How to Deal with Pesty Neighbors

If there is one thing you should never reveal to your neighbors, relatives or friends is that, you are now retired or you are working from home. These explanations will definitely open up the floodgates of pesty neighbors who actually believe you should be at their beck and call all the time, as though you have nothing else to do with your valuable time. This is not to say that you would never help your neighbor in a dire situation. However, when a neighbor continuously rings your doorbell, asking the most mundane questions or requesting that you do a favor for him or her, it is enough to make you want to leave a sign on your door that says, "Please do not disturb! Go away! Leave me alone! Get a life, or find someone else to irritate."

Of course, if you work from home, this is another story. Some individuals actually believe you are not really working but are unemployed or putting on an act. Then you have the kindhearted soul who will give you a backhanded advice and say, "Stop wasting your time; you should get yourself a real job." This is funny, because if you are wasting time why should that person care. It is not their time being misused. Who made them judge and jury when it comes to managing your time.

There are simple procedures that you can set forth for your neighbors, etc. if you do work from home, but trust me, individuals will test or ignore these rules:

Let people know that your time is important, and specify which hours are off limits to doorbell ringing or telephone calling.

Avoid giving neighbors your home phone number if this is the same number you use for business.

If you are in the middle of an important task, do not answer the phone or the door, unless you are expecting someone.

Tell your neighbor, if you do not answer the door, it means that you are not home or you are busy and cannot come to the door.

Of course, if you can come with a way to add a voice message in your doorbell that says, "Sorry or glad, I am not home," that will drive that pain in the butt neighbor mad and may do the trick of never hearing from him or her again. However, do not count on it.