Is It OK To Hide From The Overly Chatty Neighbor? [Block Talk]

Spring brings people out of their houses and into the neighborhood. Some of them want to talk.

And talk.

And talk.

It’s that man who wants to fill you in on everything that’s happened in the neighborhood since he trapped you last fall as you were trying to button up the lawn before the storm rolled in. It’s that woman carrying a clipboard and a bundle of neighborhood beautification signs headed your way. It’s — well, you know the ones. Every neighborhood has them.

It’s OK to duck behind the hedge you’re trimming and hide, right? Or flat-out run to the house while cupping your hand over your mouth, sending a clear signal that dallying over conversion could result in projective vomit?

Most of us aren’t snobs who relish in hurting our neighbors’ feelings. But we’re busy people and have things to get done. How do you kindly discourage the neighbor who stops by and consumes your time with idle chatter and neighborhood gossip?

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About Block Talk

Block Talk is an exclusive Patch series on neighborhood etiquette — and readers provide the answers. If you have a topic you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com with “Block Talk” as the subject line.

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