I had my feelings hurt today...

[miss_thenorth]

We moved out here to the country nine months ago. for many reasons,-It had always been a dream of mine to have a hobby farm. We wanted for our kids to grow up in a country atmosphere-raising animals, knowing where their food comes from, develop strong family bonds, and to develop a good work ethic in our kids, among other reasons.

I have made one really good friend here, and several good aquaintances. Alot of our neighbours have stopped by to introduce themselves, so I've met alot of good people who have offered "if you ever need anything-just stop by"

There are two neighbours--near neighbours, who never came over, never waved etc., and our view was--they just like to keep to themselves, that;s fine.

but I recently was just informed that these two neighbours apparently don't like us. I was told that the one wants to kill my dog--for whatever reason -i don''t know b/c my dogs have only got out three times, and that was when we first moved here. the other one apparently has issues with everything we do, with how we keep our horses,chickens, etc. to how my kids spend their free time out here in the country. Apparently she sees it fit to badmouth us all over town, but has never come to us with any concerns etc.

i know I should probably let this roll off my shoulders, but it hurts. And I am offended.

We keep good care of our animals, my kids like to explore the ditches and a bush lot that was former railway land (still owned by CN rail). My son hunts rabbits on our property. We are law abiding, I can't see how we could do anything that could make other people so hateful.

My girlfriend says they are probably jealous, b/c we have a nice house, land and we just put up horse fence around our whole property, (so therefore my gf thinks 'they' think we are loaded, and on top of that i don't work)

If this is the case, and I can't think of why else ppl would feel the need to badmouth us, i am completey offended. We have worked "hard" for everythng that we have, and have never had anything given to us. i am very upset.

i love living out here in the country, but now i know that my two nearest neighbours don't like us, and we have to live next to them.

What should I do?

 

[SpottedCrow]

Because some people just suck...can I saw that here?

We like you and that's all you need to know...

I've been there, still there actually. I get along with the older neighbours, but the ones my age...forget it...if there was a witch burning to be held, I'd be the guest of honour.

I think the people like that just aren't worth the time and effort being offended.

Real friends and good neighbours would talk right to you, not just spread manure around the place.

 

[ChickenToes]

Honestly, I would just ignore it. Let them think whatever they want and just go about your life!

 

[morelcabin]

People who berate others are usually having problems themselves and want to draw attention to others so they can look better, in my experience anyway. I wouldn't worry about it, What is the saying...be nice to your enimies and it is like pouring hot coals on thier heads...
You just keep being you, be nice to everyone and what ever you do don't talk badly about the neighbors just because they speak that way about you. In time it will all work out.
I know it hurts...but rise above it...and keep proving them wrong

 

[cluckychick]

Take yourself over to their home and introduce yourselves with a homemade pie or cake. You could also have a bbq or something and invite your neighbors (including the ones that supposebly like you). Remember you've never actually met these ppl (if I'm reading correctly) your just going by hearsay. Get to know your neighbors and then form your own opinion.

 

[wegotchickens]

Ride it out.
Some people are resistant to change.
Some are bored and talking you down is the best entertainment they have.

Ignore it and just get on with life. Make friends where you can and hope that the others come to see reason.

We moved to the country when I was 13. It took 15 years before we belonged and the land quit being referred to as "The old Hewett place." That's just the way it is sometimes. Some folks took right to us, and brought us stuff from their gardens. Some wished we'd never showed up.

 

[nccountrygirl]

I would go and introduce myself to them. Maybe that is what it will take to see how they feel about you. Some time things get taken out of text and it's not really not how it is. If after meeting them they still act aloof, ignore them, at least you will know you made the effort.

 

[Frizzledhen]

Life is too short to worry about what others think of you. Bake some cookies and take them to these neighbors and introduce yourself. Can't always believe every thing you hear. They may become the best friends you will ever have and if not "OH WELL" their loss. Get on with your happy life and and don't worry so much.

 

[jeaucamom]

I can only imagine how hurtful and dissappointing this situation must be for you. My advice would be to kill them with kindness and address the issues head on. Take a pie to them, introduce yourself, and apologize if your dogs did do something during those three jaunts away from you. Perhaps they are seeing your kids do something that you don't know about. Either way, it will open the lines of communication and make it very hard to badmouth someone who has shown themselves to be so friendly and sweet. I know how hard it is to reach out to someone who has hurt us, so by no means am I saying that this is an easy thing to do. It really should be on their shoulders to welcome you to the area, but I have found it to be much better to be righteous than right.

Good luck to you and keep us posted!

 

[Ailsa]

Jealousy is a horrible thing
Your home and family sound lovely!
Some people just dont like "the new guy" if you get my meaning, I suppose its like beinging the new kid in class
Just stay away and keep to yourselves when it comes to them, it seems like everyone else is fine so in a way its their loss... miserable sods