[VENT/ADVICE] new neighbourhood, new issues

I have 2 small issues. I didn't think it would warrant 2 threads, as they're pretty small. But I've been pondering, and would love some opinions.

Issue 1. (vent, and maybe a little advice)
We recently moved into a smaller place. We've downgraded from a 3bdrm house, to a 3bdrm townhouse. We love it here, despite a couple of challenges with a smaller garage and less parking space etc when we have visitors. We're very lucky, and have the corner block. We have the big backyard, and room for 2 cars to park outside of our courtyard area. If cars are parked there though, our garage is blocked. Fine when they're our visitors, or it's DP's work van.

Before we moved in, we noticed there was an unregisterd car parked in one of our spots. The day we arrived, I knocked on the neighbours door to see if they owned it, and asked them to move it. (nicely of course). The guy obliged, but seemed a bit put out. I didn't give it a second thought. Until the other day. DP was out the front doing manly stuff, (washing his van etc) when this guy's partner came out to talk to DP. This is the conversation as DP tells it.

lady - I was wondering if it'd be ok for my partner to park his car in that spot outside your place, since it's unregistered.
DP - Sorry, but when there's a car parked there we can't get out of our garage. We already explained this to him.
lady - Oh. But you park your car there all the time.
DP - Well it's our spot...................... and since I leave for work at 4.30 every day, it's not in the way if my partner needs to get the car out because I'm gone by then.
lady - Oh, but-
DP - Look. I COULD let you park there, but then I'd have to come and ask you to move the car all the time. That'd be annoying for everyone. You could give me the keys and I could move it, but I don't want to. The corner block was empty for months before we leased it. You've parked your car there all that time. If parking was such an issue for you, then maybe you should have applied to move into the corner block so you have room for your cars. Otherwise, you'll have to park it on the street like everyone else.


I don't know what the lady said in response to this.... but DP said she accepted what he said and walked away. I don't think it was a confrontation or anything, but DP doesn't beat around the bush so no doubt she left feeling a bit ****ed off. Their request is unreasonable though, for the reasons stated above. And it's our fricken spot! If I want to park my car there, then I will. But I don't like feeling as if they're watching where I park, and then getting their panties in a twist over it. Even if it is none of their business, it's a slight annoyance.

Issue 2 - (advice)

The other day while taking DS and the dog for a walk, we encountered a weird lady. She was hovering around the park with her dog. When she spotted us coming, she rushed out to the path to meet us. I tried to look uninterested without being rude. Our dog doesn't deal well with other dogs (he spazzes out bigtime, gets over excited and nearly chokes himself on his lead trying to get to the other dog every single time). She approached anyway, and stood next to DS, smoking a cigarette. (first wtf right there). I distanced DS from her, and tried to keep the dog at bay. She started a conversation about how our dog was acting... and we explained he's a rescue dog and a bit of a spaz. I also explained that he's not well socialised, and so it was best to keep some distance between our dogs. She kept on talking....... she just seemed weird. Ignored the baby completely and was gushing over the dog, while spraying us all with tobacco smoke. Mmmm. I made it pretty clear I wanted to get out of there after a minute or two of humouring her. DP and I started walking. She followed us, and kept chatting. All the while, my dog going berserk. Another lady with a dog walked past, and the weird lady intercepted her too, so now I'm stuck with two strange dogs riling mine up. Grr. Eventually I've had enough and I say sharply 'I'm going to put some distance between us or T isn't going to settle down.' She looked bewildered, then followed the OTHER lady with her dog. The other lady looked uncomfortable too.

Fast forward to the end of our walk, and we see her coming the opposite way again. I go to cross the street, but she stops us again! And starts jabbering on about something pointless AGAIN. I say to her again 'he can't be around other dogs. We have to go'. And she looks bewildered again and walks off. Geeeeez, lady! I'm all for being friendly but seriously.. wtf.

I'm wondering what you would all suggest should I encounter her again, what you would do in that situation. I feel like if I encounter her again I'm going to tell her to eff off and leave me alone. Not so classy. Alternatives please? lol.

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Ok, so these aren't of earth-shattering importance. But I'm curious. WWYD?

No idea on the first one but it seems to have sorted itself out.

Re: weird lady. I suspect she has an intellectual disability or mental health problem so I think you need to be firm with her without being abusive.

:hug: on the first issue, I think your man did a great job in explaining your stance on the parking situation, too bad if it puts their noses out its your spot, you pay for it as part of your leasing that property, end of story. IF they happen to park there in future simply tell them the next time it happens that you will call a tow company to remove it, or the police!

on the second issue - If you see the lady again and again she tries to engage you just "remind" her about your dog (I told you last time T is not a social dog PLEASE keep your distance) and if it continues just walk pup at different times and see when she is or isn't at the park.

:hug:

1st one seems sorted. Just ignore it now. Conversation has been done. and it's not like they have put their car back there...

2nd just kindle smile and say something along the lines of "Sorry to be rude i'm just going to have a quiet walk by myself today" or "sorry to be rude, but I've gotta keep moving"

Yeah, the first one is pretty much dealt with, just interested what others thought :)

The weird lady though, hmmm. Maybe headphones are the answer to this one lol! Ignorance is bliss.

People are crazy about car spots in units/townhouses! It is your parking spot that you pay for with your rent. You have every right to park there - or not! Good on your man for saying it plaining as possible, fingers crossed they leave the spot be.

That lady be crazy. I would lose it with the smoking thing alone, you did well to handle it.

I hope the first one is sorted out - very rude that they pushed it though!

If the old woman had cats instead of dogs you'd know it is craziness. But with dogs... not so spottable for some reason. "My dog can't cope, I am taking him away from your dog" followed (if needed by) "please don't follow my dog" would probably work - that way it's your dog who doesn't want her dog around, not you getting creeped out. Or maybe just take your dog out at another time if she really doesn't get the message. At least she goes away when you tell her, even if she doesn't understand why.

Just a q on the car parking - is it actually your property, or is it common property? Couldn't work it out from what you said (placenta brain!)

If the car spot problem arises again, go straight to the real estate and report it.

With the old lady I would just keep on walking past her, if she follows then a quick remark about your dog not being good with other dogs, or something similar, but dont stop walking. I know its rude but if you dont want to engage her than sometimes being rude is worth it to get the outcome you want.

Did the lady with the dog have a touch of aspergers, perhaps?

TFB - I thought it was really rude of them to even suggest we let them block us in by parking in front of our place.. I mean, seriously. It's not really practical.

Surprised - It's technically common property, but if a car is parked there we can't get out of our garage at all. They aren't even parking spaces, really. It's actually the area provided for us to reverse our car out into. Sometimes we park there as it's a pain to get DS out of the car while in the tiny garage, so it stays outside till I bring it in. But everyone else parks in their 'driveway' when needed.... it's their spot. It's in front of their place, and if I parked my car there.. well that'd be rude. I hope that made sense lol

beansbeans - It's a pity our real estate doesn't lease all the townhouses in the block. Just ours. If the problem does present again, I'll call a tow truck, I guess.. but I don't really want to have a problem with a neighbour, so I hope they just get it through their heads.

Marushke - It crossed my mind!

Thanks everyone for the replies, makes me feel less crazy for being slightly annoyed lol