A well-meaning neighbour has sparked a debate after admitting they were worried a friendly note they left for the couple downstairs came across as ‘passive aggressive’ – or even ‘creepy.’

The tenant said she wanted to congratulate her neighbours, who had just brought home a newborn, but was now second-guessing how it was received.

‘I thought it would be nice to leave a note,’ the woman wrote on Reddit.

‘But since we left it we haven’t heard anything back and they kind of stare at us if we cross paths. It’s made me feel like this could’ve been received poorly.’

The neighbour also included a photo of the handwritten message.

‘My husband and I noticed you recently came home with your new little one and wanted to extend (our) congratulations to you both.

‘As your upstairs neighbours, we know sound can travel more than we’d like. While we’ll do our best to keep things quiet for you, we can’t promise the same for our cats (sorry for their zoomies!).

‘If there’s anything you find yourselves needing – whether it’s an extra egg or just an extra hand – please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to help!’

While the note was meant to be thoughtful, the poster later realised that it might have come across as a complaint disguised as kindness.

‘I have super noisy upstairs neighbours, so I know how easily sound travels,’ she explained.

‘I just wanted to assure them that we’d be mindful of noise for their baby. It came from a good place.’

But not everyone saw it that way.

‘If you’ve never introduced yourselves before leaving this… yes, it would weird me out. I’d assume you’re really telling me to keep the baby quiet,’ one commenter wrote.

‘It’s creepy from a stranger. Too much effort. A simple ‘congrats’ would’ve been kind, but offering to help when you don’t know them is odd. Also the cat comment is cringe,’ another said.

Others, however, jumped to the neighbour’s defence.

‘I’d be forever grateful as a new parent if I got a note like this,’ one mum replied.

‘Thank you on behalf of your neighbour, who is probably really overwhelmed!’

Another Redditor said the gesture was lovely – just a bit misunderstood.

‘People are more insulated these days. I think it’s nice, but some might just prefer to keep to themselves.’

Several users suggested the best fix was to introduce themselves in person next time.

‘Do they know for sure that the person who waves and smiles is the same person who left the note? Say hello next time you see them so they can put a face to the note,’ one wrote.

While online opinion was divided, many agreed that modern neighbourly etiquette can be a minefield – with even a well-intentioned note capable of being misread.

‘This comes off as very friendly and polite. But people are so used to keeping to themselves that anything more feels suspicious. It’s sad really – because that’s exactly the kind of neighbour everyone used to want,’ one summed it up.

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I left my neighbour a ‘nice’ note after she had a baby – now she won’t talk to me. Did I come across as creepy?