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.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have a friend who would help anyone, anytime. the man has very little self esteem, always seeking the approval and admiration of others.

Helping someone can be costly or potentially costly. You wouldn't generally write someone you don't know well a check. So what's the difference?

 

[Diggin It]

Two quick thoughts ....

Do you know they're there and didn't go away for a few days?

Do you know they need it done? I rarely clear my driveway after a snow. If I know I don't have to go out for a few days, I just leave it and let it melt.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Same here. Not done it for a week. Waiting til Saturday and better temps.

 

[CHF4]

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.

Sounds like a good dad spending time with his kids. Too many kids are messed up today because their fathers didn’t spend time with them. Granted, I don’t know all the details of this situation..

Just look at prisons, the statistics are high, no father involvement.

That being said, I try to do a little bit of both..fun and work.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have mixed feelings about that. If DAD is around, he is just the doofis anyway. Not even the dog respects him. MOM knows everything best. Just watch the commercials.

 

[LD48750]

I am the last house on a private road.
Neighbors house wasn't there when I moved in.
I plow my drive, the road & both the neighbors drives.
Been doing it for 30 yrs now.
Second set of owners next door & 5th set at the end of the road.
Most have offered to pay at some point but I decline.
Doesn't take but 2 or 3 swipes to do their drives & I am doing mine anyway.
They just know, I do it after it stops snowing and during the day. (now that I am retired)
Plow truck is acting up right now & record cold, I told neighbor I might not do it if I had to use the tractor but I did anyway.

OP.... If ti was me, it would have already been done.
If the complain about the job, just don't do it again.

 

[tjkubota93]

I was out cleaning up dropped tree limbs in my yard after our newer neighbors moved in. I saw they had a big one in the front yard, near the property line. Already had tractor, trailer for hauling and chainsaw running. So I went and cut it into manageable pieces and threw it on the trailer with all mine. That dude gave me a death stare as if to cuss me and say get off his property. I was expecting a friendly wave or to be offered a beer. Screw him. Never helping again if he asks or not.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Maybe you took his firewood. He should have just said "Get Off My Lawn"

 

[ericm979]

I still hold open doors for people, even if it means waiting for them a bit. I hear stories of feminazis that refuse such manners, but I have yet to run into one.

In the city, I found, few will hold open a door anymore. Certainly not younger folk.

I think it's a myth that there are women who object to having a door held for them (if all you're doing is holding the door, not leering or making a pass at them). I do it often for women and men and no one's ever given me a hard time or even a dirty look. Even in the more alternative parts of San Francisco. It's just plain good manners.

It's not snowed enough here to need a tractor in close to 20 years but I mow one of my neighbor's rarely used roads (after asking). They're super nice people, I don't mind at all and with the tractor I can do it in the fraction of the time. I clear trees that are down on the private roads to our little group of houses too.

 

[tjkubota93]

Maybe you took his firewood. He should have just said "Get Off My Lawn"

No fire place. If I recall it was pretty rotten and it was gum. He usually let's things sit for a month, then picks up and puts on the curb.


Appropriate responses:

hey I'm gonna keep that.

Dont worry with that I will take care of it.

Thankyou


Oh well. I have done multiple things to help him out when he asked and rarely get anything even a thankyou in return. Some people are just selfish and or mean.