How do you deal with a difficult neighbor?

Question

I am really offended! My neighbor told me that our neighborhood looked like a “cheap trailer park” because of a Nativity scene I put up. I couldn’t believe it. I think there may be grounds for a discrimination lawsuit against him as well. I am really hurt because I love Christmas so much!

I haven’t put my Nativity scene up this year because of this neighbor. I put my nativity scene up during the month of November 2006. It was so cold outside that I couldn’t remove it until Memorial Day of this year. (I live in San Francisco and the temperatures are frigid!)

He told me in April that it was time “to take down the Christmas stuff.” In May, he said the scene made our neighborhood “look like trailer trash.” I couldn’t believe he is so against Christmas!

How do you deal with difficult neighbors like this?

Answer 1

i think you guys are all tools.

Answer 2

I think you should have a right to decorate, but it's also a good idea to stay in line with the rest of the neighborhood. Some neighborhoods have restrictions. And, your neighbor is right ,Christmas decorations should be taken down no later than January 2. It doesn't take long to do that. Dress warmly and if it's that cold take down one decoration at a time, go in warm up and go back out. So, it's probably ok to do tasteful decorations which would include your Nativity scene, but stay within the proper holiday month for the selection decoration. Memorial day is flags, not Christmas trees. Wasn't it cold when you put it up? So, if you can put the decoration up in cold weather, you should be able to take it down in the cold.

Answer 3

I don't think he's against Christmas; he didn't tell you to take it down during Christmas, did he? He told you to take it down four months after Christmas, and you still hadn't taken it down so he went with a harsher reminder. While I agree that he didn't need to be that nasty, I can see his point; leaving Christmas decorations up (Nativity scenes, lights, whatever) for five months after Christmas is a bit trashy.

I live in Illinois, which I would guess is quite a bit colder than San Francisco. Still, by May, you should have at least had one decent weather day to take your Nativity scene down. Decorations are traditionally put up in November and removed in January; you should try to stick with that to avoid keeping seasonal decorations in your yard year-round.

Answer 4

Whilst relocating possibly an noticeable reply, its no longer useful and also you certainly not recognize who your subsequent pals are going to be. The youngsters within the vicinity are united proper now in opposition to your household. When adequate time passes they'll lose interest and transfer directly to any person else. Eventually the little harmony they proportion will disintegrate. You simply ought to hard this one out. As rough as it's, each response you supply will best extra their curiosity in torturing you. Try to suppose of matters to do together with your youngsters as a household. If your youngsters used to get along side one of the different youngsters, invite them alongside. Even regardless that you could have performed not anything unsuitable, talk to the moms and dads and act contrite, probably see in the event that they suppose your youngsters will also be peers once more, present to take them bowling and so forth. If you're making an attempt within the optimistic, it is going to have higher outcome than telling them approximately the poor matters their youngsters are doing. It can also be conducive to helping your youngsters no longer feeling disregarded. In reality the men and women disregarded are those who don't seem to be invited. You have got to simply forget about them. Make your self cross external and do a laugh matters together with your youngsters. If the opposite youngsters act in a threatening means, attempt to list it or have witnesses external the household. Eventually you can be competent to search an ASBO.

Answer 5

i have nothing agaist what ever your faith is but I live in Michgain and the weather here is worse then there trust me 2 ft of snow and ice and talka bout cold "Last year my house had a pipe burst do to the cold ness but i bundled up and took down the xmas deco.

i think it does look trashy when ANYONE leaves there decorations up for to long it shows me someone is really lazy and can't wait a few minuites in the cold to take care of something!

However talk to him communicate your excuses why you took so long ( i wouldn't agree)
but i would put your decorations back up this year i mean just take them down before the end of januaray!
and taht is being respectful to your community and neighbors who knows maybe you'll get some in return

Answer 6

I live in SF too. It is NOT too cold to remove decorations! How cold does it get? 50?

His comments were indeed rude, but it was also rude of you to leave up the decorations for half the year!

Put your scene up, but remove it by the New Year. If you can't manage the traditional New Year, at least by Chinese New Year, which we all celebrate in the city.

Answer 7

Hello!! He is right.. Christmas decorations in May does make your neighborhood look bad.

Answer 8

He is 100% correct. You are eccentric. You have no grounds for a discrimination lawsuit.

Answer 9

So a man believeth in his heart so is he!