Someone I know has received a complaint from a neighbour about strong cooking smells?

Question

How would you respond?

Answer 1

Best not to fall out with neighbours; things we might not notice can drive someone else mad. Use an extractor fan? Of course, it could be an extractor fan that's causing the problem, ie. extracted smells come out next to the neighbour's back door, in which case they should stop using it!

The neighbours should try to chill out a bit, after all, it's a normal and necessary part of life.

Answer 2

Got a fireplace? Burn one of those fake logs, the stench will mask just about anything. A hooded fan stove with clean filters will help. If it's an apartment and they are stinking out the neighbors, some ideas: 1. Have some courtesy for the neighbors and stop cooking the smelly foods. 2. Invite the neighbor to join you, if they like the food, make enough for them when you cook and take some over. 3. Come to an agreement with the neighbor that you only cook the food on a certain day of the month.
If it's not just a racial thing, where nothing will satisfy the neighbor it's always best to try to compromise.

Answer 3

I would start by apologising and trying to find out what I can do to stop the strong smells Don't want trouble with the neighbours!!

I think putting half a lemon out might do something not too sure!!

I know it sounds silly someone complaining but sometimes the strong smells of Curry or Chinese is a bit too much

I love Curry Chicken Korma is my Fav meal without a doubt I would rather eat Chinese or Indian food than British but sometimes with all the spices mixed together (smell wise) it can be a bit too much and even make me Heave

Answer 4

Unless the source of the cooking smells is a restaurant or takeaway kitchen in a residential area, there is nothing the complainant can do. The someone you know has every right to cook anything she/he wants in the privacy of the home and the neighbour should just shut his/her windows and stop being so nasty about it. Food smells are a matter of taste and it is bad form to say someone else's food smells obnoxious.

Answer 5

Some people will complain about anything i can understand if the smell was of cooking flesh.
I would let them take the complaint to the local council
with a bit of luck It would be in the local paper then others would see how silly these peoples complaints are

Answer 6

Well, personally I find the smell of curries overwhelming, but I love to eat it. When I used to cook in an apartment building tho, I tried to be courteous enough to run the exhaust fan and spray some good smelling stuff. If your friend puts some baking soda in a pan, and simmers it next to what she is cooking, it would help diffuse some of the smell. Some people can be very sensitive to smell, and find some foods offensive.

Answer 7

I've got this problem at the moment, an Indian family moved in and the wife is always cooking with strong stuff, i wouldn't complain about it but each to their own. In general it doesn't bother me but when i wake up at 7am on a Sunday to the smell of onions and garlic when i've got a hangover i do get a bit irritated, can't complain tho as i do get invited over dinner!

Answer 8

Take around a sample of the offending food? May change their minds!! Unless it's tripe or something gruesome like that I don't really see that they have a point.....perhaps the neighbours need something else to moan about? Start having loud sex or playing loud music, then at least they'd have a valid reason to moan!! (Probably just jealous that they can't cook as well!!)

Answer 9

I live on a street with a couple of restauraunts and pubs,i love the smell. Especially in summer,you can sit in the back yard and pretend your somewhere else. I'd tell your friend to carry on cooking,or ask other neighbours if it bothers them.

Answer 10

I doubt there are rules about cooking smells, tell them to live with it. When we had a 'foreign' family move next to us, we used to run around closing windows! 18 years later and we were inhaling deeply and if we got a taste yummy! How about sending a plate of tasty bits over for them to sample, or invite them in to try. Often things smell strong but tast yummy. Its only what youre used to. Being friendly about it could prevent bad feeling. As your friend has to live there, the softly softly approach is better at first. but ultimately its not their problem...