That nagging neighbour!

Jan 23, 2009

It is said that you cannot afford not to get along with your neighbour. But what happens when that neighbour becomes a thorn in the flesh. SUZAN MUYIYI brings you tips on how to let go of them

It is said that you cannot afford not to get along with your neighbour. But what happens when that neighbour becomes a thorn in the flesh. SUZAN MUYIYI brings you tips on how to let go of them

SCENE ONE
Being a kind woman, Dora invited the caretaker and cleaner at the estate where she lives for a cup of tea. It was the world cup season. The women politely asked if they could watch the game. Thinking it was a one-off, Dora agreed.

Two days later, her evening nap was interrupted by a rude firm knock at her door. The two women squeezed past her arms raised across the doorway. Watching soccer was the last thing on her mind. Without a choice, she took the television set to the living room for her ‘guests’.

When her regular uninvited guests, called her office reminding her to come early so that they wouldn’t miss any match, Dora decided it was time to end it.

“You can no longer watch football from my house.”

There was silence at the other end of the phone, but they stopped bothering her.

SCENE TWO
Being new in the neighbourhood, Rita was grateful to Mama Vicko for her hospitality. “She showed me where to buy charcoal and dump rubbish.”

Then Mama Vicko started coming to Rita’s house unannounced and stayed for hours. Initially Rita felt guilty asking her to leave so she endured her presence.

Mama Vicko took it a notch higher and started bringing her children along and made frequent visits asking for salt and tea leaves.

Rita was reduced to hiding in her house. “I mastered her footsteps and would not open the door when she came by,” she says. Mama Vicko did not give up easily and called out several times before she left.

On one of Mama Vicko’s visits, Rita rudely asked whether she did not have other things to do. Mama Vicko said she didn’t. Rita pretended to be going somewhere quickly. When it didn’t work, Rita opted for a serious talk to save her from her misery.

“I need some space, it is not that….,” she tried to explain to her illiterate friend. It worked, she stopped coming but told whoever cared to listen that her friend had abandoned her.

SCENE THREE
Some rowdy teenagers had a field day in a certain bachelor’s house. He let them play video games using his television most of the day. They usually made impromptu visits. Then he married a no nonsense woman.

She in no uncertain terms told the teenagers, they were no longer welcome. They hated her but hubby managed to keep the teenagers away.

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