At what point does being neighborly turn into being a doormat?
By @niayk · Social
My next-door neighbors are lovely, but they borrow things constantly. It started with sugar, then our lawnmower, then chairs for a party. Now they've asked to borrow my car for a few hours and I just don't know what to say.
The full story
My husband and I (both late 30s) moved into this neighborhood about a year ago. Our next-door neighbors were super welcoming, they have kids the same age as ours, it all seemed perfect. But the borrowing started almost immediately. First it was small stuff - an egg, a cup of flour. Fine. Then it was bigger things, our good ladder, our lawnmower for a whole weekend, our big cooler for a party. Each time, we say yes because... what are you supposed to do? It feels rude to say no. The final straw happened yesterday. They're having another big family bbq this weekend and my neighbor came over to ask if she could BORROW MY CAR for a few hours on Saturday to go to the store and pick up supplies. they said her husband has their other car and hers is 'acting up.' I was so stunned I just said 'oh, let me check with my husband.' My car! What if she gets in an accident? It feels like such a massive overstep. But our kids play together, we have to see them every day. If I say no, it's going to make things incredibly awkward. How do I get out of this without starting a neighborhood feud? I need a script!
How people voted
- OP Is Right — 27% (39 votes)
- Both Messy — 35% (50 votes)
- OP Is Wrong — 37% (53 votes)
Readers are split: “OP Is Wrong” leads with 37% — 142 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@notreallybut — I get the feeling the neighbors have a very different version of this story.
@codymaybe — just say yes this is gonna be so awkward i wanna see what happens
@hadtosay — My old roommate asked to borrow my social security number once for a credit application, so yeah, I get it.
@sashawelp — Don't they have a rideshare or Turo where you live?
@remylately — A good fence makes a good neighbor, simple as that.
Keep reading
- A guest at my small party used Shazam on my playlist.
- The quietest 'thank you' I ever got came from a random online gaming teammate.
- Using a speakerphone for a full conversation in a quiet waiting room should be illegal.
- A 'reply all' on an e-vite just revealed the B-list for my friend's wedding.
- I accidentally RSVP'd 'yes' for my entire family to a child's birthday party we don't know.