4 ms·

Although I get her point I think she’s antisocial and being a bad neighbor. Especially by insisting to hang it in the front yard. To live peacefully in a socie

Although I get her point I think she’s antisocial and being a bad neighbor. Especially by insisting to hang it in the front yard. To live peacefully in a society you have to compromise and you can’t just do as you please. Communities have certain standards and by-laws that should be respected. If you’re compelled then bring it up at the next town meeting and rally support for your cause. What if someone decides they should park their car on the front lawn since the boat and camper take up the driveway? Or just set a couch up on the front lawn because I like to have a nap there?

kergonath 4y ago
> Although I get her point I think she’s antisocial and being a bad neighbor. Especially by insisting to hang it in the front yard. That’s a very restrictive view of what a good neighbour should be. Those who are offended by the view of drying clothes and insist on dictating other people’s lifestyle are much worse neighbours than she is. > To live peacefully in a society you have to compromise and you can’t just do as you please. Exactly. Like accepting that some people hang their clothes to dry. That’s a step towards keeping a peaceful neighbourhood. > What if someone decides they shiujd park their car on the front lawn since the boat and camper take up the driveway? Or just set a clinch up on the front lawn because I like to have a nap there? Who the fuck cares? Whom would this hurt?
- nemo44x 4y ago
  The town has a standard where you don’t hang laundry though. She’s the odd person out here and should appeal to the people of the town. Otherwise she’s just doing as she pleases and that’s antisocial behavior. As to who it “would hurt” - it could very well hurt everyone’s property values and certainly hurts everyone’s eyes to have to see a car parked on the front lawn. Again, it’s antisocial behavior and inconsiderate of the vast majority of people in the area. It’s selfish.
  - AlexandrB 4y ago
    Land of the free. It's revealing what's considered anti-social (hang drying your clothes) and what's considered normal (driving massive, pedestrian-flattening pickups).
    - nemo44x 4y ago
      > It's revealing what's considered anti-social (hang drying your clothes) Who said hanging your clothing is antisocial? No, hanging your clothing in defiance of a community by-law or guideline is antisocial by virtue of most your neighbors finding it that way. You don't get to decide if you're antisocial or not. Society does.
  - JoeAltmaier 4y ago
    Exactly why I live in the country. No neighbors, who almost by definition exist to constrain my life. By making up laughable things like "hurts everyone's eyes to have to see a car parked on the front lawn".
    - nemo44x 4y ago
      Great, please do stay away from the rest of us. You’re happy being alone and we’re happy to not have to be around you. Everyone wins here.
      - JoeAltmaier 4y ago
        True about the first part. You actually have no idea what it's like being around me. So I have one up on the rest of you there.
        nemo44x 4y ago
        > You actually have no idea what it's like being around me. That's great. I'm grateful we live in a country where people that are compelled to always put themselves first and not have to consider other people can remove themselves from society and choose to live an isolated life away from society. I'm even more grateful for the people that recognize this about themselves and make the move. Living socially involves sacrifices and considering those around you. They do the same and we live harmoniously together. There's some people that can't or won't do this and if they try and live socially they end up frustrated as they are rejected by their community. In some cases it results in violence and in others just miserable people that can't seem to get along with anyone and they have a constant chip on their shoulder. Removing themselves from society and going to the country is the best route here.
        JoeAltmaier 4y ago
        That's not quite it. Those in the country live socially and harmoniously. But without the pressure of breathing at the neighbors armpit, it's far easier. For instance, I contribute to the local volunteer fire department. The annual festival. The fireworks on the 4th. I pull my neighbors out of the ditch when their car slides on snow in the winter. Hell, I snowplow my stretch of gravel with my tractor if the county isn't going to get to it for a couple days and my neighbors need to get to work. Interactions are generally more cooperative, maybe even healthier, without the always-being-in-one-another's-face.
  - viraptor 4y ago
    Oh no, won't anyone think of the property values! I'm a house owner and I want them to crash hard since we're in a socially unsustainable period right now. If a car parked on the lawn makes a considerable difference in the price, I'm happy to watch the bubble burst. Thinking in terms of white picket fences and constantly rising property values is what's selfish.
  - kergonath 4y ago
    > The town has a standard where you don’t hang laundry though. Indeed. And that is oppressive. > Otherwise she’s just doing as she pleases and that’s antisocial behavior. Doing as we please as long as it does not hurt others is the definition of freedom and liberty. > As to who it “would hurt” - it could very well hurt everyone’s property values and certainly hurts everyone’s eyes to have to see a car parked on the front lawn. That is entirely unreasonable, besides the fact that it is completely stupid that drying clothes can decrease property prices. It is not more dirty than anything else you can put on your lawn, and it is not a sign that the house is poorly maintained or anything. Also, if that is your standard, why are political posters and flags acceptable? In which way does a drying shirt “hurt your eyes” (really?) more than a MAGA banner? Does your argument apply to what people wear as well, or is there anything magical about lawns? > Again, it’s antisocial behavior and inconsiderate of the vast majority of people in the area. It’s selfish. Not at all, this should not be any more controversial than the clothes we wear. The selfish ones are those who impose a way of life on others for no good reason.
    - KevinGlass 4y ago
      The OP's attitude is one that can't be logically argued against as it's not a reasonable position. They have no real reason to be against hanging laundry other then "I don't like it" and so will come up with BS reasons to obscure that fact.
      - lotsofpulp 4y ago
        Would lower property prices compared to a similar neighborhood without clothes hanging in the front yard be a real reason?
      - nemo44x 4y ago
        Actually, I don't necessarily mind it. It should be done in the backyard or sides if possible though as it's probably an eyesore to numerous neighbors. But the bigger point is if the community has a standard or by-law that she is just ignoring. Just doing what you want is no way to live in a society as is reflective of the selfish turn we've taken. It's inconsiderate of you neighbors and part of living socially is that a part of "who we are - our true selfs" has to be sacrificed to make ourselves bearable to others. We can't just expect everyone to accept "our truth" or whatever. Otherwise, you're antisocial.
  - gus_massa 4y ago
    > Although there are no formal laws in this southeast Pennsylvania town against drying laundry outside, a town official called Froehlich to ask her to stop drying clothes in the sun. And she received two anonymous notes from neighbors saying they did not want to see her underwear flapping about. If it's so important, just make an official law. Don't allow police or towns official to enforce whatever rule they made up. Is your hair too short/long for your gender prototype? Is the music band in your t-shirt not welcome here? Is your hallowing decoration not 100% lore compliant?
viraptor 4y ago
> Especially by insisting to hang it in the front yard. We don't know if she has a backyard, so it may be just... the yard. > What if someone decides they shiujd park their car on the front lawn since the boat and camper take up the driveway? I don't understand. What then? Why shouldn't they? I'm not sure what a clinch is or why it's not welcome on the front lawn...
- nemo44x 4y ago
  I have to explain why people shouldn’t park their car on their front lawn? Seriously? Aesthetics are a thing and I can’t imagine anyone that lives in my town (or most towns) finding that acceptable. “Clinch” was a typo; corrected to “couch”.
  - viraptor 4y ago
    It's not strange here, even if uncommon and I could not care less what people do in front of their houses. Utility over aesthetics. (also whose aesthetics?)
  - defrost 4y ago
    You might start by explaining why they have to have a lawn. If I was going to park my truck | caravan | boat out the front I'd rather have a well drained raked gravel pan than a lawn growing up through the vehicle, weeds, and dead grass when I drive awy. Aesthetics are a thing after all.
    - nemo44x 4y ago
      You don’t have to have a lawn. I’m sure your town has codified what is appropriate. Where I live some people have u-shaped driveways on the front and they are “to code”. But you’d be making an appropriate place to park a vehicle. The lawn, if you have one, is certainly not appropriate in most towns.
      - defrost 4y ago
        The town limits here codify setbacks from boundaries for building, maximum height for building, bans on buildup of flammable materials (overgrown dead trees | waist high dead garden grasss), storage of toxic waste (tire dumps, etc) .. and that's pretty much it. Nothing on paint colour, lawns (required or not | having vehicles on them | etc), licenced vehicle disposition etc. Most people are house proud, a number of people have very different aesthetic fromn others, some places are clearly butt ugly but that's largely their business. Town only steps in if something is a rat infested hoarders paradise that might catch alight and belch toxic fumes at an second. The super intrusive home owners association is largely not a problem here (but it's creeping in to the chagrin of many). I'm still mystified by your dislike for parking vehicles on lawns, it's not great for the lawn but having neighbours that do this overnight every few days (so they can get spare car from the back, etc) I really cannot see the issue - their lawn is fine and I don't get a queasy feeling looking at it.
HarryHirsch 4y ago
It's strange that Americans have decided that drying clothes on a line is as much an expression of antisocial tendencies as keeping trash in your front yard.
torstenvl 4y ago
Living peacefully in society is fundamentally at odds with the position you're advocating for, which is enforced slavery to a particular technological innovation. People can survive without a couch on their lawn, and there are alternatives to couches on lawns that don't require the use of a particular technology. But people need dry clothes, and the only alternative to air drying is to use a particular kind of machine. It's some Black Mirror shit.
- alehlopeh 4y ago
  Yeah slavery is definitely the best word choice here. And it’s actually enforced slavery, you say? Even worse!
- nemo44x 4y ago
  Yeah people should be able to have bon fires on their front lawn to cook the animal carcass they have hanging in the front yard tree because they shouldn't be enslaved by fridges and stoves. They should be able to bath themselves in the front yard by pouring water from they collected from a nearby creek over themselves because showers are slavery. It's ok for people to tan animal hides in their front yard because the clothing store requires transportation which is just slavery. I'm going to have torches inside and out because light bulbs enslave me. I'm thinking about joining an Amish community because the machines I own have ended up owning me.
  - torstenvl 4y ago
    Actually, yes, in the absence of hurting other people, people should generally be free to do what they like on their own property, even if other people don't like it. And yes, forcing other people to do or not-do what you want, by force of law and without regard for their own agency, is incompatible with freedom.
    - nemo44x 4y ago
      OK I'm going to buy property next door to you and store hundreds of drums of crude oil on it. That's OK? Hmmm, I think there's a thing called "reason" here, as in being "reasonable". no, we live in communities of people. We are not atomic units but rather a part of a community and the community decides what's OK and what isn't. If you can't abide by it then you need to find another community that agrees with you or move to a rural area where you can isolate yourself. In fact, I hope there is a community with no zoning or restrictions on what you can do on your property so people like you feel like you have a place. Maybe it becomes so successful everyone wants to transition to that. Or maybe we've come up with these rules for good reason. Ever consider that?
Thlom 4y ago
You examples sounds reasonable enough? I'm a huge proponent for strict building codes etc, but don't really see the problem with turning your front yard into a parking lot or whatever you'd like as long as it doesn't actually cause harm to the neighbours in the form of stealing sunlight or making lots of noise.
- nemo44x 4y ago
  I’m grateful to not be your neighbor.
  - mcbits 4y ago
    As long as you and your neighbors all had the same understanding (in writing) before buying the property, that's fine. It's not something that should be foisted on people after they own their property, since "you're free to move your whole life and family somewhere that allows parking on the lawn (or hanging laundry, etc) if you don't like my new rule" is rarely practical or reasonable.
mijamo 4y ago
Are those things that are not possible to do in the US? That just seems so absurd. I'd be pissed if I couldn't put a sofa or a car where I want on my own property! Can your neighbors also prevent you from putting your children sculpture or garden gnome in your garden because it's not up to their grand standards?
- nemo44x 4y ago
  In some lower class places or college town neighborhoods I’m sure people wouldn’t care but in most middle and upper middle class places, people take pride in their homes and communities and something like that would be considered outrageous.
  - itstheman 4y ago
    I've noticed that you haven't actually delineated why you think this sort of thing is bad. Could you elaborate please? Not trolling I sincerely want to know
    - nemo44x 4y ago
      Simply put, it's trashy. Putting indoor furniture outdoors is inappropriate as it isn't made for outdoor use. It will grow mold and rot and fall apart and it will become a nest for rodents and attract insect colonies that can spread everywhere. It will smell bad and reflects poorly on those that live nearby. I wouldn't buy a home in an area where I saw something like that. If you were to poll my neighborhood (granted the average home is over $1,000,000) I guarantee everyone would agree. Even where I grew up which was very blue color, you wouldn't see anything like this and you could be certain a neighbor would have a talk with you if you tried. We don't live like that.
  - copenseethe 4y ago
- alistairSH 4y ago
  The US doesn’t have national rules on these things. Being a federal system, the rules are mostly decentralized at the state, county, town, and neighborhood level. Neighborhood are often managed by a Home Owners Association (HOA). So, not codified laws, just a contract/rules you sign when you buy/rent in that area. Outside an HOA (typically older or rural homes), you can often do what you want. Inside an HOA (most suburban development since the 70s), you get rules that span from reasonable to crazy, but as a resident you know the rules up front. Towns can have some of these rules too, but the detailed “don’t do X” that make the news are almost always HOA things. In the primary example in the article, it sounds like there isn’t a rule, just neighbors complaining. The women correctly told them to piss off.
Karellen 4y ago
What if they do? It's their lawn. What if they put a lawn chair on the front lawn, and sat out to read or play on their tablet or whatever, and fell asleep? Is that so bad? Or are lawn chairs somehow better than couches, and that's what makes it OK? (Are they more expensive? Better upholstered? Comfier? If yes to any of the above - where do you buy your lawn chairs?)
- nemo44x 4y ago
  - Karellen 4y ago
    I guess I'm a twit then. Could you please humor me and explain why? If the answer is so obvious and straightforward, it shouldn't be that hard to do, or take very long. If it helps, feel free to use long words. If I struggle with any (being such a twit and all) I promise to look them up, instead of pestering you further for a definition.
KevinGlass 4y ago
If anything, your side is the far my anti-social position. A bunch of busy bodies should not have ANY legal leg to stand on telling people what they can't do just because "it doesn't fit the character of the neighborhood".
- nemo44x 4y ago
  You call them busy bodies but I call them neighbors. You are possibly antisocial?
SaddledBounding 4y ago
The vast majority of people in the Hacker News community clearly take offense to your view. Perhaps you should take a moment to consider your own antisocial behavior and quietly not express your opinion. After all, we need to compromise and can't just say as we please.
- nemo44x 4y ago
  My comment is perfectly within the community guidelines of this site. You’ve unwittingly proven my point - communities have guidelines and by-laws.
  - SaddledBounding 4y ago
    You misunderstand me; I agree with you, which is why I think we should quiet down and not upset the sensibilities of the majority in the community. I understand why you would assume my comment is not in good faith, and I do not hold it against you, but this is not the community to air such concerns, as that violates the community guidelines.
gambiting 4y ago
>>What if someone decides they should park their car on the front lawn since the boat and camper take up the driveway? Or just set a couch up on the front lawn because I like to have a nap there? Wait, isn't America meant to be land of the free? Is it their front lawn, or is it not? I live in a much less "free" country according to any American, and yet neither thing would be a problem. It's your front lawn, want to a park a car there? That's your call. What an incredibly weird argument that is.
- nemo44x 4y ago
  I should be able to build a giant ferris wheel on my front lawn because it's my property after all!
  - gambiting 4y ago
    If you can't see a difference between parking a car vs building a giant ferris wheel on your front lawn, then I'm afraid that's on you. There is a line with what's acceptable - but luckily in most places and in most people's minds it doesn't lie anywhere where you think it does.
    - nemo44x 4y ago
      > There is a line with what's acceptable You get it! And for me and most other people who live in cities or towns, parking a vehicle on your front lawn or other area not designed for and built for parking a vehicle (most people call them "driveways") is crossing that line.
Gordonjcp 4y ago
What if they do? I'm always being told that the US is a free country.

kergonath 4y ago

> Although I get her point I think she’s antisocial and being a bad neighbor. Especially by insisting to hang it in the front yard. That’s a very restrictive view of what a good neighbour should be. Those who are offended by the view of drying clothes and insist on dictating other people’s lifestyle are much worse neighbours than she is. > To live peacefully in a society you have to compromise and you can’t just do as you please. Exactly. Like accepting that some people hang their clothes to dry. That’s a step towards keeping a peaceful neighbourhood. > What if someone decides they shiujd park their car on the front lawn since the boat and camper take up the driveway? Or just set a clinch up on the front lawn because I like to have a nap there? Who the fuck cares? Whom would this hurt?

nemo44x 4y ago
The town has a standard where you don’t hang laundry though. She’s the odd person out here and should appeal to the people of the town. Otherwise she’s just doing as she pleases and that’s antisocial behavior. As to who it “would hurt” - it could very well hurt everyone’s property values and certainly hurts everyone’s eyes to have to see a car parked on the front lawn. Again, it’s antisocial behavior and inconsiderate of the vast majority of people in the area. It’s selfish.
- AlexandrB 4y ago
  Land of the free. It's revealing what's considered anti-social (hang drying your clothes) and what's considered normal (driving massive, pedestrian-flattening pickups).
  - nemo44x 4y ago
    > It's revealing what's considered anti-social (hang drying your clothes) Who said hanging your clothing is antisocial? No, hanging your clothing in defiance of a community by-law or guideline is antisocial by virtue of most your neighbors finding it that way. You don't get to decide if you're antisocial or not. Society does.
- JoeAltmaier 4y ago
  Exactly why I live in the country. No neighbors, who almost by definition exist to constrain my life. By making up laughable things like "hurts everyone's eyes to have to see a car parked on the front lawn".
  - nemo44x 4y ago
    Great, please do stay away from the rest of us. You’re happy being alone and we’re happy to not have to be around you. Everyone wins here.
    - JoeAltmaier 4y ago
      True about the first part. You actually have no idea what it's like being around me. So I have one up on the rest of you there.
      - nemo44x 4y ago
        > You actually have no idea what it's like being around me. That's great. I'm grateful we live in a country where people that are compelled to always put themselves first and not have to consider other people can remove themselves from society and choose to live an isolated life away from society. I'm even more grateful for the people that recognize this about themselves and make the move. Living socially involves sacrifices and considering those around you. They do the same and we live harmoniously together. There's some people that can't or won't do this and if they try and live socially they end up frustrated as they are rejected by their community. In some cases it results in violence and in others just miserable people that can't seem to get along with anyone and they have a constant chip on their shoulder. Removing themselves from society and going to the country is the best route here.
        JoeAltmaier 4y ago
        That's not quite it. Those in the country live socially and harmoniously. But without the pressure of breathing at the neighbors armpit, it's far easier. For instance, I contribute to the local volunteer fire department. The annual festival. The fireworks on the 4th. I pull my neighbors out of the ditch when their car slides on snow in the winter. Hell, I snowplow my stretch of gravel with my tractor if the county isn't going to get to it for a couple days and my neighbors need to get to work. Interactions are generally more cooperative, maybe even healthier, without the always-being-in-one-another's-face.
- viraptor 4y ago
  Oh no, won't anyone think of the property values! I'm a house owner and I want them to crash hard since we're in a socially unsustainable period right now. If a car parked on the lawn makes a considerable difference in the price, I'm happy to watch the bubble burst. Thinking in terms of white picket fences and constantly rising property values is what's selfish.
- kergonath 4y ago
  > The town has a standard where you don’t hang laundry though. Indeed. And that is oppressive. > Otherwise she’s just doing as she pleases and that’s antisocial behavior. Doing as we please as long as it does not hurt others is the definition of freedom and liberty. > As to who it “would hurt” - it could very well hurt everyone’s property values and certainly hurts everyone’s eyes to have to see a car parked on the front lawn. That is entirely unreasonable, besides the fact that it is completely stupid that drying clothes can decrease property prices. It is not more dirty than anything else you can put on your lawn, and it is not a sign that the house is poorly maintained or anything. Also, if that is your standard, why are political posters and flags acceptable? In which way does a drying shirt “hurt your eyes” (really?) more than a MAGA banner? Does your argument apply to what people wear as well, or is there anything magical about lawns? > Again, it’s antisocial behavior and inconsiderate of the vast majority of people in the area. It’s selfish. Not at all, this should not be any more controversial than the clothes we wear. The selfish ones are those who impose a way of life on others for no good reason.
  - KevinGlass 4y ago
    The OP's attitude is one that can't be logically argued against as it's not a reasonable position. They have no real reason to be against hanging laundry other then "I don't like it" and so will come up with BS reasons to obscure that fact.
    - lotsofpulp 4y ago
      Would lower property prices compared to a similar neighborhood without clothes hanging in the front yard be a real reason?
    - nemo44x 4y ago
      Actually, I don't necessarily mind it. It should be done in the backyard or sides if possible though as it's probably an eyesore to numerous neighbors. But the bigger point is if the community has a standard or by-law that she is just ignoring. Just doing what you want is no way to live in a society as is reflective of the selfish turn we've taken. It's inconsiderate of you neighbors and part of living socially is that a part of "who we are - our true selfs" has to be sacrificed to make ourselves bearable to others. We can't just expect everyone to accept "our truth" or whatever. Otherwise, you're antisocial.
- gus_massa 4y ago
  > Although there are no formal laws in this southeast Pennsylvania town against drying laundry outside, a town official called Froehlich to ask her to stop drying clothes in the sun. And she received two anonymous notes from neighbors saying they did not want to see her underwear flapping about. If it's so important, just make an official law. Don't allow police or towns official to enforce whatever rule they made up. Is your hair too short/long for your gender prototype? Is the music band in your t-shirt not welcome here? Is your hallowing decoration not 100% lore compliant?

viraptor 4y ago

> Especially by insisting to hang it in the front yard. We don't know if she has a backyard, so it may be just... the yard. > What if someone decides they shiujd park their car on the front lawn since the boat and camper take up the driveway? I don't understand. What then? Why shouldn't they? I'm not sure what a clinch is or why it's not welcome on the front lawn...

nemo44x 4y ago
I have to explain why people shouldn’t park their car on their front lawn? Seriously? Aesthetics are a thing and I can’t imagine anyone that lives in my town (or most towns) finding that acceptable. “Clinch” was a typo; corrected to “couch”.
- viraptor 4y ago
  It's not strange here, even if uncommon and I could not care less what people do in front of their houses. Utility over aesthetics. (also whose aesthetics?)
- defrost 4y ago
  You might start by explaining why they have to have a lawn. If I was going to park my truck | caravan | boat out the front I'd rather have a well drained raked gravel pan than a lawn growing up through the vehicle, weeds, and dead grass when I drive awy. Aesthetics are a thing after all.
  - nemo44x 4y ago
    You don’t have to have a lawn. I’m sure your town has codified what is appropriate. Where I live some people have u-shaped driveways on the front and they are “to code”. But you’d be making an appropriate place to park a vehicle. The lawn, if you have one, is certainly not appropriate in most towns.
    - defrost 4y ago
      The town limits here codify setbacks from boundaries for building, maximum height for building, bans on buildup of flammable materials (overgrown dead trees | waist high dead garden grasss), storage of toxic waste (tire dumps, etc) .. and that's pretty much it. Nothing on paint colour, lawns (required or not | having vehicles on them | etc), licenced vehicle disposition etc. Most people are house proud, a number of people have very different aesthetic fromn others, some places are clearly butt ugly but that's largely their business. Town only steps in if something is a rat infested hoarders paradise that might catch alight and belch toxic fumes at an second. The super intrusive home owners association is largely not a problem here (but it's creeping in to the chagrin of many). I'm still mystified by your dislike for parking vehicles on lawns, it's not great for the lawn but having neighbours that do this overnight every few days (so they can get spare car from the back, etc) I really cannot see the issue - their lawn is fine and I don't get a queasy feeling looking at it.

HarryHirsch 4y ago

It's strange that Americans have decided that drying clothes on a line is as much an expression of antisocial tendencies as keeping trash in your front yard.

torstenvl 4y ago

Living peacefully in society is fundamentally at odds with the position you're advocating for, which is enforced slavery to a particular technological innovation. People can survive without a couch on their lawn, and there are alternatives to couches on lawns that don't require the use of a particular technology. But people need dry clothes, and the only alternative to air drying is to use a particular kind of machine. It's some Black Mirror shit.

alehlopeh 4y ago
Yeah slavery is definitely the best word choice here. And it’s actually enforced slavery, you say? Even worse!
nemo44x 4y ago
Yeah people should be able to have bon fires on their front lawn to cook the animal carcass they have hanging in the front yard tree because they shouldn't be enslaved by fridges and stoves. They should be able to bath themselves in the front yard by pouring water from they collected from a nearby creek over themselves because showers are slavery. It's ok for people to tan animal hides in their front yard because the clothing store requires transportation which is just slavery. I'm going to have torches inside and out because light bulbs enslave me. I'm thinking about joining an Amish community because the machines I own have ended up owning me.
- torstenvl 4y ago
  Actually, yes, in the absence of hurting other people, people should generally be free to do what they like on their own property, even if other people don't like it. And yes, forcing other people to do or not-do what you want, by force of law and without regard for their own agency, is incompatible with freedom.
  - nemo44x 4y ago
    OK I'm going to buy property next door to you and store hundreds of drums of crude oil on it. That's OK? Hmmm, I think there's a thing called "reason" here, as in being "reasonable". no, we live in communities of people. We are not atomic units but rather a part of a community and the community decides what's OK and what isn't. If you can't abide by it then you need to find another community that agrees with you or move to a rural area where you can isolate yourself. In fact, I hope there is a community with no zoning or restrictions on what you can do on your property so people like you feel like you have a place. Maybe it becomes so successful everyone wants to transition to that. Or maybe we've come up with these rules for good reason. Ever consider that?

Thlom 4y ago

You examples sounds reasonable enough? I'm a huge proponent for strict building codes etc, but don't really see the problem with turning your front yard into a parking lot or whatever you'd like as long as it doesn't actually cause harm to the neighbours in the form of stealing sunlight or making lots of noise.

nemo44x 4y ago
I’m grateful to not be your neighbor.
- mcbits 4y ago
  As long as you and your neighbors all had the same understanding (in writing) before buying the property, that's fine. It's not something that should be foisted on people after they own their property, since "you're free to move your whole life and family somewhere that allows parking on the lawn (or hanging laundry, etc) if you don't like my new rule" is rarely practical or reasonable.

mijamo 4y ago

Are those things that are not possible to do in the US? That just seems so absurd. I'd be pissed if I couldn't put a sofa or a car where I want on my own property! Can your neighbors also prevent you from putting your children sculpture or garden gnome in your garden because it's not up to their grand standards?

nemo44x 4y ago
In some lower class places or college town neighborhoods I’m sure people wouldn’t care but in most middle and upper middle class places, people take pride in their homes and communities and something like that would be considered outrageous.
- itstheman 4y ago
  I've noticed that you haven't actually delineated why you think this sort of thing is bad. Could you elaborate please? Not trolling I sincerely want to know
  - nemo44x 4y ago
    Simply put, it's trashy. Putting indoor furniture outdoors is inappropriate as it isn't made for outdoor use. It will grow mold and rot and fall apart and it will become a nest for rodents and attract insect colonies that can spread everywhere. It will smell bad and reflects poorly on those that live nearby. I wouldn't buy a home in an area where I saw something like that. If you were to poll my neighborhood (granted the average home is over $1,000,000) I guarantee everyone would agree. Even where I grew up which was very blue color, you wouldn't see anything like this and you could be certain a neighbor would have a talk with you if you tried. We don't live like that.
- copenseethe 4y ago
alistairSH 4y ago
The US doesn’t have national rules on these things. Being a federal system, the rules are mostly decentralized at the state, county, town, and neighborhood level. Neighborhood are often managed by a Home Owners Association (HOA). So, not codified laws, just a contract/rules you sign when you buy/rent in that area. Outside an HOA (typically older or rural homes), you can often do what you want. Inside an HOA (most suburban development since the 70s), you get rules that span from reasonable to crazy, but as a resident you know the rules up front. Towns can have some of these rules too, but the detailed “don’t do X” that make the news are almost always HOA things. In the primary example in the article, it sounds like there isn’t a rule, just neighbors complaining. The women correctly told them to piss off.

Karellen 4y ago

What if they do? It's their lawn. What if they put a lawn chair on the front lawn, and sat out to read or play on their tablet or whatever, and fell asleep? Is that so bad? Or are lawn chairs somehow better than couches, and that's what makes it OK? (Are they more expensive? Better upholstered? Comfier? If yes to any of the above - where do you buy your lawn chairs?)

nemo44x 4y ago
- Karellen 4y ago
  I guess I'm a twit then. Could you please humor me and explain why? If the answer is so obvious and straightforward, it shouldn't be that hard to do, or take very long. If it helps, feel free to use long words. If I struggle with any (being such a twit and all) I promise to look them up, instead of pestering you further for a definition.

KevinGlass 4y ago

If anything, your side is the far my anti-social position. A bunch of busy bodies should not have ANY legal leg to stand on telling people what they can't do just because "it doesn't fit the character of the neighborhood".

nemo44x 4y ago
You call them busy bodies but I call them neighbors. You are possibly antisocial?

SaddledBounding 4y ago

The vast majority of people in the Hacker News community clearly take offense to your view. Perhaps you should take a moment to consider your own antisocial behavior and quietly not express your opinion. After all, we need to compromise and can't just say as we please.

nemo44x 4y ago
My comment is perfectly within the community guidelines of this site. You’ve unwittingly proven my point - communities have guidelines and by-laws.
- SaddledBounding 4y ago
  You misunderstand me; I agree with you, which is why I think we should quiet down and not upset the sensibilities of the majority in the community. I understand why you would assume my comment is not in good faith, and I do not hold it against you, but this is not the community to air such concerns, as that violates the community guidelines.

gambiting 4y ago

>>What if someone decides they should park their car on the front lawn since the boat and camper take up the driveway? Or just set a couch up on the front lawn because I like to have a nap there? Wait, isn't America meant to be land of the free? Is it their front lawn, or is it not? I live in a much less "free" country according to any American, and yet neither thing would be a problem. It's your front lawn, want to a park a car there? That's your call. What an incredibly weird argument that is.

nemo44x 4y ago
I should be able to build a giant ferris wheel on my front lawn because it's my property after all!
- gambiting 4y ago
  If you can't see a difference between parking a car vs building a giant ferris wheel on your front lawn, then I'm afraid that's on you. There is a line with what's acceptable - but luckily in most places and in most people's minds it doesn't lie anywhere where you think it does.
  - nemo44x 4y ago
    > There is a line with what's acceptable You get it! And for me and most other people who live in cities or towns, parking a vehicle on your front lawn or other area not designed for and built for parking a vehicle (most people call them "driveways") is crossing that line.

Gordonjcp 4y ago

What if they do? I'm always being told that the US is a free country.