New Neighbours of 2 Months Constantly Make a Spitting Noise. Do I Have The Right to Say Something?

My family and I have been living in the same house for 16 years and have always had great neighbours.
We lived next to an elderly couple that were the sweetest people up til about 2 months ago, when they decided it was time to move into a retirement village.

We now have new neighbours that consist of a family of 5 which include a 3 year old boy.
The 3 year old is constantly screaming and crying, and even when he's in a good mood, he still screams.
Personally my window faces their house, so I hear all of it, but I've just decided to look the other way because I understand, you can't help that kids cry.

Recently however, one of the men in their household have been spitting furiously, either in their garden or on their patio. (Somewhere loud enough for me to hear it VERY clearly)
It's pretty constant, I sometimes hear it at 7 in the morning and sometimes I can still hear it at 11pm at night.

They have recently moved from China, and as I someone who is also from a Chinese background, I understand that spitting is highly acceptable in cities in China and that its a very normal thing for people to do just to clear their throats.

As you can imagine, it's not really the most pleasant sound to hear day in and day out. The sound he makes prior to his spitting is almost the sound of someone borderline vomiting.

I don't want to create any unnecessary conflict with the neighbours, because who knows how long we'll be living next to each other.

Do you think I have a right to go over and just request that they do their spitting…i don't know, inside? Away from windows

Please advise

Comments

  • +2

    If you can't beat them join them

  • +8

    If you cant join them beat them

  • +11

    Yes, by all means, confront them about your issues.

    But make sure you buy this beforehand: https://www.bunnings.com.au/protector-200mm-visor-and-brow-g…

    • +4

      Complete the look with one of these.

      • lol would be interesting considering op is of Chinese background too apparently.

  • +2

    If you speak Chinese you will be able to resolve this in an instant. However, complaining in English will not get you very far.

    I lived in China for a number of years and it wasn't until I was able to speak Mandarin that I could resolve my issues with my neighbours - i.e. spitting and smoking in communal areas.

    My advice - go over with a six pack and invite the guy for a drink. He'll stop doing it, if you ask him - in Chinese.

    If you don't speak Chinese, find a friend who does and get them to explain it to the guy.

    That said, morning spitting is very very common in China… I'm not really sure why they don't do it in the bathroom and insist on the street/garden, though.

    • As a side note, the kid screaming - that wont stop. It's fairly standard to let kids do as they please in China… Until they start school and then they have so much homework they don't have time to do anything else.

  • +9

    Record noises and video if you can

    Remix

    Post to YouTube

    ????

    Profit

    • +3

      ???? = Sell to A Current Affair

  • It’s common for men in cold climate European countries to spit nasal mucus.

  • +1

    If you are truly Chinese, you would know that inviting him over for a beer and having a chat with him (talk about politics, technology, kids, etc. then mention how your wife has mentioned she keeps hearing a spitting sound and would prefer it to stop) would easily solve the problem.

    • +2

      ah sorry my fault for not providing enough context
      I'm 19 (and the only daughter of the family) and living at home with my parents, so inviting them over for a beer might be a bit odd
      My dad is very confrontational and can get agressive quite easily, so I've stopped him from going over and having a go at them a few times.

      I may just got have a chat to them myself. My chinese isn't top-notch, but also I've had family in China who have dealt with rude neighbours where confrontation has only made things worse. (eg. the neighbours just get louder just to spite them for saying something they thought was un reasonable)

      Anyway, thanks for your suggestion- I may consider just going to have a word with them or maybe catching them when theyre taking out their bins or something.

      • Blame your dad, it makes him the bad guy, they are less likely to get angry with you.

  • +1

    No advice but I feel bloody sorry for you!

  • +1

    You have the right to say things.

    You have no right to impose your ideals on someone else.

    • You have no right to impose your ideals on someone else.

      Tell that to a politician or a religious person.

  • Have loud conversations in the same language with your house members (that the neighbour can overhear) about how backward spitting is viewed in western countries. Laugh at them and shame them for being so rural.

    So yes say something but not to them. Other than that there is nothing you can do.

  • +1

    what ever you choose to do. the most important thing to remember is to report back here in detail of how it went down.

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