New neighbor nice but doing tacky stuff to outside of her house. How to tell her?

Question

She's from another country and I'm sure she isn't aware. We live on a quiet cul d sac of track homes that are fairly close together. Just yesterday she hung a big picture on the outside of her front door. It looks horrible. She also has a stuffed sunshine hanging out there as well.

P.S. She's not old or crazy.

Answer 1

Carrie I know it is hard to respect peoples differences but that is what you are going to have to do. Americans have no idea how much they push there idea of beauty on others. If you choose to live in a tract with a HOA than you are welcome to approach her on that basis. If you did not than you should have. That is where people who wish to live in a boring bland one size fits all neighborhood live.

Personally I love my immigrant neighborhood. Complete with the Mexican with the the pink home and the Rastafarian with the bright green home and me in my yellow and blue home with a dozen wind chimes. I am sure you would run if you even came in the neighborhood. But home is where you are comfortable and those things make her comfortable and make her home feel like home.

live and let live.

Answer 2

A major part of it is poverty. They don't have the money to stay active in other ventures so the common cheap way is talking. Theres only so much one can talk about for hours a day everyday to the same people so gossip and stories come into play. Then also Filipina's tend to be very competitive. Social status means you must show your better then the woman across the street. She buys a new car you need a new car thats more expensive. If you can't afford it best start rumors to slander her on how she is a fraud and not worthy of status in the local neighborhood community. This is more for middle age and older filipina's but even goes to a different extent with young however with fights over who has the better boyfriend, nicer phone and such silly squabbles.

Answer 3

Seriously - that is awful, she has no right offending your good taste with her tacky cr@p. WTF is wrong with people nowadays?

The way I see it, you have several options:

1. Tell her that it's against the law to hang indoor artwork or otherwise tacky sh*t on the outside of your home. And you have been hearing the "other" neighbors talk about calling the cops and, as her friend, you are just warning her ahead of time.

2. Tell her you love it and you wish you had one just like it - more than likely she will offer to give it to you. Just make sure you don't let her see it on the curb on the next trash day.

3. Pay a neighbor kid to throw something at it and ruin it and use the stuffed sunshine as a pinata.

4. Go over late at night and just take it down - appear innocent by going over the next day and telling her that your house was burglarized, ask her if she has anything missing.

5. Have your husband make inappropriate advances toward her, like, all the time - when she turns him down, he can ask her if she knows any nice older single ladies. Maybe that will get her to move.

Best of luck with your problem, I hope I've helped.

Answer 4

Perhaps you aren't aware . . .

Different countries, and certainly different religions, have different customs. I have to think that the things you are describing are either a cultural or religious custom.

Maybe not. Who knows? Why don't you find out. Introduce yourself, if you haven't yet. The "interesting" choice of decorations would be a good way to start a conversation. Find out why she is decorating in this manner.

If it is something cultural or religious, be ready to accept it. Actually, embrace it. This is America (at least I assume you are from the US as well), we aren't all the same, nor should we be.

If it is not religious or cultural, perhaps your new neighbor may be interested in learning a more conformist way of life. Are these things you can buy at WalMart? If it comes from WalMart, it must be proper American, right?

The main thing is to keep an open mind. Perhaps these things will not bother you if you understand why. You might make a new friend in the process as well.

Answer 5

That's what is so great about the United States.
We have so many different nationalities that we as Americans can't understand as to why some people do the things that they do or wear.

Maybe where she is from this is beautiful.
Maybe it is beautiful to her.

Really I don't think you can do anything about it, unless you are in a neighborhood that pays dues and restricted on what goes on the property.

How about this? Why don't you give her something for her door as a house warming gift. Tell her that this item goes on her front door.
Maybe she will use it and not be offended and see it as a beautiful gift from a real nice person.

Answer 6

I believe the constitution allows you to have freedom of expression. However some communities have covenants that are enacted to protect property values.
Have you tried befriending your neighbor? Take a plate of cookies over and introduce yourself. Get to know her. Then you can tell her that her decorations really don't blend in with the theme of the neighborhood. Remember that you can tell her anything, but she may have the right to decorate her home in a manner that she feels best.

Answer 7

Tolerance is a great thing. Talk to her about what these things represent to her. Perhaps you'll then get an insight into why she feels the need to display these things outside.

Answer 8

does your neighborhood happen to have a convenant? if not, maybe a nice note letting her know it's a bit much. you don't have to sign it, good fences, don't ya know. Just keep it light and clean and don't say anything nasty. See what happens.

Answer 9

you mean , how to tell her your taste is better than hers. save your breath, maybe your neighbors are saying the same about your tastes

Answer 10

its her house and she can pretty much do anything she wants as long as its not against the law....
to be honest I don't think you have the right to tell someone how to decorate their house...