# What to decorate my house with that will upset the neighbors just a little? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 9, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222 "2012-09-09T19:19:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/21 "2012-09-09T23:35:05Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > This is Wisconsin, Dude. How is that controversal? 🙂 A big purple Favre jersey then? ---
**Author:** ![bunnymom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c4cdca/32.png) [@bunnymom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bunnymom)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/22 "2012-09-09T23:36:58Z")
A 404 error? Exterior texture file not found. A Facebook ‘Like’ button? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/23 "2012-09-09T23:40:58Z")
**Musicat** –no love for the monkey, then? ---
**Author:** ![pendgwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@pendgwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pendgwen)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/24 "2012-09-09T23:43:39Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > How about something like [this](http://www.flickr.com/photos/printzerostudios/278116756/)? > > Pity that it can only be seen from the freeway. It’s also seen as you drive right past it to the back entrance of the adjacent Mormon church. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/25 "2012-09-10T00:30:07Z")
**Filbert** , that would make me chuckle every day. For a year and a half, I’ve been driving by a trailer with the words Slaughter House sprayed on the side of it. It has given me pause. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/26 "2012-09-10T00:45:43Z")
How about some words in giant letters. “I LIVE NEXT TO _neighbor’s name_!” or “I LOVE _neighbor’s name_” or “_neighbor’s name_ DOES NOT LIVE HERE!” Any of those would probably be quite perplexing and annoying. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/27 "2012-09-10T00:47:18Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > **Filbert** , that would make me chuckle every day. > > For a year and a half, I’ve been driving by a trailer with the words Slaughter House sprayed on the side of it. It has given me pause. Hopefully John Slaughter lives there. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/28 "2012-09-10T00:53:30Z")
I’m trying for a lottery windfall so I can paint my house plaid. It would only be for about 3 months or so, because the siding needs replacing. But what the hey? Why not have a little fun? Paint an outline of a fertility goddess. Paint a rainbow in unexpected colors. Paint one of your favorite humorous quotes. Paint a sturgeon, or an outline of your favorite hobby or sport. Paint your college’s logo. Do a reproduction of a Dali painting. Paint a large version of the Cheshire cat as he begins to disappear. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/29 "2012-09-10T01:18:05Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > \ How about I paint a USA flag? Totally out of character with the neighborhood, but who could complain about such a patriotic symbol? To drive them crazy, how about painting a USA flag, but make it wrong in some subtle but noticeable way? Like, 49 stars instead of 50, or something like that? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/30 "2012-09-10T01:51:50Z")
Chalkboard paint! Draw whatever you fancy, and come the next rain - you get to start again! Famous quotations, irreverent graffiti, maybe a big finger when you’re having a bad day! You could even leave a bucket of sidewalk chalk out for other people to participate, if the were so moved! ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/31 "2012-09-10T02:05:19Z")
There are some good but complex ideas posted. I vote for going simple: polkadots… Multicolored polkadots. ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/32 "2012-09-10T02:06:57Z")
[This.](http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/escher/eye.jpg) Or any other MC Escher. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/33 "2012-09-10T02:09:55Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > There are some good but complex ideas posted. I vote for going simple: polkadots… > > Multicolored polkadots. With footprints, handprints, arrows and a Twister spinner. ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/34 "2012-09-10T02:14:18Z")
Or [this.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e9/Tv_snl_ambiguously_flying.jpg/200px-Tv_snl_ambiguously_flying.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/35 "2012-09-10T02:56:49Z")
Find out which way your neighbors lean politically. Then get either a giant Obama or Romney sign. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/36 "2012-09-10T03:17:11Z")
The facade of a gingerbread house. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/37 "2012-09-10T03:33:14Z")
Sign over the door, “Ed Gein Memorial Chapel” Or, “Beware of Landmines” sign. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/38 "2012-09-10T03:40:20Z")
Just to throw cold water on a great idea… I checked your location, and you’re in Door County. One of the most peaceful, zen places I’ve ever visited. Full of boats and homemade pies. I mean, it’s a peninsula, man. So my vote is: don’t upset the neighbors. (Although, I’d contend that painting Daleks vs Ninja Aardvarks vs Cyborg Space Chimps would be entertaining your neighbors, and elevating everyone’s Zen Quotient) Ooh, ooh! Idea! Paint just the outlines of whatever you decide on, and have the neighbor kids help you “color it in”. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/39 "2012-09-10T03:44:58Z")
How about painting an out of town sports team logo on there. Pretending does not make it true, facts before fiction… ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222/40 "2012-09-10T03:45:26Z")
I’m a big fan of [Dazzle camouflage](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dazzle_camouflage). You can always claim to be hiding from the Germans if anyone mentions the war. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-decorate-my-house-with-that-will-upset-the-neighbors-just-a-little/634222.md?page=3)