My neighbor has officially 'borrowed' her way onto my last nerve.
By @xenayy · Petty or Nah
It started with small things, like a few eggs or a cup of flour. Now she's borrowing my expensive blender for her 'smoothie kick' and my husband's power washer, and I'm starting to feel like a free rental service.
The full story
When she first moved in a year ago, she seemed great. Super friendly, always waving when we were getting the kids out of the car. The 'borrowing' started small. A cup of sugar here, a stick of butter there. Annoying, but whatever, that's what neighbors do in a pinch, right? But the 'pinches' started becoming her daily routine. Then it escalated from food to hardware. First it was my good kitchen shears (which came back sticky). Then my big serving platter for a party she was hosting (which I had to practically chase her down for a week later because I needed it for my own book club). A few months ago, it was my KitchenAid mixer. "I just want to try a recipe before I decide if I want to buy one!" she said. She had it for three weeks. My husband thinks I'm being a pushover and that I should have put my foot down ages ago. He's probably right. The current problem is his power washer. they asked for it two weekends ago for a "quick little project." We haven't seen it since. My husband wants to do our back patio and keeps asking where it is, and I keep having to make excuses for her. I'm not a confrontational person. I just hate that awkwardness with someone you have to see every single day. But last night I saw her post on Instagram about her 'new morning routine' featuring a smoothie made in what is unmistakably MY Vitamix. She didn't even buy her own, she's just... using mine now, I guess? I feel like I'm losing my mind. This has gone way too far, hasn't it?
How people voted
- On their side — 34% (35 votes)
- Both sides — 39% (41 votes)
- Other side — 27% (28 votes)
Readers are split: “Both sides” leads with 39% — 104 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@miloactually — It's not borrowing if you never intended to give it back.
@finnkk — Oh dear, you have the patience of a saint. It's not being mean to ask for your own things back!
@elliemm — I'd send her an itemized bill. 'Vitamix rental: $50/day.'
@niakinda — Soft.
@gabesorta — wait til she asks for your car keys lol
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