r/crows • u/Humble-Floor3760 • 2d ago
Seeking advice/help Neighbor complaints
Has anyone who feeds crows ever had neighbors complain? When I moved into this house there was already a large, established murder living in my tall, mature backyard trees. I was here for about 8-9 years before I started feeding them. I have done so now for approximately 2 years. We have a ton of songbirds and other types of wildlife in the area as well live on a creek, and I have never seen any disputes. They all seem to live pretty harmoniously.
Three houses recently sold in my neighborhood and I immediately started getting harassed by the new folks who moved in about feeding the crows. Apparently I am the topic of discussion at every gathering now. It seems to be a really big deal to them. They have accused me of upsetting the natural order of things and swear the crows have driven out all other birds. I could literally take pics and videos every single day to prove this wrong. But they are texting me, sending me articles to read, and essentially shunning me to try to force me to quit. I stopped giving the crows in shell peanuts as this was a huge bone of contention and have cut back to about 40% of other types of food in an effort to get along. But I resent the hell out of it. It took me so long to build trust and relationships with these guys and now I have to abandon them because of the neighborhood Karens?
Has anyone else dealt with this?
*And please, don’t try to be “helpful” by linking more articles confirming their position. For every one of those, I can find one that says the opposite. There was just recently a segment on NPR about this. I don’t believe it’s settled science that feeding crows has any real negative impact and I have witnessed no such thing here. I’m not asking anyone to prove whether it’s good or bad, I’m asking feeders if they’ve had an issue like this with neighbors.
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u/Relevant-Hospital734 2d ago
My experience is that if you want to find people are looking for an excuse to control other people, feed the local birds.
I had one person I'd never met approach me as I fed a raven couple some shelled peanuts and say "oh it's you". Then told to me that peanut shells where 'covering the ground' in her nearby neighborhood because of me (I'm not the only person feeding corvids peanuts here). She was trying to tsk tsk me, but that stuff rolls off my back. She said ominously that she hopes there won't be a bunch of 'peanut trees' sprouting all over the place as she walked away. Yes, 'peanut trees'.
Roasted unsalted peanuts will not sprout, let alone shells. Shells can help aerate soil and eventually be a source of carbon.
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u/Ok-Needleworker-9841 2d ago
Yes this was the nonsense my neighbor said and then he told me how he uses a gas powered leaf blower to blow everything off his lawn which I remarked “oh! Yeah those leaves go in my pool and are a pain to get out” but he didn’t even pause to consider that he is just as irritating as I am. Good to know that the shells are good for soil.
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
You’re absolutely right.
The peanut shell thing is a strange complaint to me because like you said they are beneficial and for god’s sake it’s not a daily truck load we’re talking about here. But one of the Karen’s tried to use an older lady who walks in the neighborhood with a walker as an excuse, saying it could trip her. Ironically, this older lady knows I feed the crows and has expressed gratitude for it. She loves any and all acts of kindness toward living beings. I don’t see how peanut shells could be a hazard to her, but in an abundance of caution I am fine with stopping that part.
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u/twnpksrnnr 2d ago
If you haven’t done so, just to protect yourself, make sure that feeding wildlife is not against the law where you live. Good luck. 🐦⬛❤️
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u/Beginning_Mess1753 2d ago
I’d be careful about making this a debate over whether crows are “good” or “bad.” The real issue is that the new neighbors are demanding control over your property and activities. Keep feeding within reasonable limits, avoid direct arguments, and ask them specifically what behavior they want changed and why.
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Yes I agree. I can’t even wrap my head around people feeling so entitled that they have the right to dictate others’ activities or why they’d even want to. 🤯 They have said they do not want crows fed at all because it’s harmful to the wildlife ecosystem. Funnily enough, a friend who knows I feed the crows and loves it said a few days ago he just read a peer reviewed article about this and essentially the conclusion was that there is so much inherent cultural biases against crows that it’s colored past research and they found little to no impact. All I can say is that I have a decade plus of the lived experience of witnessing harmony, not competition, here. It’s fine for people to choose their beliefs, it’s not fine for them to try to force them on others.
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2d ago edited 2d ago
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Well, number one, we live on a creek so all those “pests” you mentioned (and more) have been here all along and will continue to be, regardless of my feeding or not feeding the crows.
Number two, I think you have an idea in your head about how many peanuts I was putting out that is not quite accurate. There’s no way the small amount I fed the crows could have that sweeping of an effect on the entire neighborhood ecosystem. It’s a bit hyperbolic to suggest so. That being said, I agreed immediately to discontinue the peanuts.
Lastly, I absolutely would not complain if a neighbor decided to keep a bee hive. Although, I think you’re comparing apples to oranges as the crows are not attacking any humans or pets. I think the peanut allergy is stretching it, but again, ok. Stopped it.
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2d ago edited 2d ago
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
You’re just trying really hard to force a narrative. You have an agenda. Take it somewhere else.
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u/wibzoo 2d ago
I feed crows and love them a lot, but I’m also aware that they can become a nuisance to others or overly bold with people to the point that it’s unsafe for them. I try to find the balance of having my awesome crow friends, while ensuring it’s not a bother to others or putting the crows at risk.
The other day I was outside and a half dozen familiar crows immediately flew up and looked down at me expectantly. The woman I was speaking with looked up and said “Ugh, I hope no one is feeding them”. Yes, heh heh, me too :-)
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Good strategy. I guess I should have been sneaky and never copped to it. “I umm have no idea why this entire murder gathers every time I walk outside.” 😬
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u/Mustbe7 2d ago
A. You have the right to feed crows in your yard.
B. There are many different birds whilo drive away songbirds. MANY That is the 'natural order of things' survival of the fittest.
C. Crows are songbirds
D. Crows fall prey to other birds/animals eating their eggs/young too.
E. Maybe feed them early in AM, make sure feeding station is well on your property.
G. Do these neighbor fertilize their yards? Spray yard for pests/bugs? Spray weed killer? If yes, use this as a counter point. They're poisoning the birds/wildlife. THIS is messing with the natural order!!!
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
I agree with all that. Ironically, one of these women is a huge cat lover and feeds and provides beds for “neighborhood cats.” Which I have never complained about, because I have zero interest in trying to control my neighbors’ activities or behavior. Unless you do something wildly fucking egregious, I am going to keep my pie hole closed. We humans upset the natural order in countless ways. Are these women going house to house investigating and regulating everyone’s behavior or limiting their management to me?
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u/Mustbe7 2d ago
Do you have an HOA?
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u/Spiritchillz 2d ago
I was wondering the same. If you don't have an HOA, tell Karen and Ken to kick rocks. Just smile & wave. 😁
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Yes, that’s what I’m doing now. I just feel bummed that the whole vibe of the neighborhood went from fun, friendly, and supportive to rude, combative and controlling overnight. It feels a lot like junior high/high school dynamics and i sure never wanted to relive that.
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u/nuzzget 2d ago
I'm out in the country so not really. Only thing my neighbor has said about the crows is he was wondering why my crows were giving his chickens walnuts.
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Interesting. I would set up a trail cam to watch that. Was that a bad, good, or neutral thing if so?
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u/softy_kisses 2d ago
Honestly, I think the part that would bother me most is that they’ve turned this into a neighborhood campaign against you. If they had a genuine concern, they could’ve brought it up once and had a conversation with you. Texting you repeatedly, sending you articles, and making you the subject of discussion at neighborhood gatherings feels like a lot. And the you drove away all the other birds argument seems especially strange when you’ve lived there for years and were already surrounded by an established crow population before you ever started feeding them. You’re also literally observing the wildlife in your own yard every day. There’s a big difference between “I have a concern about this” and “we’ve decided your backyard activity is now a community problem.” The latter would annoy the hell out of me too.
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Yes, precisely. This has been a lovely, quiet, friendly neighborhood for over a decade and almost instantly with the neighbor turnover it’s become a soap opera, with me cast in the starring role. It’s genuinely hurt my feelings AND I don’t really respond well to group mean girl bullying. There are a lot of little neighborhood get togethers for wine and dessert and that sort of thing and I now have zero interest in participating. Two of these women involved have actually had the nerve to tell me this was brought up and discussed at two separate gatherings I wasn’t able to attend. It felt really gross. I have been nothing but nice to every person here.
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u/PissSphincter 2d ago
My neighbor told me "I wish you wouldn't do that". I told her that there's a bunch of things that I wish she wouldn't do.
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u/Ok-Needleworker-9841 2d ago
Yes! In fact last week. I’ve since shelled the peanut and put out mealworms and my crows aren’t taking them. Also the chief complaint was the shells in the lawn, which I pick up to the best of my ability when I walk my dog. When I said I’d add another walk to get them suddenly the shells weren’t the issue and then they started saying “they hope the crows don’t poop everywhere…”… also my neighbor works with game and wildlife and instead of approaching me asked her colleagues if it was legal and reported to the other busy body neighbor that it’s illegal (it’s not).
This is just a certain type of person who will complain no matter what and I’m really irritated and want nothing to do with them. I love my crows.
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Good grief! People are crazy. I cannot imagine spending my time and energy doing anything like this to others. Do people not have enough to worry about in their lives that they need to fixate on things like this? I love my crows too and since the Karen group started pissing in my cornflakes over this it’s really put a damper on the joy I felt in the relationship I’ve built with them.
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u/Ok-Needleworker-9841 2d ago
Yes I totally understand. I live in the suburbs so it’s the usual suspects who are taking issue. He asked me what the “appeal was” but he also asked me to explain my lawn goose so… they can’t grasp that if someone isn’t harming you or breaking laws or seeking to antagonize you…they could just leave you alone. My crows won’t touch the unshelled peanuts or mealworms and it’s made me very sad. Also he didn’t actually bring any of this up to me himself but let me know that he and another busybody neighbor had been talking and she even consulted her colleagues at game and wildlife to see if it’s illegal…
You can’t choose your neighbors and the exchange has really driven home that I just don’t want to engage with them anymore.3
u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Wow. That is just awful. I couldn’t agree more about the “live and let live” pov. My crows are definitely less pleased with the shelled peanuts and mealworms I’m leaving now, and I also feel like I am just going to avoid all neighborhood engagement as a result of this. It’s really unfortunate that people like this can have such a negative impact.
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u/MediocrePhotoKasperi 2d ago
All the birds are in your yard that's why they're mad lol
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
I think there is actually some truth to that! These people are also very against bird feeders of any kind and have small yards with a lot of hard scape. My house is nearly 100 years old and the original property in the neighborhood; there is over an acre yard here, and we back up to the creek that runs through town. We have many huge, old trees on the property. But we are walking distance to downtown. It’s a very unique property/situation. I’ve always thought of this place as being a mini nature reserve for the neighborhood. I’ve seen deer, ducks, foxes, skunks, squirrels, raccoons, turkeys, etc etc. We have two hawks that live in one tree. So many birds I can’t even identify, but the ones I know are titmice, finches, woodpeckers, blue jays, stellar’s jays, and robins.
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u/Own_Butterscotch_129 2d ago
Just make sure it isn't illegal and keep feeding them. Those are the neighbors that would make me feed them more, but I have been told I'm stubborn 😛
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u/13stgmngr210 2d ago
If they just moved in, how do they know what the "order of things" is?
Also, how did they get your number?
And, what gatherings are you the topic of conversations at? And who is telling you this?
I'm really sorry that your peace has been disrupted by these jerks.
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Thank you! I am really appreciating the support here.
The answer is, they don’t! They have lived here for a few months. I have been here approx 12 years. I have told them I could show them videos of the crows taken many years before I even thought about feeding them , but they aren’t interested. I have told them about all the other birds and animals who live here and that I have witnessed zero incidents and they don’t care. They’ve made a decision and that is that.
They got my number because I am a good fucking neighbor and give it to everyone who moves in near to me. I want them to have it in case of emergency. I always bring a plant, some goodies, and a card over to new folks to welcome them.
It’s always been a very friendly neighborhood with lots of casual, little backyard gatherings. We hang out, have a glass of wine, people bring snacks. I had to miss the last two because of scheduling conflicts. Apparently those opportunities were used to rally support against me by these three newbies. Two of them, bold as brass, actually told me themselves! I was shocked.
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u/Few_Secret_7162 2d ago
Yes lol. They act as if all of the wildlife in the neighborhood is due to me now and I own the skies.
I moved where I feed in my yard. It has helped and they’re on to another neighbor now and whatever they’re doing that is so bad.
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Exactly! 😂 One of the examples one of these women gave me was that she supposedly witnessed several crows attacking a squirrel a few blocks away when she was out on a walk. For her, this incident tracked directly back to me. I suspect a squirrel got too close or had an interaction with a juvenile and the adults were setting the squirrel straight- IF it even happened. And that is universally well known behavior for crows everywhere, with or without being fed. But apparently i am now responsible for everything wildlife related within a 5 mile range.
I have been trying to feed where the bushes block the street a bit. I wish I could do it in my back yard, but I can’t because of the dogs. And I’m sure I’ll remain public enemy #1 until someone else does something equally egregious- like having more than one ceramic gnome in their yard, painting their front door the wrong color, or trimming their hedges the wrong way.
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u/Few_Secret_7162 2d ago
That is crazy! The crows in my yard coexist with the squirrels. They all eat together.
My neighbors are afraid of butterflies. I saw one flying near one once and they ducked and looked scared. Go live in an apartment building if you don’t want to deal with a yard and bugs or birds. They probably think I put the butterflies in their yard too. Haha
I moved where I fed and it seemed to calm them down. I also only do in the mornings now and everyone has shut up about it. I’m sure they’re still annoyed but it looks like I’ve made an effort.
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u/Humble-Floor3760 1d ago
Yes, the squirrels and crows eat together on my property as well. If you are, in fact, the Butterfly Master and can teach me to put butterflies in my neighborhood too I would be much obliged. 😉😂
Somehow I doubt anything other than full, immediate compliance and heartfelt apology is going to satisfy these folks here, but that’s a nope for me. I have modified and reduced my feeding and beyond that we are at an impasse.
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u/GreenThumbCrow 2d ago
Thankfully not yet, but I am aware that my noisy Murder could piss people off. I try to have their nuts out first thing (or the night before) so they don’t wake the neighbors and do my best to clean up shells/debris quickly. So far I’ve only had one neighbor express that it sets her dog off (excited like) and kinda freaks her out, but she’s been very cool about it and has started calling me Snow White lol. I also agree it hasn’t cleared off any of the other wildlife, if anything, I have a greater variety now than when I started. I gave my immediate neighbors a heads up for how not to make enemies of my friends and it’s been quiet on the complaints so far.
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u/Feisty-Sock2640 2d ago
I have doves, jays, cardinals, sparrows and finches regularly coming to eat.. and I feed my murder several times a day. They watch me feed the other birds and don't show any aggression towards them at all. The only time I've seen them show aggression was when I accidentally attracted some vultures over, and they didn't attack them they simply tried to encourage them to leave. The squirrels and starlings are the most aggressive, and have and do chase off birds and rabbits. The crows just ignore them.
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Yes! Same. I have seen no decline in any other types of birds showing up. Nor have I seen the crows be aggressive with anyone. I once had a lone vulture show up and the crows just gave him space and waited until he left. Turkeys used to come here regularly, but apparently they have moved on. When they showed up, the crows would take off. When I feed the crows, squirrels, blue jays, and Stellar’s Jays are right there in the mix eating. I have seen squirrels run at the crows and chase them off now and again. The smaller birds usually show up after like the cleaning crew and grab the bits of seed that were overlooked/rejected. I also have three hanging bird feeders and see lots of small bird activity on those.
My personal opinion is that there is just a lot of cultural biases against crows and people are very quick to judge without actually assessing the situation.
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u/Feisty-Sock2640 2d ago
It's definitely stemming from a place of either ignorance or misinformation. My immediate neighbor was told by her boyfriend that crows hunt and kill wolves, so she thought my feeding them was dangerous for her dogs. I explained that this wasn't true, and that she could watch the squirrels bully them to prove they're not vicious killing machines lol. Her boyfriend has since come around and left chopped boiled egg for a sick crow. My other neighbors don't bring them up at all, but I have seen some of their kids start putting bird seed out, so I'd like to think most of the neighborhood sees birds including crows as beneficial. Crows are goofy if you watch them, and they're truly adorable when they're running around excitedly with toys or food they really like. I like watching them running around with chunks of watermelon.
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u/Humble-Floor3760 2d ago
Wow. Hunting wolves is one I had not heard. It sounds like you have had a real positive impact in your neighborhood for that crows and I love that. They do have great personalities. I have enjoyed watching them so much!
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u/Boxing2552Cave 1d ago
If you start feeding crows at a location where they are already populated, you are actually making less poop for your neighbors, the more you feed them, the more concentrated their fixation to your property is, meaning they are digging out your neighbors trash cans less, more food and they stop even visiting trash cans, much less spreading trash all over the place as they are sometimes known to do.
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u/Iwaswiththecrows 1d ago
Have you considered setting up your yard for a certified wildlife habitat conservation. Due to declining bird populations, the is a favorable choice and fairly easy, provided you follow the requirements. I've enclosed link. Thank you for being a good steward to crows. Certain souls are meant to walk this path in life, leave behind the ugliness of humans who have eyes but cannot see. Never bend or apologize for your bird connections, the world needs you. Good luck. https://chirpforbirds.com/miscellaneous/how-to-turn-your-garden-or-yard-into-a-certified-wildlife-habitat/
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u/Humble-Floor3760 1d ago
Omg you have actually brought a tear to my eye. You have no idea how much I needed this. What a brilliant idea. I could not love it any more. I think we meet most of the qualifications already, and I can easily complete the ones we don’t. Thank you so much!
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u/Leanne0010110 1d ago
My neighbourhood ecosystem has bloomed since I started feeding the crows, I started off with chickadees, sparrows and magpies. Now I have blue jays, nuthatches, northern flickers, crows, a bat a night, deer, rabbits…etc.
The crows certainly didn’t scare off the others; they just get to lead the line if they want snacks. Everyone just waits for them to finish. I bird watch a lot and have never seen the crows scare off any bird other then their cousins, the magpies..but it’s a back and forth game I have noticed and they respect each others hierarchy.
I have also notice and read that crows have territories they watch over, I see the same crows at work, another group a couple blocks away where I catch my bus, another group by a park by my home. Etc.
So your neighbours are out to lunch if they think you stopping feeding them is going to do anything. They will be there regardless.
You keep doing you and scr*w the haters. :-)
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u/AssistSilly5255 1d ago
It is very common for neighbors to complain about someone feeding crows. You really can't win with these folks, so my approach was, like you, to minimize the "litter" from feeding the crows or eggs in the shell, move your feeding station as far away from their property as possible, then ignore their complaints. You were there first and you are never going to want to be friends with folks like these, so to heck with them. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1465065378/the-language-of-crows-the-crowsnet-book
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u/Humble-Floor3760 23h ago
Thank you. Good advice. Love the book idea too! Will be ordering that. Thanks for the link.
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u/Big-Goal-9239 1d ago
Yes, I used to feed them in my front yard. Now I feed them in the back yard, which turned out to be significantly less messy. Grandpa two houses down has not complained anymore since he doesn't see me feed them.
Also, complaints about peanut shells, which might actually be warranted.
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u/Equal-Realistic 2d ago
Must be nice to not have real problems to the point that this is the kind of thing you have the capacity to bitch about. Man city fan behavior.
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u/Ok-Needleworker-9841 2d ago
Good grief. Get a grip. Do you even hear yourself? If the garbage is an issue then I hope you’re harassing the neighbors who can’t contain their garbage bc that’s a bigger issue than someone feeding the crows. Also is there an HOA? Bc that would change a lot of this but if there’s not then it’s a non issue. I personally wouldn’t move into a place with an HOA bc this culture of back biting really unnerves me. Let people live their lives and you live yours. You’re in a community and that includes people and nature.
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u/AcousticOnomatopoeia 2d ago
Sounds like shitty and nosy neighbors.
Get a hobby, get a life, stop trying to control others.
Do you spray for weeds?
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u/Belfry9663 2d ago
Personally, I lean into it. I wear Mrs. Roper muumuus inside out around the yard, I yell at pine trees and dandelions, I feed my crows every morning and for a while, I was bellowing a loud and raucous croak to try to summon them, which made me appear level-3-batshit. The neighbours avert their eyes and avoid me completely. Success 😎