Not sure if the wife has been over thinking it...

[nisryus]

So we had a new neighbor moved in early last month. Nice quiet Korean couple whom worked at Samsung. They were relocated to Samsung Austin to help with some managerial duties, so I was told.

They were quiet and the husband was actually really nice. But lately my wife has noticed something weird whenever she goes out and work on the yard.

According to her, every time after she has done yard work, be it mowing the lawn, trimmed the shrubs etc, the neighbor's wife would do exactly the same task a few hours later. This has been going on for a few weeks now. Yesterday while the wife was mowing the lawn, the neighbor came out and started doing the same. Usually she never waved or talk to my wife, but this time she stopped, looked at my wife, then posed with a 'boss style stand' - per the wife, you know how boss would stand in front of you, crossed the arms and stare at you.. The wife said she did exactly that with a smile. As if trying to tell her she is doing better.

The wife thinks she is being challenged... the kid said the wife has to assert dominance and show the neighbor who is the boss..

What the hell@!

 

[Kaido]

Sounds like she's trying to learn how to fit in & is looking for approval to fit into the neighborhood. This seems like mirroring behavior that children exhibit when they enter a new group!

 

[Hoober]

Austin, TX? Don't you all just wave and smile and go on about your business?

 

[IronWing]

I think the neighbor is trying to be friendly and introduce herself. Body language doesn't always reach across cultural barriers.

 

[biostud]

Have the sexx0rs in the garden to assert dominance.

 

[skyking]

Have her go out and trim the bush and see what happens.

 

[BoomerD]

Have the sexx0rs in the garden with the neighbor's wife to assert dominance.

 

[mikeymikec]

Sounds like she's trying to learn how to fit in & is looking for approval to fit into the neighborhood. This seems like mirroring behavior that children exhibit when they enter a new group!

Another possibility is that the neighbour's wife has trouble with self-motivation so seeing their neighbour get on with <chore with little self-motivation to get done> is something she uses as impetus.

I would ignore the behaviour until it turns into something that's actually a problem.

 

[lxskllr]

You guys hang out? Maybe the woman wants to hang out with your wife. Is the stance of dominance particular to Korea?

 

[Kaido]

Another possibility is that the neighbour's wife has trouble with self-motivation so seeing their neighbour get on with <chore with little self-motivation to get done> is something she uses as impetus.

I would ignore the behaviour until it turns into something that's actually a problem.

Body doubling, my secret to success!

https://www.reddit.com/r/productivity/comments/s0bn1b/comment/hsb6plq

 

[Greenman]

I'm impressed that it's the wives doing the yard work.

 

[biostud]

Buy a squid game costume to do gardening in.

 

[biostud]

I'm impressed that it's the wives doing the yard work.

Same at our house.

 

[biostud]

Invite them over for a barbecue.

 

[sdifox]

You should just make a batch of kimchi in the backyard to out Korean your neighbours. Blast Arirang for bonus points.

 

[WelshBloke]

Same at our house.

And here. Garden is the wifes territory.

I kinda like it when we get a delivery or a visitor and shes pushing the mower around and I'm just chilling in a chair drinking a cocktail!

 

[GodisanAtheist]

And here. Garden is the wifes territory.

I kinda like it when we get a delivery or a visitor and shes pushing the mower around and I'm just chilling in a chair drinking a cocktail!

-Have her wear a niqab for bonus points.

"You know I tell you hwut this Islam thing really has it's perks!"

 

[biostud]

And here. Garden is the wifes territory.

I kinda like it when we get a delivery or a visitor and shes pushing the mower around and I'm just chilling in a chair drinking a cocktail!

We bought a robot mower when she went back to work after maternity leave

I do most of the hedges though.

 

[lxskllr]

I do most of the hedges though.

Hedges are the worst. I have some boxwoods I need to take care of, but I'm waiting til some trees turn color and drop their leaves, cause I want to run the brash through the chipper, and I need some real wood to move the boxwood through the system. I hate boxwood. Awful bush. They're like grass. It grows, you cut it, and fucking grows again. Just a big mound of ugly green unless you do something with it.

 

[Paperdoc]

I agree with many above. Assume the new neighbour is trying to learn American habits and "fit in". Also that she is "shy" by American standards - many cultures make women assume subservient roles and behaviours. Try friendly overtures like coffee and cookies or simple chats over the fence. Shyness MAY appear to be reluctance or rejection. IF her English is limited that can be a small problem and MAY be a source of embarrassment for her, so patience is in order. MAYBE easier for all four of you to get together (not just wives), like the barbecue idea above.