered by zoo2626 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try telling her your phone is on the fritz, or just don't answer the door - she'll get the hint pretty quick
2006-07-18 08:53:36 · answer #9 · answered by woodlands127 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe someone died and she just crying like want happened yesterday or the day before. Give her time
2006-07-18 08:56:53 · answer #10 · answered by BENDER IS THE BOMB!!! (Fav show) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋