No one obeyed the rules!

Most people I spoke to were not mixing with even close family, just staying on their own.

I know many who are breaking the rules and ignoring guidance. It's very disappointing and it is our business because it affects all of us.
But what can we do about it really? We have to just trust that enough people are sticking to the rules to make a difference.

My social media feed is FULL of friends with very mixed groups. The only people missing from a Christmas day group with people from at least 5 different households, were the elderly great grandmother and great grandfather. At least THEY had the common sense to shield.

I don’t know what any of our neighbours did - I wasn’t peering out to check on them all day long.

ditto Witzend

As long as you are not then mixing with your neighbours you are keeping yourself safe.

I am in Tier 3 and we were allowed to mix with 2 other households for the day, so I can't see what your problem with with the 3 young couples was they were probably with family.

Stick with the rules and you will be fine x

I'm sure there are lots of people flouting the rules but there is nothing we can do about it. You noticed this because it was in your street, but the same will be going on in all the streets around you. Just let it go or you will worry about something that is out of your control. Just do what you know is right and tell others you are abiding by the rules.

Ditto Witzend and GrannyGravy

For my neighbours and their families their visiting lives haven't been affected throughout and not a mask to be seen.

You can only control your own actions and behaviour 4xGranny; you cannot control what any of your friends and neighbours do, much as it might annoy you. And step away from the windows, for your own peace of mind.

Even with only three families in a "bubble" it can be quite a few people.
It's quite possible that the young man with people "popping in and out" had siblings plus their families visiting - or a bunch of friends who are housemates for example - I'm pretty sure they are treated as a family.

Please don't let this worry you. You are keeping safe. If you are particularly concerned just make sure you stay away as you have been doing.

maybe it's cul-de-sac-itis, a kind of stir crazy.

i think the safest thing is to assume everyone has the virus and can spread it, including oneself.

We also live in a Close (cul-de-sac) but I've no idea what our neighbours did. I did notice one man (wearing shorts and a t shirt!) strolling up and down the Close, clearly talking on a bluetooth ear piece, but apart from our daughter and granddaughter arriving, I didn't see anyone else coming or going.

Maybe 4xGranny was on her own and passed the time looking out of her window. Maybe her seating at home is arranged such that she has a view of the cul-de-sac she lives in. Maybe she just takes an interest in the goings on where she lives. It doesn't matter why she saw what she did. She saw it, and commented on it.

Sadly, there are so many people with the idea that the guidance and rules don't apply to them, and will carry on with their family get togethers regardless. I fear we will see the result of this arrogance in the numbers of cases and hospital admissions over the next few weeks. And of course, each and every one of those people will have family or friends who will be adamant that they were not the cause of the infection being passed on.

You must have been sat by your window watching, I haven’t a clue what anyone in my vicinity did or didn’t do, I do know all my friends were staying within the regulations as did we

This has turned our society into snoopers and blamers very unattractive Dr Seuss would have a field day

I do hate it when people assume that people who look out their window are snoopers! I live alone and sit by my window and people watch, if I didnt I wouldnt see a soul as I am housebound! Yes its frustrating when people ignore the restrictions, just keep yourself safe and let them get on with it.

I agree with Genty that not everyone looking out of a window is a snooper.

Can’t help feeling that all those who self-righteously claim to have no idea what their neighbours are doing would be the first to shout out if said neighbour was found days later prone on the bathroom floor, no kind neighbour having noticed that there had been no sign of them, or that their curtains had not been drawn back etc.

My MIL might have lain dead on her bedroom floor for much longer if vigilant neighbours had not noticed her undrawn blinds and raised the alarm.

My mum and dads tiny bungalow looks out on a green and the road. My parents get lots of entertainment from watching the world go by. This is both wildlife and the neighbours. They are not nosy, just an elderly couple enjoying what the day brings and gives them something to talk about

Many of the rules are contradictory. I am in a bubble with DD. That means she travelled from a Tier 4 to a Tier 2 area, quite legally to spend Christmas with me. She is here for a fortnight. She lives alone and works from home and apart from shopping and, until recently, going swimming alone several times a week is living a solitary and safe life. As I said, this is all legal. That dichotomy has now disappeared as I am now in Tier 4.

I have a single friend living down the road, in identical circumstamces (but without the swimming) I couldn't ask her to join me in my bubble, even if DD was not with me because she is not in my bubble.

It is very difficult to tell who is behaving according to the rules and who has broken them. Look after yourself and leave others to make their own decisions, and be careful about jumping to conclusions.

I’m always looking out of my windows. I thought that was what they were for ?

BlueBelle

You must have been sat by your window watching, I haven’t a clue what anyone in my vicinity did or didn’t do, I do know all my friends were staying within the regulations as did we

This has turned our society into snoopers and blamers very unattractive Dr Seuss would have a field day

I object to the idea that we are snoopers.My house is at the top of the Cul de sac and every car turns at my gate. My seat looks directly out and I can't help seeing what is going on . My bird table is at the window too and I am usually watching that.

Thankfully Bluebell doesn’t live alone, and I assume isn’t
housebound , I look out of my window better that than looking at a wall all day everyday.

Exactly Beechnut.
We are encouraged to look out for our neighbours as there is a neighbourhood watch scheme in our area.
I think it’s a good thing.

I have a ‘nosy’ neighbour who lives opposite. He is the kindest man who would do anything for anyone. I have been grateful many times for his ‘nosiness’ . He keeps an eye on our house when we are away and is always on hand if we need him. Don’t know what we would do without him.

I just heard on TV that when questioned 85% of those asked said that they obeyed the rules.
Everyone in my family and my close friends did.