‘My neighbour asked me to stop bathing at night as it’s too loud – I’m gobsmacked’

A woman was shocked when a new neighbour confronted her and requested she stops having baths at night as it’s too noisy – but she’s determined not to change her self-care routine

Arguably, self-care is the best part of a person’s day and is the only time to destress from the day’s worries. A woman – who looks forward to her peaceful evening – was gobsmacked when a neighbour confronted her requesting she stopped bathing so late at night.

Despite having a good relationship with her other neighbours down the street, she was stumped when she was confronted by new homeowners who moved in just “two months ago”. She explained: “I am a lone parent to a four-year-old, so my evenings are important to me. My son goes to bed at about half eight and wakes up at seven every morning.

“By the time I’ve eaten, sorted stuff for nursery, made his packed lunch, cleaned, etc, it is half nine and I like to have a bath. Empty the bath water at around half ten then crawl into bed. This is probably three times a week.

“My neighbour came round today and asked on behalf of his wife that I don’t have a bath so late at night as she can hear the water draining outside at half ten.

“I was gobsmacked. I said pretty calmly that, unfortunately, I can’t change the time I have a bath, as that’s the time that suits me, at which point he asked if I could ‘maybe leave the bath water in the tub until the morning and empty it then’ (which obviously I can’t do because my bathroom would go mouldy).”

Seeking advice, she questioned: “Am I being unreasonable to think that I should be able to have a bath whenever I want?

“For example, I don’t complain when their dog barks at eleven at night or I can hear their TV at two in the morning because some noise is expected.

“I know, this all sounds a bit ridiculous but I actually feel awkward having a bath in the evening now. Never in my life had to worry about when I wash!”

Flocking to the comments, users on Mumsnet were quick to assure that the woman wasn’t being unreasonable despite her concerns.

One person advised: “I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all – ignore them.”

A second penned: “Ignore. What a massive cheek to ask you this! If he asks again, tell him the TV/dog disturbs you regularly but you wouldn’t complain because it’s part of living in close proximity with others.

A third agreed: “That’s ridiculous. I am all for peace and quiet but they are being very OTT. Totally ignore it and definitely don’t adjust your bath routine.

“Otherwise, they will just find something else just as petty to complain about.”

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