A family’s handwritten note to their neighbors about a cooking issue has sparked debate.
Sarah, a wife and mother living in Burns Beach — a suburb in northern Australia — took it upon herself to write a handwritten letter to her neighbor. Her concern? The “upsetting” smell of cooked meat drifting from their window.
In her message, she asked the family next door to take what she described as an “important message” seriously. What followed was a request that some found a little unusual.
The note starts with the line: “Hello, Neighbour. Could you please shut your side window when cooking, please?”
“My family are vegan (we eat only plant-based foods) and the smell of the meat you cook makes us feel sick and upset,” it continues. “We would appreciate your understanding. Thanks. Sarah, Wayne & Kids.”
According to the Daily Mail, the letter made its way to social media after being posted on the Hey Perth Facebook page.
Online, opinions quickly clashed. Many people disagreed with the vegan family’s request and felt their tone came across as “entitled”.
One commenter joked: “I would fire up the smoker and do a 12-hour brisket, with a sausage sizzle for lunch thrown in. Entitled much.”
Someone else chimed in and wrote: “They should go live in the bush. Everyone cooks and some smells I can’t stand but that is outrageous.”
A third person shared their thoughts too: “As a resident of Burns Beach, I quite enjoy the smells of peoples dinner while taking the dog for a walk & guessing if people are having roasts, bbq’s, curries etc…I’d do a spit roast in the backyard & invite Wayne & Sarah over for a beer.”
Still, not everyone saw the request as a problem. One user actually supported it, saying: “Why all the nasty comments? I’m a meat eater, but she was polite and respectful in her request and it’s not hard to close a window. Why not just be a considerate neighbor and close the window, rather than turning it into a big issue?”
Another person was more frustrated with the wave of “hate talk” that popped up online whenever someone dared to have a different perspective.
“This hate talk back and forward is embarrassing. Everyone has different points of view, different ways to live,” he wrote. “I enjoy meat but I see the way this post is socially shaming and creating more riff and I’m disappointed that this is how we are choosing to raise our children and showing them how to behave.”
“I’m sure a compromise could be agreed on. Isn’t it better to get along with the people in your community and support each other then to create hate?” they added.
So what do you think? Was the family’s letter a fair and polite request, or was it over the line?
