I live in a apartment with all outside entrances.
Despite my closest neighbor being here for probably a year at least, if not a bit longer, I don't really know them at all. I've probably seen them a few times here and there but that's it.

Anyway, they have a door mat that says "mischief and mayhem" on it. Even though I'm 99% sure it's not Harry Potter related it was the first thing that popped in my head, mainly revolving around the Marauders Map. Specially the phrase "mischief managed" to clear the map.

As such, I have had it in my head for a while now to get myself a mischief managed door mat. With their door being only a couple feet from mine it seems like it would be kind of a fun thing when people walk by or whatever. BUT because I don't really know them, I have no clue how they might take it .

I wanted to do it like a surprise of sorts, and thinking it would be a fun way to introduce myself , but I also had the thought of just knocking on their door and saying hi first and maybe mentioning the mat before buying it just in case. But that kind feels like it would spoil the fun.

So here I sit without a door mat and not really sure if I actually want to buy it now or not lol. What would you do?

Buy it. It's your entrance. Might even be a convo starter with the nearest neighbors.

Does anybody make a "Go Away" mat?

Time to be cute is later. I am sure you know their schedule. Knock on their door and introduce yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
Does anybody make a "Go Away" mat?

Actually , they do .

Torn between that and "Come Back with a Warrant."

I'm a bit of a hermit...

I think it’d be hilarious, however, that’s me.
You’re right, if you don’t know these folks well enough, I’m not sure that I would do that without introducing myself first to get a sense of their personalities. You don’t need to tell them what you’re planning to do, but you don’t want it to be taken the wrong way either.
Maybe you could arrange to bump into them as they’re coming out/going in?

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
Buy it. It's your entrance. Might even be a convo starter with the nearest neighbors.

This right here.

If they take offense at your doormat, they’re not the kind of people that you want to befriend anyways. If they have a laugh about it, you know your neighbors are cool.

There’s no fucking way I would ask my neighbors for permission about my doormat.

quote:

Originally posted by PakRatJR:

Despite my closest neighbor being here for probably a year at least, if not a bit longer, I don't really know them at all. I've probably seen them a few times here and there but that's it.

Anyway, they have a door mat that says "mischief and mayhem" on it.

As such, I have had it in my head for a while now to get myself a mischief managed door mat.

You've never made it a point to introduce yourself to them for over a year and you want to get a mat that can be taken as an answer to their mat?

I would see that as a passive-aggressive move on your part. You should go introduce yourself and give them a late welcome to the building first. Don't bring up your idea for your welcome mat. Because that would be weird.

Wait another month after meeting them before putting out your mat. When you see them next, then just gesture to your own mat with a smile.

Their mat could be a literary reference (Google it), or they just thought it sounded cool. I had a GO AWAY mat all through college. I agree that your decision should be yours, and your neighbors' mat shouldn't come into play. If you get a chance to chat with them, take it. If not, carry on. Some people just like to keep to themselves. I'm OK with that.

I don't miss apartment living one single bit. If issues like door mats start coming up, they are too close!