Melinda thinks that she is the queen bee of the neighbourhood.

The YTA person up there has some sort of brain worm. I don't give a rat's what "neighborhood tradition" is. I've never had a neighbor in my home and I wouldn't start now. I'm friendly, for the haters. I cut one neighbors grass for years after she'd been sick. I waive and I don't cause trouble or noise. But my house is my house and your house is your house.

If only real estate listings had info about the neighbors. So frustrating. This is why I always keep to myself. There's a super annoying person on my road that I had to nip in the bud the second I moved in. She would just drop by and try to force her way in the house but I kept my arm blocking the door and told her straight up that I'm a reclusive person and I really don't socialize with anyone. Thankfully she got the message, although she has seen my husband mowing the lawn and actually interrupted him to talk to him. She doesn't get social cues at all. No one is ever obligated to host a party. Personally I don't like a lot of people in my house or touching my stuff. Occasionally I have a friend over but that's it.

I would have looked her deeply in the eyes, without blinking the entire time and said "I'll host the party just as soon as my altar to Beelzebub is up. It'll be in my living room, I hope you don't mind..." Okay I prolly wouldn't have the actual huevos to do exactly what I just said but in my head, it's bad@$$

How do I find out if a neighbourhood is one of these weird extrovert party places before I move into it?

Anyone else wondering what Melinda would have done to the food if she hadn't been caught in the act? Was she simply trying to damage the packaging so that it would attract insects and be unsuitable to use, or was she planning on tampering with the food (not just the packaging) when she was caught?

Aside from the fact that tradition is not law ( don't tell me what i must to according to "neighbor hood tradition" of all the stupid made-up things) moving is beyond stressful. You're literally uprooted with all your things in complete disarray and you're typical temporarily out of spending money for a while. You're vulnerable and desiring nothin more than getting settled and finding your routine. I can't imagine a worse time to host a party.

people like Melinda are not told to f off often enough and it shows

tell melinda if she wants a party to have one at her house

Yeah, me and my neighbours are like a family, turns out there’s one member of the family that pisses everyone off, Foxtrot Oscar Melinda…..

And lemme guess, Melinda is also religious and a trad? Sounds like TERF too. I know it's bad to stereotype, but these people are so exhausting...

Dude absolutely NTA. This kind of suburban madness drives me crazy. Makes me miss living on acreage where I never even saw my neighbors. People need to mind their own bidness

If it was actually as important as she made it out to be, it would have said in the contract when he bought the house. It's one think to be polite towards your neighbors and respect other people. (Say hello if you walk past them, not blast loud music at 1am etc). But he's buying a house and moving into that, he's not moving into a community. If that was a thing he should have been able to meet all the neighbors and interview them before moving in to make sure it was the kind of people he wanted to live with

Holy cow i would have extreme anxiety living in this neighborhood. I would never host a party. Never. Ive lived in my house 11 yrs and never once had a party. The utter entitlement from someone attempting to force me to throw a party simply bc they say so can go kick rocks all day. Like, big rocks lol

Do not let Melinda in your house for any reason. She is not sane.

Sounds like this is only a tradition in Melindas mind. This woman is not well.

Seriously 'Mean Girl' vibes from Melinda. Also I'm an introvert and I don't do parties. I barely do family get together but I also have no issues with confrontations so Melinda be in a world of hurt.

Melinda would get her a*s kicked.

I was. Military wife for over 40 years now we are all retired I went to work immediately after moving here and know 2 people on the street to say high too. I don’t know the neighbors don’t have time to go for coffee, and talk all day and fiery military housing I like my peace and quiet

I would have laughed at her the first time she mentioned it and told her " it's not going to happen".

Ha ! Neighbourhood traditions .. BS. IF anything, someone already living in the neighbourhood should invite the new person to their home as a welcome gesture. Imagine the chutzpah of that Karen expecting the new person to host a party by a certain date ! It takes quite a while to unpack, sort everything out and get organised. One place where I lived, had a " Street Party" every year just before Christmas, but I never attended. I wish people would just mind their own friggin' business.

NO ONE should be required to host a party at someone else's demand, or attend a party if they don't want to. parties cost money, and not everyone has enough to do such a thing, and as for attending, introverts are people too. if you like the person, and the party sounds fun, then go, otherwise, there's no shame in not attending. and regardless, sometimes you just don't want people in your house, you know?

To hell with tradition. It's your business if you want to have a party or not.

I've had the same neighbors for 9 years, and I don't know their names. (I don't think they know my name, either.) But we know the names of each other's dogs.

This would be nice if it was the neighbours making a welcome party for the new person

The neighborhood tradition is letting Melinda walk all over everyone's boundaries. There. That's the big secret. I'd honestly ask people how/why they put up with it. Take your stand and set an example. More people will follow when they know they are allowed to stand up to her. And act like it is no big deal to tell her no. Let her lose her mind over it and keep living your best life. Your neighbors will eventually form sense.

I'm from Germany, and we have a similar tradition, but it is slowly being discontinued: When a flat or house is actually finished, you invite your immediate neighbours (NOT ! the whole neighbourhood) for a visit. No, it is not a full-blown party with bbq and whatnot, just a chat over a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. The idea is to introduce yourself, get to know the immediate neighbours, while at the same time not put a strain on the newcomer who just had a lot of cost and work moving. No, it is definitely NOT mandatory. That said, this Melinda woman is crazy.

god this started off as celebrating Calypso's birthday and went straight to some twisted stepford wives bs. fans of OFMD will understand the reference

This doesn’t sound real first of all… but if if it.. I’ve just moved into a new house. We moved countries. 4 weeks ago, and I still have boxes, we don’t have half the furniture we need. I am overwhelmed and anxious from the move. If someone told me I had to throw a party I think I’d faint. Not a chance in hell would that be happening any time soon.