When I moved in the grass was pretty close to the picture in the meme. I liked it at first but then I realized how expensive it was going to be to upkeep and how bad it is for the local ecosystem. I have successfully undone most of that work literally just by planting clover and not mowing down to the bone.
Or just learn “i am deaf” in sign language. it takes 2 seconds, is very effective. Until you meet someone that knows sign language.