Would you allow a neighbour to use your shower?

Yes, of course but do live in a quiet small cul-de-sac and everyone very nice.

Not happened but I was having new bathroom in a few years ago and plumber did warn me no loo for the afternoon but of course I wanted to go and tried not to drink that much that day as well! 'Phoned neighbour and asked if OK to use her loo and she said I was welcome. Made do with a flannel wash for two days the shower was out and new one put in so didn't have to wait long.

my neighbour who is also a friend used mine, brought all her own towels and shower/shampoo stuff, 10 mins later she was downstairs having a cuppa, we are in h/a flats, it can take a couple of weeks to fix things, another neighbour who i talk to asked and i said yes and your husband can use it too, just phone me first, brought all there own things and got dressed in my bedroom, it was not a problem and it is nice to be nice.

If they cleaned it thoroughly after them each time, probably ok.

I only have 1 relatively near neighbour and would let her and family use my shower if needed. However if it was me without a shower for a couple of weeks then I would manage without.

My neighbour of almost 40 years could not use her shower for about 5 days due to a leak. Both single mums and had a young child all those years ago. Although not especially close friends I would say over the years we have got to a point where we try and help each other if possible. I can't remember if she asked or if I offered. After a full day of work she would have to attend to her horses so I was happy to let her use my shower. We have had the odd take away together over the years and as a thank you she took me out for a meal. I wouldn't do it for everyone but didn't mind at all in this instance.

We had only been in our house a few months when I saw my next door neighbours were having their bathroom renovated. I saw workmen in and out of their house. I popped around to offer the use of our bathroom but the workmen said 'Oh they aren't here they are on holiday'. When I got to know them better I mentioned it to them and they were thankful for the thought but said they would have been able to go to their daughters house. We got on great after that. I was very sad to see them go when they down sized. The young couple who live next door now are a different kettle of fish. They barely say hello. We are lucky that we have two showers in our house so have always had one to use while work was done on the other.

Many years ago we were having our “up the garden lavatory” no bathroom Victorian terraced cottage up graded we had no facilities except running water for two weeks! All our neighbours were fantastic even helping with laundry ( we had 2 under 2) I am eternally grateful. And yes would help others out.

Without hesitation even if we’ve never been in each other houses, we chat over the fence, and take in parcels etc. But would I ask? No probably not. Having been laid up after ankle surgery for three months unable to shower, a flannel, hot water and a bar of soap was all I could manage. Don’t t think I smelled!

“A shower takes less than half an hour from start to finish.”

As long as it’s a woman showering. A man - all bets are off. The word glacial comes to mind.

We’re all different for sure. No rights and wrongs here, just differences of opinion.

Just bear in mind not everyone has family close by. Many folk can’t access a gym or pool, whether geographically or physically. Different circumstances and personalities make for different outcomes.

Our local service station has showers so I’d just use them tbh and suggest my neighbours do the same

When we had our bath removed and a walk in shower installed, it never even crossed my mind to ask the neighbours.
Strip washes were fine, and we managed.
I don't think that I would like a neighbour to use our shower.

Suggest that to people here, and they'd just about faint clear away with the horror of it, though.

No...have they not got family? As you say a 'flannel wash' each day and good old fashioned jug wash for hair....

It makes "some people" bloody rude, though.
I wonder if they go through life talking to people like this?

Brownowl564

I think the neighbour has a damn cheek asking, and those saying she should allow it are idiots, 2 weeks isn’t that long, they have a basin at least, maybe even a bath so they can make do and grow up

Idiots?

Holding another point of view doesn’t make someone an idiot.

Just thinking "I wonder what people would make of the fact that if I have a friend over at mealtime or staying overnight = I just turn round to them and tell them 'There's the fridge and freezer. There's the larder - help yourself to what you want to eat or drink' and people are well used to checking out what drinks I have in if it's just a question of a drink in between meals' and I leave people to cook up a meal for themselves from what they fancy if it's a meal time.

It's an advance on my previous thing - which was to say to people "Is there anything you can't or won't eat?" and I then avoid feeding them that. Saves thinking "This one is allergic to peppers. That one is vegan" and so on....

Again - it's my idea of adapting to the fact that I've moved from a foodie city/always trying out new places to eat to a place where there are very few places to eat out (but the town is "working its way up" gradually in the direction of being a bit more foodie these days thankfully.....) and so I don't expect visitors to have much choice as to where they can buy/or eat out food....

Its useful to know that you can usually shower in your local leisure centre for a small charge. Or go for a swim and the shower facility is included.

Of course, we can all "survive" without a shower, but it's nice to be nice.

I would definitely let them use it. Our neighbours are all supportive and helpful, we live in a lovely community. I think it's important to help others out.

During the 1987 storm, our power lines came down and we had no electricity for two weeks. I had a husband and two school-age children at home at the time, and H and I both worked. But luckily I had a gas hob that could be also be lit with a match, and a large 1930's saucepan which used to belong to my M.I.L., with good, sturdy handles on it. We boiled water in it. It was enough water to tip in the bath and when some cold water was added it was plently for a shallow bath or a thorough strip wash. So while it was annoying and inconvenient, we coped well, and didn't have to ask any neighbours to help. Having said that - one or two of our all-electric neighbours asked US for help. So we boiled water for those neighbours, and occasionally made pots of tea or coffee for them. The large saucepan of water we boiled for them to wash with, they poured into their own bucket to take home! I scarcely knew these neighbours, but helping them created new friendships and much gratitude from them.

I am much older, and live alone today. I still have a gas hob, and the same saucepan! So I would boil water for a desperate neighbour to take away, I think - and not allow access to my home.

After my heart pacemaker was inserted I couldn't easily shower. In any case our only bathroom was being replaced so no shower for 3 weeks. I used a flannel and soap in a downstairs sink. My neighbour offered his shower but it was during the pandemic and I didn't fancy it. We survived.

Of course they can use my bathroom.
We all need support and care from our neighbours and friends.
What harm could it do .
I'm sure they are going to steal or destroy anything.
Hopefully they'll be clean ,tidy and respectful.
It's not like they're moving in.
You never know, you might get a few free bathroom cleans!
My least favourite job.
If they are mucky, tell them +

I am in the minority here, but I wouldn’t dream of asking a neighbour to use their shower even if I was friends with them. It is easy to have an overall wash, stand in the bath or just by the sink on a towel if no bath. Wash hair using a jug. Some people don’t have a shower, I didn’t have a shower in the house until I went to university. I find the notion of needing a shower in a neighbours’ house, who they don’t even know absolutely ridiculous. We don’t ‘need’ a shower we just need to wash.

Yes of course I would. I might need his/her help another time. It would also be an opportunity to get to know them better.