Am I wrong to think this is rude ?

I think.this is quite common to be honest.
It was actually a reason why my daughter ruled out a house when she was buying a terrace last year. She arrived to second view as a conversation was in mid flow.

I think I would go on leaving my door open but maybe have a net over it at least (or a curtain/blind in the winter).

If there's a floodlight outside how does it illuminate you?

One of my other daughters has a big window that people can easily look in. She didn't want blinds/nets so has put sticky film on her window up to about chest height. This means she can look out but it's awkward for people to look in because of the height/angle of the surrounding land.
Maybe that's something you could consider?

Another option is to go out and join in.
Maybe that would work for all of you!

NotSpaghetti

I think.this is quite common to be honest.
It was actually a reason why my daughter ruled out a house when she was buying a terrace last year. She arrived to second view as a conversation was in mid flow.

I think I would go on leaving my door open but maybe have a net over it at least (or a curtain/blind in the winter).

If there's a floodlight outside how does it illuminate you?

One of my other daughters has a big window that people can easily look in. She didn't want blinds/nets so has put sticky film on her window up to about chest height. This means she can look out but it's awkward for people to look in because of the height/angle of the surrounding land.
Maybe that's something you could consider?

Another option is to go out and join in.
Maybe that would work for all of you!

I have to admit I never thought about it before moving in . I think it is something that they started during lockdown possibly.
I do go out and join in quite often but if I have had my evening shower etc I would feel I needed to get fully dressed again.
You are right, I may have to put something up to the glass maybe unfortunately.

Sticky film or a blind sounds good.
I wouldn't worry about being in my dressing gown. Just chat on regardless (if you want to) for a few minutes with a friendly quip....right ladies, I'm going in now, I hope you're winding up soon cos is like some quiet.

Coolgran65

Sticky film or a blind sounds good.
I wouldn't worry about being in my dressing gown. Just chat on regardless (if you want to) for a few minutes with a friendly quip....right ladies, I'm going in now, I hope you're winding up soon cos is like some quiet.

That sounds like a good plan

For a while, I would switch off the security lighting in the evenings and hope as the weather deteriorates they might stop.
Also I might go out there and do some chores and walk between them pointedly. Just enough to make them feel awkward.
Reclaim your space.
Best wishes.
Best of luck.

Oh turn your floodlights off while they are outside and put them on when they go in Surely they won’t want to talk in the dark and cold or wet
It’s a problem because you don’t want to alienate them if it was people you didn’t like I d suggest higher fencing but that would lead to bad feeling which you don’t want if they re nice people

that must be why the house became available.!

I was in exactly the same situation many years ago in our first house.
I would be outside with the children, and they would talk straight across me, not just for a few words, but for whole long conversations, it was as if I wasn’t there.
Yes it’s very rude, but without risking ill feelings, I don’t know what you can do.

I think it's rude too and am surprised that anyone would do this, especially if a conversation takes place when you're in your garden.

Oh dear 😱 you could be talking about our very friendly small close.
Just be grateful you have friendly neighbours.

My DD bought some roller blinds from Ikea. She can see out, but they cannot see in unless you have your lights on.

I would hate it and yes it is rude.

That would really bug me. I do like my privacy.

The “sticky film” is actually much nicer than it sounds. There are many different designs from subtle to elaborate. Look online.

Pop out and join in the chat? You may find you enjoy it; but if not it might put them off doing it!

My DD lives a house that is a little lower than the street. People passing by can look straight in to her kitchen. She bought some privacy film (the frosted glass design) which allows light in.
As for the conversation across your garden, Winter is coming, the clocks go back tonight so perhaps that will stop until Spring.

could you plant something on one side maybe like a bamboo so they have to move further down the garden.. and put a venetian blind on the window.. definitely turn off the light.. and just slip on a simple dress after your shower

You could add trellis to whichever fence is yours and grow something up it. It wouldn’t be a solid barrier but would impede their vision of each other and might put them off.

If it is only half an hour when the weather is ok then it is probably something you will have to get used to, weighed up against the rest of the time when you want to socialise with them it isn’t that bad.

I'm not sure I have the confidence but you could just invite yourself to join in. If they don't want you to, they'll quickly reschedule for one of their houses or alternatively wou might be very welcome.
Personally I DO think it is rude to talk across somebody else's space whether garden or even in a pub or cafe but for the sake of being friends with your neighbours and if you have the "brass neck" -give it a go. Have your shower 45 minutes later.

On our visit (my daughter and I) to the house she nearly bought they were really chatty to each other (and us).
They were friendly and welcoming but it was obvious that they did this a lot.

To get any privacy in the garden you really had to go way beyond them to where the previous owner had put up a shed!

I think you have to find a way yo cope with it unfortunately.

Why does your outside light illuminate you inside though?
I think it could be angled differently which may help?

Putting up a trellis may push them further down a bit but I wouldn't do it without saying something like " I love it here but I do wish I had something pretty climbing up outside the kitchen window - would it interfere with your chatting to X if I did this - would you be happy chatting a bit further down? "

Good luck.
At least they are welcoming and friendly.

I’m reading this thread with interest because at long last the bungalow I’m attached to has finally sold! It needs a lot doing to it so has been on the market for two years!

The fence between us is mine and is low enough to chat over. It was almost new when I inherited it so, with nobody living there, I have left it alone. I’m going to wait until the new owners move in before doing anything.

I’m hoping they will employ a friendly builder to do all the work and I’ll be able to ‘do a deal’ 😉

Well I think it's bad manners, and you are not being unreasonable in finding it intrusive.

However, the age old problem of not falling out with nice neighbours,,,

How about a radio in your kitchen - some loud-ish music (Classic FM?) might drown out their chatter, or even drive them to visit each other instead?

why would you have to get fully dressed after your bath ?
just go around and about as you normally would, perhaps a large towel, with dripping hair.
it's your garden, your house, reclaim your space.
good luck.

merlotgran I think now is the time to raise the fence if you can - even if you only do it near the house.
Once someone moves in it's rather pointed!

Our neighbours put taller panels in when their other next door neighbour put the house up for sale.
I know they are pleased as although the new people are lovely people they do have huge numbers of relatives who are in the garden all summer it seems.