Humans are social creatures; we live in groups. However, in a place with a high population density, we can't always choose who we want to live with. It doesn't matter whether you live in an apartment in the city center or in a big house on the outskirts, there will always be neighbors who want to know what you're doing. You must know how to deal with this situation in a polite and friendly manner.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Assessing the Situation
Step 1. Pay attention to your problem
In order for you to deal with this problem effectively, you must first understand what you are dealing with. Answer the following questions:
- How long has this been going on?
- How many of your neighbors are nosy?
- Do you really live in a nosy neighborhood?
- How long do you want to stay in this area?
Step 2. Look for certain patterns in your neighbor's nosy attitude
Are they nosy at times? Maybe their nosy attitude stems from something in their own lives. Maybe they are nosy about what's going on in your life. Maybe they're nosy about your kids, your guests, or what you're doing in the yard.
Step 3. Think about why your neighbors are nosy
Try to understand their motives. If you think they are nosy and invade your privacy in some way, there must be a reason why they are so curious about your life and habits. Maybe your neighbors are really nosy people; or maybe they have other reasons to spy on your life.
- Are they new people and just trying to understand the new environment around them?
- Are they looking for entertainment by peeking at your life?
- Did you do something fishy, fun or interesting, that they were interested in?
Step 4. Talk to the nosy neighbor
Study them as much as you can without getting too involved. This will help you determine if the neighbor is malicious, just having fun, or has just moved in and needs a friend.
Step 5. Decide how you would deal with this situation
You can confront them head-on, avoid them, or befriend them.
- If your neighbors seem lonely and bored and just seem to be nosy because they need friends, try talking to them, introducing them to other neighbors, and suggesting fun things they can do.
- If your neighbors are nosy, but you don't want to confront them head-on, find ways to avoid their annoyance. For example, if they are constantly peeking at your house, build a fence or do your activities indoors; or if they always ask you about personal things, think about how you can avoid talking to them.
- If your neighbors enjoy snooping around your house to do unsavory things, such as stealing things or reporting your illegal activities, you may want to increase your security. Ask them to stop being nosy. If the situation becomes unsafe for your family and property, report it to the appropriate authorities.
Method 2 of 3: Avoiding Nosy Neighbors
Step 1. Be a wise person
You don't have to lower yourself to their level. Just carry on with your business carelessly and happily. No need to be rude or threatening. If they have nothing else to do but peek at you, they are wasting time, not you.
Step 2. Pretend to listen to music
If you're busy and don't have time to deal with nagging, pretend to be listening to music on your phone or iPod. When passing through common areas such as corridors, elevators, parks, or places frequented by neighbors, put on your headphones. This way, you will reduce unnecessary interactions. Your nosy neighbors will find you unavailable to talk to, and they'll look for easier targets.
- It will be more helpful if your headphones are the kind that can be seen clearly from a distance. If someone comes up to you before seeing that you're wearing headphones, that person will still say what they wanted to say.
- Some people are less sensitive and will still ask what they want to ask even though you are already wearing headphones.
Step 3. Pretend to be on the phone
Make sure your phone is in silent mode and vibrate mode should also be turned off. Whenever they approach you, put your phone to your ear and pretend you're on the phone. Don't forget to smile and nod to them on the phone. This will give the impression that you are not trying to avoid them; You are indeed at work. Say things like:
- "Yes, yes, soon done. I'll send it tomorrow."
- "How was the report? I heard you were confused?"
- "There's a mistake we need to fix right away."
- Or you could use filler phrases like, "Yeah, yeah…" and "Hmm? Mhm," or "OK," in your fake phone call. This is the best option if you are unsure about your ability to make fake calls.
Step 4. Don't "hang out" in front of your neighbors
Sit in the back of the house or choose another place out of sight of them. You can do this for several activities: burning food or playing with your child in the backyard is just as easy as in the front yard. However, this is certainly not a permanent solution. This is an evasion technique.
- If your neighbors are very nosy, they will still have a way of snooping around your house even if you try to avoid them. You may be able to hide once or twice in the backyard, but in the future your neighbors may be even more nosy.
- Your life will be ruled by your neighbors if you live by constantly avoiding them. If the problem is this serious, you may have to face it head-on or ignore your neighbor. Of course you will get tired if you have to keep running away from other people.
Step 5. Act like you're not doing anything
Thus, there is no reason for them to watch your life. If your neighbors are always asking what you are doing and why you are doing it, the best solution is to do nothing. Try your best to make yourself seem unattractive. Continue your activities after they leave.
Of course, remember that if you look like you're not doing anything, your neighbors will think you're talking to them. When in doubt, it's better to avoid or confront your neighbors than wait for them to leave
Step 6. Increase home security
This may be a wise choice if you feel that your neighbors are always snooping around your house. Your house key. When going on vacation, install a security system or surveillance camera. Ask another neighbor to keep an eye on the house while you're away, just in case that nosy neighbor starts peeking again. If necessary, buy a guard dog.
- Keep in mind that depending on your neighbor's situation, this approach is close to being paranoid. Maybe your neighbor did break into your house while you were away; maybe you just have a bad feeling about them.
- If you believe your neighbor is entering your home without permission, confront them and ask them to stop. Remind them, if they continue to do this, you will not hesitate to call the authorities.
Step 7. Assign a keyword to them
For example, the words "activity" or "spider". By doing so, you'll remind your family to behave as they've been told: go to the backyard, or start making loud noises.
Step 8. Build the fence
If you want your neighbors to stop snooping around, build a fence between you and your neighbor's house. First consider the laws of building a fence in your area. If this fence is to be erected between your house and a neighbor, you may need permission from that neighbor. Make sure you don't build into their soil, or they'll be even more annoying.
- There are good reasons to build a fence around the house, for example the presence of dogs or children. You can say that you don't want dogs running around.
- If you don't like the concept of a fence, plant a bush or a bunch of trees. However, keep in mind that these plants take years to grow.
- Consider whether you really want to feel confined because your neighbor is nosy. Maybe the problem will indeed be solved by building a fence, but your neighbors can actually be more creative and nosy.
Step 9. Be unpredictable
When they go outside, go inside the house, and come out again in 5 minutes. Greet them and ask, "Hi, how are you?" Then ask for a glass of sugar or borrow their lawn mower. If you start asking for things, your neighbors will start avoiding you.
Method 3 of 3: Dealing with Nosy Neighbors
Step 1. Stop questioning them
If your neighbor starts asking a lot of personal questions, just say that you don't like them. When they ask again, just answer straight away: "I don't want to talk about that with you." Take a deep look at them, and make sure that you seem serious. Then go. They should understand and not ask again.
- This approach is rough and direct. You may get your point across quickly, but you can also irritate your neighbors' feelings.
- Remember that a nosy neighbor doesn't mean they mean to bother you. It could be that they are genuinely asking out of curiosity. It's possible that they don't have enough social skills to understand which questions are too personal. Be sympathetic, but avoid anything you find too distracting.
- If you've asked your neighbors to stop asking questions, but they continue, maybe you should take something more serious.
Step 2. Watch them while they are peeking
If your neighbors like to peek at you, go after them and say something that will embarrass them. Discreetly tell everyone you're with, then catch them. Say something like this: "Morning Ma'am, what are you doing?" Then watch their faces turn red. If they refuse, just ignore it, shut up and leave. If the snooper persists, deal with it alone and ask him to stop.
Joke about their behavior. Say, for example, "Wow, don't peek!" and they may find that they are nosy. This may stop the behavior
Step 3. Give them some information, then ask about them
If for example they ask "Hey Jon, what are you doing?" a hundred times a day, you just reply with "Oh, it's okay," or "Just having fun." This is not a pleasant answer, and they may have a hard time finding questions to continue the conversation. Then, ask them -- "You alone?" This will stop the nosy people who don't like being teased. If they are not nosy and all this is in your imagination, you can start chatting.
Step 4. Be a nuisance too until they stop being nosy
Noise in the backyard. Play the song out loud. Turn on your lights outside. If they continue to be nosy, this activity will annoy them and they will return to the room.
- Be careful what you do. If you make the situation more complicated, they may not stop and continue to get worse. Think before you start and see if your neighbors are the type to compete. Remember that you have to live with these people.
- Remember that if you start bothering your neighbors, they can call the authorities. If there are police, who "started it" is not important.
Step 5. Consider whether you need to report to the authorities
If your neighbor is too nosy, maybe your choice is just to report it to the police or the local RT. If this neighbor continues to be nosy, you can request an arrest. If your neighbors frequently peek at your house, steal your belongings, or try to enter your home without permission, call the authorities so you don't have to face the situation alone.
