How about a small curtain for the bottom half of the bathroom window, so that it blocks the line of sight to the loo, but still lets you enjoy the view while brushing teeth?
My tattoos are on my shoulders, and are not often visible. But I love to show them to other people who have tattoos. I like to tell them that I got one when I turned 60 as a 'refusal to grow old gracefully' and the other was an engagement present when I got engaged at 64.
This has happened to us in many cities around the world. I glance in, with a smile, and usually say hi if eyes meet. They are used to it. In a way it is rather endearing.
I have a tattoo on my left forearm that is a image of my father, he passed away in a car accident when I was two years of age so I didn’t know him and this was my way of memorializing him. I absolutely love when someone anyone ask who’s on my arm. I look a lot my dad so I sometimes wonder if they think it’s me an I’m a big Narcissis.😂
Second the sidewalks here:🤦🏻♂️to me it seems the Portuguese have no sense of awareness when it comes to these narrow sidewalks. Walking side by side or stopping to hold a conversation not allow others to go around. On a recent trip to Barcelona I discovered how wide sidewalks there are and how much more friendly they are to pedestrians.
Third on the issue of privacy: for those living on piso 0 and with in fist bump distance from passer by. They must be use to it and have put away all irritations and privacy factors. As far as your particular privacy issue possibly a sheer curtain that can still allow air flow but not such an obvious view from on lookers. 🤷🏻♂️
Ha. I love your posts! I think you are focused more on this than the people who may temporarily be on the patio. Otherwise, maybe a small tension rod + curtain of your choice or a couple of plants of your own in the window.
Yeah curtains are probably the only reasonably viable solution. I wish there was a way to have them only over the bottom portion of the window but given that the panes open inward it's not feasible. Thanks for the suggestion and happy fall!
How about a mesh curtain? Not sure what material exactly but something that lets the air thru? Or my favorite. Those old style windows with a crank like louvers. But I think you rent so probably not an option.
Hmm. I would be extremely uncomfortable, too, about your bathroom situation. I suggest embracing your inner Bohemian style... Maybe some privacy could be attained by camouflaging the opening with a closely spaced row of hanging wooden beads only when you want complete privacy. Have them all pushed to one side most of the time. They wouldn't block your air circulation...
I'm a very private person and don't like passersby to see into my home. I often sit on my lanai (Scott has been there), and I have shades over the windows that allow me to see out, but no one can see in. They can be raised or lowered at will. That or a thin curtain should work. If people in other apartments on your streets leave nothing to your imagination, well, that's their call. I think Europeans are more relaxed about these things than we are in America. They have all those nude beaches. The tats are another story, but we have plenty of those here, too. I suppose the idea there is, if you've got 'em, flaunt 'em!
Tattoos .... I have a thin one round one wrist that looks like a torc bracelet with an eternal buddhist knot. It signifies ' what goes around, comes around' and was my present to me almost 10 years ago when I hit 60. A few strangers have asked about it but not many, I lived in the UK and it could have been considered a bit rude. It never bothered me. And I could wear a bracelet or a watch over it if I wanted but I don't see why i should hide it.
Ha! This was a fantastic post!! First, don't ask for "etiquette" advice from those of us who retired and had things on our manifest list like "always have an ocean view, live in a place where it's warm enough to wear the bearest minimum of anything and NEVER have to close your blinds (unless the temperature gets so high that you need the shade at mid-day)..." So we live on the top floor where no one can see us and we have the view of the bathroom windows and we just don't look. As for tatoos, we lived in California for some years at a surf beach, so the tattoos are art to us. I almost always comment, rather than just looking. In any language, the exclamation "NICE INK!" goes over big and will sometimes get you the back-story. On Madeira, I'm amazed how many of the tatoos are religious or family-oriented - like this is the patron saint of my father's boat, or here's me with my two daughters or here's me with my sisters or this was my mother's prize rose in the 19xx Flower Festival. I find that compliments on the very amazing artistic fingernail art go over big too - although I wonder how these women on grocery store checkout stations or computers can do it! Great post! Thanks!
So wait, do you say NICE INK on Madeira too, or have you translated it to Portuguese? And the fingernail art is an entirely different matter, yes, but definitely along the same lines. Thanks for the comment!
Most DO call it "ink" here and, yes, I say Nice Ink and point and they are invariably grateful. Although it is a LOT cheaper here than it was in southern California, people are still shelling out a pretty penny AND a lot of thought (and prayers?) into the murals on their persons. And some of them are amazing!
Asthe( untatooed) mother of a tattoo artist, I have often been introduced to people who wear my son's art. Every one of them has been delighted when I admire their totoos.
This has emboldened me to walk up to some total strangers and praise their artwork. Every one has been pleased. Or really good actors. Or just they try to be nice to diminutive, gray-haired ladies.
Regarding the bathroom window, I like the idea of a thin curtain that can be opened and closed as needed. As for the narrow streets and views inside, I usually just offer a small smile, then go on about my business.
I ask total strangers about their tattoos and get into some interesting conversations, I do check on men first to be sure there is nothing horrific (flaming skulls) or pornographic about their pictures, those I do not comment on
Great post.... As for the privacy issue. It may take a bit of effort to source them, but in my last home, I had a front door which was mostly glass, and I found traditional curtain panel mounting hardware designed for French doors. Basically, this consisted of a long spring which stretches across the frame to a clip on each side. I have the spring at the top and the bottom of a custom sized panel. The flexibility allowed you to pull back the fabric to look out and it would return nice and tight when you let go. You could to this to the lower half on the interior of each side. It wouldn't mitigate the issue when the window is open, but at least when it is closed, you can control what can be seen.
As for the tattoos... I have a couple and they are visible on my arms. I don't mind people asking about them because I get to share the meaning behind them. I look forward to getting more.
you can hang a thin curtain, in front of the window, that still lets in the light and can let you see out, but from a distance others cannot see in
How about a small curtain for the bottom half of the bathroom window, so that it blocks the line of sight to the loo, but still lets you enjoy the view while brushing teeth?
the view is the bottom half of the window *shrug*
Dang it!
Good one.
My tattoos are on my shoulders, and are not often visible. But I love to show them to other people who have tattoos. I like to tell them that I got one when I turned 60 as a 'refusal to grow old gracefully' and the other was an engagement present when I got engaged at 64.
Great reasons to get tattoos!
This has happened to us in many cities around the world. I glance in, with a smile, and usually say hi if eyes meet. They are used to it. In a way it is rather endearing.
I guess it hadn't occurred to me (I can't speak for my better half) that the people living in these apartments are probably used to it. Interesting.
First the tattoo questions:
I have a tattoo on my left forearm that is a image of my father, he passed away in a car accident when I was two years of age so I didn’t know him and this was my way of memorializing him. I absolutely love when someone anyone ask who’s on my arm. I look a lot my dad so I sometimes wonder if they think it’s me an I’m a big Narcissis.😂
Second the sidewalks here:🤦🏻♂️to me it seems the Portuguese have no sense of awareness when it comes to these narrow sidewalks. Walking side by side or stopping to hold a conversation not allow others to go around. On a recent trip to Barcelona I discovered how wide sidewalks there are and how much more friendly they are to pedestrians.
Third on the issue of privacy: for those living on piso 0 and with in fist bump distance from passer by. They must be use to it and have put away all irritations and privacy factors. As far as your particular privacy issue possibly a sheer curtain that can still allow air flow but not such an obvious view from on lookers. 🤷🏻♂️
Ha. I love your posts! I think you are focused more on this than the people who may temporarily be on the patio. Otherwise, maybe a small tension rod + curtain of your choice or a couple of plants of your own in the window.
Yeah curtains are probably the only reasonably viable solution. I wish there was a way to have them only over the bottom portion of the window but given that the panes open inward it's not feasible. Thanks for the suggestion and happy fall!
How about a mesh curtain? Not sure what material exactly but something that lets the air thru? Or my favorite. Those old style windows with a crank like louvers. But I think you rent so probably not an option.
Hmm. I would be extremely uncomfortable, too, about your bathroom situation. I suggest embracing your inner Bohemian style... Maybe some privacy could be attained by camouflaging the opening with a closely spaced row of hanging wooden beads only when you want complete privacy. Have them all pushed to one side most of the time. They wouldn't block your air circulation...
I've always wanted a beaded curtain ... hmm ...
I'm a very private person and don't like passersby to see into my home. I often sit on my lanai (Scott has been there), and I have shades over the windows that allow me to see out, but no one can see in. They can be raised or lowered at will. That or a thin curtain should work. If people in other apartments on your streets leave nothing to your imagination, well, that's their call. I think Europeans are more relaxed about these things than we are in America. They have all those nude beaches. The tats are another story, but we have plenty of those here, too. I suppose the idea there is, if you've got 'em, flaunt 'em!
Tattoos .... I have a thin one round one wrist that looks like a torc bracelet with an eternal buddhist knot. It signifies ' what goes around, comes around' and was my present to me almost 10 years ago when I hit 60. A few strangers have asked about it but not many, I lived in the UK and it could have been considered a bit rude. It never bothered me. And I could wear a bracelet or a watch over it if I wanted but I don't see why i should hide it.
Sounds beautiful.
Ha! This was a fantastic post!! First, don't ask for "etiquette" advice from those of us who retired and had things on our manifest list like "always have an ocean view, live in a place where it's warm enough to wear the bearest minimum of anything and NEVER have to close your blinds (unless the temperature gets so high that you need the shade at mid-day)..." So we live on the top floor where no one can see us and we have the view of the bathroom windows and we just don't look. As for tatoos, we lived in California for some years at a surf beach, so the tattoos are art to us. I almost always comment, rather than just looking. In any language, the exclamation "NICE INK!" goes over big and will sometimes get you the back-story. On Madeira, I'm amazed how many of the tatoos are religious or family-oriented - like this is the patron saint of my father's boat, or here's me with my two daughters or here's me with my sisters or this was my mother's prize rose in the 19xx Flower Festival. I find that compliments on the very amazing artistic fingernail art go over big too - although I wonder how these women on grocery store checkout stations or computers can do it! Great post! Thanks!
So wait, do you say NICE INK on Madeira too, or have you translated it to Portuguese? And the fingernail art is an entirely different matter, yes, but definitely along the same lines. Thanks for the comment!
Most DO call it "ink" here and, yes, I say Nice Ink and point and they are invariably grateful. Although it is a LOT cheaper here than it was in southern California, people are still shelling out a pretty penny AND a lot of thought (and prayers?) into the murals on their persons. And some of them are amazing!
Asthe( untatooed) mother of a tattoo artist, I have often been introduced to people who wear my son's art. Every one of them has been delighted when I admire their totoos.
This has emboldened me to walk up to some total strangers and praise their artwork. Every one has been pleased. Or really good actors. Or just they try to be nice to diminutive, gray-haired ladies.
Interesting, thank you!
Regarding the bathroom window, I like the idea of a thin curtain that can be opened and closed as needed. As for the narrow streets and views inside, I usually just offer a small smile, then go on about my business.
Thanks, Jen!
You guys crack me up, but I realize these are real issue ;-)
Have you tried growing bamboos in pots for more coverage w/ aesthetics?
Also, is there a screen you can drop down above your sink when you're doing your business?
I"m guessing Europeans are more chill and comfortable about these things so like your hubby says....he won't see them again.
It ain't the hubby who says we won't see them again ... :-D
I ask total strangers about their tattoos and get into some interesting conversations, I do check on men first to be sure there is nothing horrific (flaming skulls) or pornographic about their pictures, those I do not comment on
today, in response to this post, I learned the phrase tramp stamp. wondering if you've heard it before?
Interesting. Thanks. Yet another reason to get up to speed with Portuguese :-D.
Great post.... As for the privacy issue. It may take a bit of effort to source them, but in my last home, I had a front door which was mostly glass, and I found traditional curtain panel mounting hardware designed for French doors. Basically, this consisted of a long spring which stretches across the frame to a clip on each side. I have the spring at the top and the bottom of a custom sized panel. The flexibility allowed you to pull back the fabric to look out and it would return nice and tight when you let go. You could to this to the lower half on the interior of each side. It wouldn't mitigate the issue when the window is open, but at least when it is closed, you can control what can be seen.
As for the tattoos... I have a couple and they are visible on my arms. I don't mind people asking about them because I get to share the meaning behind them. I look forward to getting more.