Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Being harassed by neighbors, what do i do?

I am 48 yr.s old, mind my own business, and I am not unfriendly or stuck up. I live in a kind of bad neighborhood, grew up on this street (when it WASN'T a bad neighborhood), and I am being harassed and talked about by my trashy neighbors. It all started when a couple of cops came to my door inquiring about about a call about a baby. I informed them that there was no baby here, try across the street or next door. The next day, i heard the neighbor next talking VERY loudly, on purpose so I could hear, telling whoever it was that "yeah, and this cop calling ***** next door, i'm about to go OFF on her.) I was shocked! Next thing I know, every time I came out my door, she was calling me a cop caller, or a ***** or other nasty names I'd rather not repeat, or talking loudly with the OTHER neighbors about me. Then it escalated. I was being accused of vandalizing a different neighbors truck! ( I sure get around, don't I?) It seems like every time I walk out my door, i've done something different! I want to move, but dammit, I've been here 7 years, have a beautiful flower garden that has taken years to establish, and besides that, I'm stubborn as hell and do NOT want to give them the satisfaction! What can I do? Ignore the nonsense? I'm just so sick of it all...

Update:

So many good answers! The video taping is definitely a little extreme, after all, who is going to talk or do anything while they are being taped? But killing with kindness, not sure If i can do it, but it sounds good. I definitely dont want to sink to their levels, so I think the best answer is to IGNORE them all and pretend like they dont exist. I can do that, at least. Being kind to them, well, I dont know about that....

7 Answers

Relevance
  • 10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Sadly, I don't think there's much you can do. :( People can be ridiculous, and they sound like the sort that will keep pushing your buttons. I'd just keep your head up, be civil towards them, and hope they grow up and back off.

  • 10 years ago

    There is nothing bullies hate more than when you're not responsive to their abuse. zkill them with kindness. Apologize for anything you might've done to upset her and say that it honestly wasn't your intention to do so. Tell her you hope to be civil with her and end your feud. If this doesn't work, be the sweetest person you know. When she trash talks you, act like you don't know who she's talking about and join in on that banter as though it were some delicious gossip she let you in on. Gain all the other neighbors with your friendship the same way so she has no one to go to and she just looks like a bitter witch and people won't want to talk to her about you because you're they're friend. Invite her over, make her muffins and such. If this doesn't work, I'm afraid you'll have to get nasty too. Do simple things that would irritate her but she has no way to prove it was you. Smirk and add apologetically "oh what a shame" Unfortunately then you'll have years of neighborly feuds and neither one of you will give in. Kindness is that was to go, I wouldn't even start being nasty because it's not good for either of you. Just keep being nice to her, it usually would just soften her up, even if it doesn't it's better than making a bitter witch of yourself. You don't have to admit you're sorry for what you did, just say you're sorry it upset you and you didn't mean it. She'll think it's submission and you'll know it's not

    Source(s): Personal experience
  • 10 years ago

    The next time you shout at by a neighbor - shout back.

    or

    Put on a show : walk up to them and ask (calmly) why are they yelling ("play dumb"), stare them right in the eyes when doing so (keep saying to yourself the more you stay calm, the more freaked out they would be, so you will have better motivation).

    or

    Why not living up to the expectations? "look them up" in the smallest details. Not necessarily call the cops all the time, but people tend to shut up when you start file civil suits against them.

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Video tape them acting the fool and use the footage to get a restraining order. You will need to have multiple flagrant examples over a period of time to prove they are really harassing you. If you manage to get a restraining order and you film them breaking the order they will go to jail.

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Don't let anybody push you around. Take their words with a grain of salt. Trust me, they aren't worth a second of your time. And you certainly shouldn't move because of them.

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Move.

  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Time to move do it ..

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.