did you know......

ORIGINAL: jaye

well, it isnt exactly my own yard, i live in an apartment, but they have already complained the manager and she explained that as long as it is on a leash i am within my rights to walk a dog anywhere on the grounds. 

i didnt realize it was an apartment situation. i am glad the apartment management have made it clear to them that you are acting totally within your rights. for your sake i hope things get better with the neighbors, but i suspect that it will not. if it is a large apartment complex, could you request to relocate to another apartment (hopefully as far away from these people as possible)?

Perhaps they should move to an apartment building that doesn't allow pets! [sm=smack.gif] Has your manager suggested this to them? Not that they are likely to take anyone's advice, but this is really their problem, not yours. They made a poor decision about where to live and now they must deal with it. You are doing nothing wrong. Just ignore them and continue to report their abuse to your manager. It is up to HIM to deal with this in HIS building. I hope it doesn't escalate into something even more nasty. I'm very sorry you have to put up with this terrible situation. [sm=angry.gif]

Gee. They hate dogs.  They hate Americans.  You have to kind of wonder why they're living here???  I sure wouldn't want to move somewhere where I hated the people and their customs.

Joyce & Max

Jaye, I know it's difficult but I don't think they hate Americans. Otherwise, why would they be here? There has got to be more to this. Are they extremely new here? They have to learn to get along with everyone as much as everyone else has to learn to try not to pigeonhole them. The street goes both ways.

If you can't talk to them, tell your apartment manager that these people are harassing YOU! I'd take the pro-active position of keeping the manager on my side. Maybe he could give you more information as to where these people's heads are at? Otherwise the other folks here are right, you just have to ignore them.

I wouldn't react with anger, shouting, cursewords however. That just won't help anything and could inflame the situation.

actually i was on speaking terms with the woman when i first moved into the building last summer, and her kids played with my kids in our house a couple times, and she told me as much (that they hate americans)  well, her husband does and she has to do and think whatever he says or else he will tell her parents and she will get in trouble.  thats exactly what she told me.  then she started getting in trouble for letting their kids play at my house and for even speaking to me and ever since its been glares. 
 

That's sad ... and kind of scary.

Joyce & Max

ORIGINAL: jaye

...and her kids played with my kids in our house a couple times...then she started getting in trouble for letting their kids play at my house...

I'm confused. I thought you said you lived in an apartment.

What a couple of freaks.  Hate to be rude, but its redicuous.

ORIGINAL: mini_mom

ORIGINAL: jaye

...and her kids played with my kids in our house a couple times...then she started getting in trouble for letting their kids play at my house...

I'm confused. I thought you said you lived in an apartment.

 
yes, sorry, i usually refer to it as "house" just as a general term.  i feel weird saying apartment all the time, its such a long word...

I would simply ask them why they moved here where people consider a dog to be part of the family.
Smile sweetly and suggest that perhaps their would prefer to go back to Iraq where the dog culture is more acceptable to them.
I once had a woman complaining to me about the cost of things up here (she moved up here from Mass.) she complained about high utilities, high property taxes, etc. I looked at her and said "leave, go back to Mass.". Very few words but it shut her up.

ORIGINAL: marynh

I would simply ask them why they moved here where people consider a dog to be part of the family.
Smile sweetly and suggest that perhaps their would prefer to go back to Iraq where the dog culture is more acceptable to them.
I once had a woman complaining to me about the cost of things up here (she moved up here from Mass.) she complained about high utilities, high property taxes, etc. I looked at her and said "leave, go back to Mass.". Very few words but it shut her up.

I would strongly suggest not doing this. I've been an immigrant in the US and the "go back if you don't like it!" attitude is really offensive and unproductive. It certainly won't promote peace between this poster and his neighbour. I would especially not say to someone from Iraq considering ....

and that's exactly my point....it could be much worse than having to live where people enjoy their dogs.
Sweating the small stuff in comparison to what they could be having to endure on a day-to-day basis is worthless.
I don't agree with people letting their cats outside in my area (too much wildlife) but I would never harrass my neighbors about it.

I really don't mean this in an offensive way, but saying that he should have considered American attitudes about dogs before coming to the US or that he should just get over his probable fear of dogs because at least dealing with dogs is better than being invaded, occupied and under constant bombing by the US is so off the mark.   I disagree with the neighbour's behaviour as well - he should be cordial.   But so should this poster and making seriously inflammatory and politically loaded remarks isn't the way of doing that.   Don't take on a debate about nationalism.   It isn't about nationalism.   It's a disagreement about dogs in an apartment complex and for all you know his dislike for dogs could stem from having been bitten in the past and have nothing to do with culture at all.

OP, I would encourage you to enlist your landlord as a mediator and/or write a letter to your neighbour expressing your concerns.   Surely a compromise can be reached.

These are very difficult times my friends. I would imagine that lately the stresses of being an Iraqi family in the United States likely has been great, and quite frankly I can see where it would be difficult to embrace Americans these days.

That certainly does not give them free reign to be nasty to you, but I certainly can feel for the difficulties they are likely facing.

Edit to add: I don't know that its fair to automatically assign a political bend to this thing, but it is possible that many differing cultural influences may play a part in the struggles between the two of you. It would probably behoove EVERYONE in the situation to find some more compassion for each other.

If enlisting moderation by the landlord doesn't help (which I think would be a helpful avenue), can you all just agree to ignore each other? Smile and nod, smile and nod. That's what I used to do when my Mom yelled at me. Smile and nod, and then proceed to just do whatever I wanted to.

They should no way be yelling at you for having a dog that is just wrong. But its true that most muslims just wont tolerate dogs, there are many muslims here in the UK.
 
I often walk Simba in a predominantley muslim area and they will cross the road to get away from him, the children will cower behing there parents etc so its education and religion neither of which you can change.
 
I would suggest ignoring them and kepping yourself to yourself aslong as the manager of you apartement block has no problem then why should they?
 
Good Luck and try keep you cool []