Advice on helping neighbor

[ovrszd]

I'm approaching 70 in a few years but still think I'm in decent shape. I still can outwork some of my friends teenagers. I hired a couple teens to help me strip a roof to reshingle five years ago. Every time I turned around they were texting someone or resting drinking a soda. I paid them at the end of the day and told them not to come back a second day and ended up doing it myself.

I always felt bad for the couple in their 90's. Their son (he's around 60 now) with a snowblower who lived next door to them would never do their driveway which is why I started plowing them over 20 yrs. ago. He hasn't changed since his sister is there now. Just plain lazy IMO.

I'm 67.

Your last example is deeper than laziness. It's lack of respect. Big difference.

 

[JerryK]

I do the road in front of my house and some of the neighbors mailboxes when I do mine if they have told me it was OK. But there may be several days that I do not need my drive cleared [ nothing coming via brown truck or mail that won't fit in the mailbox ] and I just walk out and shovel by my own mailbox. I tell folks I will gladly plow them out in an emergency, but do not want to have to do it 24/7 so they can go to work or sumptin'... I have enough to worry about... I like doing it because I want to, not because I have to.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Hey guys need some advice.

Neighbors are elderly (in their 80's). In years past they have had someone plow their drive. I cannot see their drive from mine and feel bad I am just noticing this. We got 5 inches of snow about 2 days ago. They are still not plowed out. Do I just go over and do it or knock on the door? I don't want any $$ for doing it would just do it to help them out. I do not know these folks. Wave at them if I see them out, but have never really talked to them.

Seems to me I should just go do it. It shouldn't take me more than 15 min to do their drive with my tractor I don't think.

Do it, but ask first, let them know no strings attached. I go up and down our main road 1/2 mile either way and plow out people I have never met. It feels good...

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have started my tractor stone cold in a blizzard to help someone. Not sure I would do that again.

Some cutie approached me at the gas station for a boost on Monday. Sorry, but I am not risking my vehicle computers for a perfect stranger. Go buy a battery.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

OP,

I would have already done it.

If we're really talking 15 min of tractor work (just going off of your description), and you can just drive your tractor over there (my assumption), then just "get R done".

I would also check on them after clearing the driveway. Snowed 2 days ago, and no noticeable activity at the house? I'd be knocking at the door to see if they're ok. Maybe one of them fell?

If they're mad about the snow removal, you can always offer to put it back.

Lol.

 

[Sigarms]

Hey guys need some advice.

Neighbors are elderly (in their 80's). In years past they have had someone plow their drive. I cannot see their drive from mine and feel bad I am just noticing this. We got 5 inches of snow about 2 days ago. They are still not plowed out. Do I just go over and do it or knock on the door? I don't want any $$ for doing it would just do it to help them out. I do not know these folks. Wave at them if I see them out, but have never really talked to them.

Seems to me I should just go do it. It shouldn't take me more than 15 min to do their drive with my tractor I don't think.

You should do it IMO, and as mentioned, check to make certain everything is OK. T

To be honest, I'm surprised you don't know them better to have their phone number just to call and check up on them. I've got 5 of my closest neighbors phone number,s and from time to time we all call each other if we see or think something may be amiss. Still remember when my neighbor Eddie called me at night asking me if everything was ok at my house (I was driving home, late night at work) and he explained he heard a loud explosion and he was worried something might of happened at my house. I call my wife kind of in a panic, everything was fine at the home but she heard it to. Turns out Billy was shooting a BUNCH tannerite down he road:laughing: Thankfully, Billy moved...

 

[George2615]

I'm 67.

Your last example is deeper than laziness. It's lack of respect. Big difference.

I don't really know about their family issues, just figured its none of my business so I never asked why he didn't do the driveway.
I'll be 67 this year. There's a whole bunch of us in this age bracket here.

 

[paulfun9]

Just wondering. If your neighbor just bought a new snowmobile, but didn't own a snowblower, would you clear his driveway?

NO!

And I have repeatedly watched him and his children spend the entire day playing with the snowmobile while everyone else was out early to clean up the snow.

 

[Jchonline]

I plowed our road to both neighbors this weekend. I would just do it, you will be repaid with Good Karma!

 

[Fuddy1952]

I don't really know about their family issues, just figured its none of my business so I never asked why he didn't do the driveway.
I'll be 67 this year. There's a whole bunch of us in this age bracket here.

I'll be 67 this year also
The OPs best bet is like others said, drive tractor over leave it idling, knock on door, a simple "hello I'm Tom Smith, I live a few doors down, I'd be happy to plow your driveway no charge...just checking to see if you guys are ok or need anything".

Lots of people watch these (sometimes true) crime TV shows, they may be scared or suspicious.

Just yesterday I get a call from some guy who was in my 92 y.o. Mom's house...said he wondered if it was ok to fix her driveway! I told him I own that property, I'm friends with the county sheriff who I'm now calling from another phone, get the h*** out don't come back! I did call police, I was intuitively correct, the guy was a known scam artist and been arrested numerous times. Thankfully Mom's caregiver was there. The police now are going up her long driveway various times.

But OP... I certainly would check on your neighbor.