Nosey Neighbors

7-3-2023

Nosey Neighbors (Updated 7-8-23)

You know exactly what I’m referring to, those who is so far up in your business that they have to be surgically removed before you can receive any medical procedure. Yeah, you know…

I’m not talking about the “Howdy Neighbor” and a wave guy next door, or the “Hi Joe” from the lady across the street either. Those are greetings from friendly neighbors who when they see you either wave or sound off with a greeting, hoping for but not necessarily needing a response in return.

In certain cases friendships can “cross the line” until it becomes down and outright meddling. I mean who needs to know who came over; what did you talk about; and what did you eat. It’s almost like someone is standing behind a curtain watching your every move and the telegraphing it to others who have no business being in your business.

When you meet that neighbor for the first time, do you expect to be required to declare where you live, where you work or if in the military what your pay grade or occupation is? They want to know what kind of car you drive, how much money you make and how much you have in the bank. 

They become annoying really fast.

Now buy a new house, a new car or a new television and the inquisition begins all over again. Let alone make a new friend or acquaintance and see who that goes over.

Then when friends come in from out of town, it’s like “party time” over at your house as the planning begins – without your knowledge or consent. In this age of working from home, it doesn’t really matter that you have clients, business meetings or other things going on.

It’s like having a bridge party over at your house – and you don’t even play bridge.

It doesn’t end there. What if they win the lottery, they plan it all out where they’re going to build an entire little community so all YOUR kids, grandkids and so can live in a neat little row, right next to this nosy neighbor.

Ain’t that a hoot?

That’s why I removed my “Welcome” mat from in front of the door and stopped telling people to make themselves at home.

I’d rather they “take themselves back home” and leave me alone.

Maybe my brothers had the right idea – live so far up in the mountains that nobody comes to visit. If they do venture over, there is no B & B or KOA campground nearby, so they have to go all the way back home.

I often ask myself, what would they think if I did that to them? What if I invited myself over to their family gatherings, so I could get into their business? I could maybe chase their friends and family away so that they would never want to come back to their house.

What do you do or say when they become so ingrained in your life? Do you just suck it up, take a deep breath and just ignore their rudeness? Or do you blow your stack, tell them off and watch them leave?

“Do unto me what you want me to do unto you” comes to mind or “don’t ask if I don’t tell you”.

Is that the Christian thing to do? I mean Jesus said to go unto the ends of the earth and tell everyone about him.

Like Jonah, did he really mean Niniva? 

Did Jesus really mean my nosy neighbors, really?

For God so loved the world……. And Jesus did say love thy neighbor as you love yourself.

Does this mean I don’t love myself or my neighbor?

I’m old and a red-head and I’m asking you…….hummm? – RTM