I just had an standoff with a neighbour who told me 'to go back to where i come from'?

Question

I am from Wales, my Wife from Greece. I took this as a personal attack?
Do you think i am right to take this matter further.
Since my Wife is 5 month Pregnant? She caused her to be very ill. We live in London.
This woman typed a three page letter and put it through our door after telling us how to park our cars. I told her it is none of our business how we park our cars as long as i am not blocking her in. I live no where near her and cause no one any harm.

Answer 1

I see bigotry here, but not a "hate crime" scenario. As your wife is enciente, you are right to be concerned, and I would suggest two things.

Show a copy of the letter this woman stuck under your door to the local constable or police. In any future dealings with this neighbor, it has become better than eyewitness testimony to videotape every time you are dealing with this neighbor face to face. That way, if a trial or charges are ever necessary, you have a documented trail of evidence showing what you do during these encounters, but more importantly, what SHE does.

This does not give you licence to provoke a situation for the benefit of the video. You must act as an adult would, if you expect that same behavior in others. If she perceives you are parking your cars (we ARE talking about London, after all, I understand parking is as precious there as it is in New York City) in a way which causes her inconvenience, two reasonable adults should be able to come to terms maturely, without insults and acrimony. You two are more than likely going to be neighbors for the foreseeable future, which could translate into years. Do you want to spend all that time having fights and playing "One-Up-Manship" games? For the sake of your wife, who needs as little stress as possible, and the sake of your coming chilld, show a good example.

Answer 2

Hi there, I personally would keep this letter as evidence, and also start keeping a record of anything else (if it happens) regarding them. I would personally do nothing at this stage, and just see if she does? Even keep records showing how this is affecting your wife, and if you do get to the point were legal advise is needed, you'll have evidence to show.
This is a sad world were people now A days, believe they have the right how to tell others how to live. Chin up, if your honestly not doing any harm to her, or blocking her home, she will have no case to answer to, and she will be the one who looks an idiot. Is there other neighbour's your friendly with who might also be having this problem with them? Might be worth finding this information out, then you can back each other up.
Good luck

Answer 3

It goes the other way too. I'm Welsh and we live in Wales, my partner is English and he gets all the "get back to England you English bastard" comments from various ignorant, stupid people. It p*sses me off no end.

I don't know if it counts as "racism" as Welsh is not a separate "race" to English - its a nationality, but if you feel that this was a serious personal attack that I would contact the police and ask what your rights are.

I had a standoff with a nasty old witch of a neighbour who threatened to put rat poison down to poison my cat with. Fair enough, she got a visit from a police officer, who warned her about making threats of criminal damage, which you can be prosecuted for (that would also come under animal cruelty). She never bothered me again. Get the police involved if you have to.

Answer 4

Your pregnant wife certainly does not need this type of harrassment. Bring the letter in to the local police and see if you can at least get an order or protection which would keep her away from you and your family.

I would not suggest writting a letter of retaliation as that would simply put you just as low on the ladder as that woman is.

Hopefully all will work out soon. Congratulations, and best of luck.

Answer 5

If there is a lot of racist conotation in the letter then I would certainly give it to the police. Even if they only go and warn her, it would probably scare the living hell out of her.

However the best way to get to this nasty scum is to completely ignore them. Ask if your neighbours have had anything from this stupid woman, if they have then it's probably time to take proper action against her.

A horrible situation to be in, but people like that should not be allowed to bully other people.

Answer 6

let it go for now and keep parking the way you park and then after you get more from her i then would go to the police and get herassment charges brought up on her . if your wife becomes ill again due to this womans ill manors i then would go back to the police and get the woman for endangering a small unborn child. hope this helps oh to really piss her off next time you see her coming park right in middle of road and act like your vehical rolled off that will piss in her wheaties.

Answer 7

report it to the police and if it continues get a solicitor to type a 2 page letter to inform her the penalities of harrasing a 5 month pregnant women

Answer 8

This woman is bigoted, ignorant and vindictive and does not deserve a response from you. Ignore her for now but if she continues to persecute you and your wife, call the police - there is no excuse for behaviour like this. Harrassment is an offence, as is defammation and (in the event that she tries to get others to support her) inciting racial hatred (assuming either you or your wife belongs to a different racial group from her). Good luck and try not to let her get to you!

Answer 9

File the letter with the police as harassment. If something else occurs file it as well... Then take out a restraining order. Followup.

Anything you do with the letter like wiping your buns and throwing it in her face may allow her to file an incident report on you; then you would look like the aggressor.

Answer 10

You can do her for Racially aggravated Conduct (breech of the peace) but please don't she didn't mean it, my hubby is waiting trial after abuse from an Asian guy and hubby told him to go back to where he came from, was arrested spent night in jail trial next week, if he gets fined he looses his job? so in the long run it might be another person added to unemployment list. So anyone thinking the same please stop and think of the consequences of charging someone - no wonder there is racial hatred in the UK, may I add if the Asian had said something to us nothing can be done.