Neighborhood Etiquette
- Thread starter The Critic
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I am spoiled in NY, 26 acres mostly woods and 1000' off the road. Most neighbors live in NYC and only come up on weekends.
The only annoying thing that has happened is my mastiff has wandered off a few times and while I spend hours looking I cannot find him.
One neighbor sent him home in the Fedex truck that was making a delivery to their house. Another neighbor called and said they woke up and he was sleeping on their front porch.
The only annoying thing that has happened is my mastiff has wandered off a few times and while I spend hours looking I cannot find him.
One neighbor sent him home in the Fedex truck that was making a delivery to their house. Another neighbor called and said they woke up and he was sleeping on their front porch.
Does your town or community HOA have anything in writing regarding "quiet time"? As long as you obey these, I would think you'd be fine. Washing a car can't possibly be noisy enough to annoy neighbors, unless you're doing it with your grill wire brush.
Others made good suggestions - talk to your neighbors, make friends, explain your situation/work schedule and why you want to wash during those hours. Bribe them with a box of donuts if you have to as a "Nice to meet you, I'm new here" kind of an ice breaker. My guess is any reasonable person would be OK with this, unless you're dealing with an elderly person who thinks you're disturbing their peace, even if they're hard of hearing.
Others made good suggestions - talk to your neighbors, make friends, explain your situation/work schedule and why you want to wash during those hours. Bribe them with a box of donuts if you have to as a "Nice to meet you, I'm new here" kind of an ice breaker. My guess is any reasonable person would be OK with this, unless you're dealing with an elderly person who thinks you're disturbing their peace, even if they're hard of hearing.
Nobody else has mentioned it so I will.
If you can hear your neighbor putting away dishes from across the street, one wonders what else you might hear?
Washing a car in the evening shouldn't be a problem, that is unless the local laws prohibit such a thing due to water wastage or soap pollution or whatever excuse the local govt has come up with.
If you can hear your neighbor putting away dishes from across the street, one wonders what else you might hear?
Washing a car in the evening shouldn't be a problem, that is unless the local laws prohibit such a thing due to water wastage or soap pollution or whatever excuse the local govt has come up with.
I assumed the dishes comment was with a window or door open. Otherwise, everyone has poor insulation.
I wouldn't ask the neighbors anything. If it bothers someone, let them approach you.
If I'm polishing or waxing a car I'm more likely to do it after 8 PM, once the children have gone to bed and I have plenty of time to work without interruption. My air compressor cycles from time to time when I blow out pads - if it doesn't wake my wife or children, it's not too loud for the neighbors.
Originally Posted by Miller88
I'm in a nicer neighborhood, lake view with a lot of $150-$250K houses - mine excluded, and all of the neighbors seem to have the mindset of "If it's not happening on my property it's not my concern". I like it like that. Once in a while one of the neighbors is a bit loud at night. Once in a while I'm loud at night. Everyone so far seems to be reasonable.
I'm in a similar situation and I count myself blessed.
I wouldn't ask the neighbors anything. If it bothers someone, let them approach you.
If I'm polishing or waxing a car I'm more likely to do it after 8 PM, once the children have gone to bed and I have plenty of time to work without interruption. My air compressor cycles from time to time when I blow out pads - if it doesn't wake my wife or children, it's not too loud for the neighbors.
Originally Posted by Miller88
I'm in a nicer neighborhood, lake view with a lot of $150-$250K houses - mine excluded, and all of the neighbors seem to have the mindset of "If it's not happening on my property it's not my concern". I like it like that. Once in a while one of the neighbors is a bit loud at night. Once in a while I'm loud at night. Everyone so far seems to be reasonable.
I'm in a similar situation and I count myself blessed.
I doubt anybody would care if someone was washing their vehicle.
Go for it.
Is the pail metal? If so get a plastic one.
9 PM would be the latest for me though, not enough sunlight.
Is the pail metal? If so get a plastic one.
9 PM would be the latest for me though, not enough sunlight.
Originally Posted by atikovi
I couldn't image washing cars in the night. Are you a vampire?
Sunlight burns!
I couldn't image washing cars in the night. Are you a vampire?
Sunlight burns!
In a way, I agree it's good to ask but for whatever reason be prepared for someone to say no then all of the sudden you'll never be able to.
It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask for permission. This of course depends on your relationship with your neighbors.
It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask for permission. This of course depends on your relationship with your neighbors.
If once you start washing the car, you hear the baby next door start crying ... yes, you're making too much noise.
what is a higher-end neighborhood ?
Originally Posted by Mr Nice
I doubt anybody would care if someone was washing their vehicle.
Some people can get worked up over anything, but as long as there's not a nutty busybody close by, I think just washing a car should be perfectly fine to the vast majority of people. Of course that's assuming no loud power equipment or music. If you have that one crazy neighbor though, who knows what will set them off. There's a lady that lives on my parents' street who is like that and has never changed...25 years ago she complained to my mom that I shouldn't play outside (in our own yard) barefoot "because of snakes"...more recently when new neighbors moved into the house next to my parents, she complained about the moving truck, which was in their own driveway. That one got her told to "mind your own business." Most half way rational/sane people won't be bothered by the sounds of someone washing their car by hand though, even in a nice neighborhood. Probably the bigger issue than noise would be if there are restrictions on water usage.
I doubt anybody would care if someone was washing their vehicle.
Some people can get worked up over anything, but as long as there's not a nutty busybody close by, I think just washing a car should be perfectly fine to the vast majority of people. Of course that's assuming no loud power equipment or music. If you have that one crazy neighbor though, who knows what will set them off. There's a lady that lives on my parents' street who is like that and has never changed...25 years ago she complained to my mom that I shouldn't play outside (in our own yard) barefoot "because of snakes"...more recently when new neighbors moved into the house next to my parents, she complained about the moving truck, which was in their own driveway. That one got her told to "mind your own business." Most half way rational/sane people won't be bothered by the sounds of someone washing their car by hand though, even in a nice neighborhood. Probably the bigger issue than noise would be if there are restrictions on water usage.
Originally Posted by Bjornviken
what is a higher-end neighborhood ?
Like this one a mile up the road where I take pictures of all my cars.
![[Linked Image from fototime.com]](http://www.fototime.com/11D932187AF4EBE/large.jpg "[Linked Image from fototime.com]")
what is a higher-end neighborhood ?
Like this one a mile up the road where I take pictures of all my cars.
Originally Posted by jeepman3071
If filling a water bucket with a hose at 8pm causes any disturbance in your neighborhood then you have bigger issues.
My thoughts exactly.
If filling a water bucket with a hose at 8pm causes any disturbance in your neighborhood then you have bigger issues.
My thoughts exactly.
Got to wonder what kind of life OP has, feeling like he is walking on eggshells anytime he is outside the house. What happens when you have to mow the lawn? Ask the neighbours for permission? And heaven forbid you pull out the leaf blower, call for police to stand by?
Originally Posted by atikovi
Got to wonder what kind of life OP has, feeling like he is walking on eggshells anytime he is outside the house. What happens when you have to mow the lawn? Ask the neighbours for permission? And heaven forbid you pull out the leaf blower, call for police to stand by?
This the American Dream, you don't touch your own yard, keep the lights out, eat out every meal,
and live in constant fear of what people might think.
Got to wonder what kind of life OP has, feeling like he is walking on eggshells anytime he is outside the house. What happens when you have to mow the lawn? Ask the neighbours for permission? And heaven forbid you pull out the leaf blower, call for police to stand by?
This the American Dream, you don't touch your own yard, keep the lights out, eat out every meal,
and live in constant fear of what people might think.
Originally Posted by Rmay635703
Originally Posted by atikovi
Got to wonder what kind of life OP has, feeling like he is walking on eggshells anytime he is outside the house. What happens when you have to mow the lawn? Ask the neighbours for permission? And heaven forbid you pull out the leaf blower, call for police to stand by?
This the American Dream, you don't touch your own yard, keep the lights out, eat out every meal,
and live in constant fear of what people might think.
Originally Posted by atikovi
Got to wonder what kind of life OP has, feeling like he is walking on eggshells anytime he is outside the house. What happens when you have to mow the lawn? Ask the neighbours for permission? And heaven forbid you pull out the leaf blower, call for police to stand by?
This the American Dream, you don't touch your own yard, keep the lights out, eat out every meal,
and live in constant fear of what people might think.
Originally Posted by atikovi
Got to wonder what kind of life OP has, feeling like he is walking on eggshells anytime he is outside the house. What happens when you have to mow the lawn? Ask the neighbours for permission? And heaven forbid you pull out the leaf blower, call for police to stand by?
He's attempting to be considerate and align with the societal norms of his neighborhood. And he's asking for advice on how doing something out of the ordinary (washing cars late at night is unusual) will be received.
Got to wonder what kind of life OP has, feeling like he is walking on eggshells anytime he is outside the house. What happens when you have to mow the lawn? Ask the neighbours for permission? And heaven forbid you pull out the leaf blower, call for police to stand by?
He's attempting to be considerate and align with the societal norms of his neighborhood. And he's asking for advice on how doing something out of the ordinary (washing cars late at night is unusual) will be received.
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