If you were my neighbor, what would you think of this letter?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Let me begin by saying I tried going in person to introduce myself but the neighbor on the 3rd floor was not home and the on on the 2nd floor came to the door, looked at us through the peephole and didn't open the door. We've been living here for a while, I've seem them and said hi but we never talked.
My baby is jaundice and we're supposed to sit in the sun with him, also for vitD. I don't want to give him supplements just yet. Today we got a shower because one of the neighbors watered their plants while we were sitting in our patio - we're in the first floor. Not big deal for me but for the baby I'm kinda mad. Here is the letter I'm dropping at their door, let me know what you think: "Dear neighbors on #246 and #346, Summer is finally here so I understand we all are spending more time outside in our balconies/patios. We just welcomed a new baby into the family and due to health issues I’m supposed to spend a few hours a day in the sun with her and for that we’re using our patio a lot more often. This morning, as the maintenance staff changed the filters in our unit we stayed outside for baby’s morning sunbath and unfortunately we got a shower of water over our heads. I’d like to ask you to please send us a text message or give us a phone call whenever you plan to water your plants, use water or wash your balconies so we can make sure we’re not in there at that time. I’ve enclosed a fridge magnet with my cell phone number to make it easier for you to locate our number whenever needed. I tried stopping by this morning to introduce myself but seems like I missed you. Please also feel stop by for a glass of cold lemonade, we’re neighbors and would like to offer ourselves to help whenever you need. Best regards, Jen" Would you appreciate the note? |
Anonymous
|
It seems like this would be an issue for anyone who was sitting on their porch when someone watered their plants or washed the deck. I wouldn't "play the baby card" with them. Just get some kind of cover for the porch and move on. Nobody is going to call you to see if it's okay to water their plants every day.
Sorry. |
Anonymous
| I think it's fine, but I'd also include a little something like, "I'd love to meet you in person sometime. Perhaps you'd have time to come by for a cup of coffee or a some wine and cheese after work some night? We look forward to being your neighbor!" or something like that, so you are able to develop a more personal relationship with them (or, at least, demonstrate that you are willing to). |
Anonymous
| It totally depends on who your neighbors are. The one who looked through the peephole and didn't open the door might stop by for some cold lemonade and give it back to you over your head next time. But like I said, it depends on who your neighbors are. |
Anonymous
| 1. I think your request is reasonable, 2. Your letter is friendly, 3. You made it very easy for them to contact you with the magnet |
Anonymous
| I think it's overboard to ask them to call or text whenever they want to water their plants. If water starts dripping or pouring, just go inside and come out later, end of story. Your baby does not need to sunbathe, anyway. I get the jaundice and Vit D thing but out for a few hours is dangerous. |
Anonymous
| The note is fine but seriously you expect people to call you if they water their plants? If this is that big a concern, you should go to the park or "real outside" where you won't get wet. |
Anonymous
| Magnet with your phone number? I think that's annoying/pushy. |
Anonymous
| OP, don't other neighbors have the same issue when they are out of their deck? What makes your issue any different? I'm not asking to be snarky but this doesn't seem like it's a new issue in your building. |
Anonymous
Agree. I think it's a nice letter but rather than asking them to call you, say something along the lines of "could you please be mindful of the people below you who are getting doused with water and try to make sure it's contained?" This would piss me off regardless of baby stuff. And jaundice is very temporary. The summer lasts all summer. You shouldn't have to be worried about this. |
Anonymous
| DD1 was hospitalized for jaundice so I get the need to get baby better but part of multi-family housing is that other families have needs too. I would not want a fridge magnet with your number on it, nor would I call you when I plan to water my plants or balcony. Just being honest but you do not seem like someone who can deal with multi-family housing and the pros and cons that accompany it. |
Anonymous
|
Maybe just ask them to lean over their railing and make sure that you and baby are not out there, before they start watering?
Or, maybe put more of the onus on you, because maybe they have really limited time to water. For example, I know I am usually racing out for work in the morning and barely have time to race out to the deck, dump some water in, and then be gone. If someone asked me to call, no, I woudl not have time for that. But if I could, say let neighbor and baby know, "I am usually watering sometime between 7:00-7:15 a.m.," then, the onus is on them (you) to just plan YOUR outdoor time around THEIRS. |
Anonymous
| Maybe you just have to put baby in a stroller and go for a walk, or something. |
Anonymous
|
Get the fuck out of here. Id continue doing what I was doing.
The hell you want to live your life around my plant watering schedule as if that takes hours to do. |
Anonymous
| I would consider it an overshare and I would think you were high maintenance. I would absolutely not be willing to text or call every time that I watered my plants, but I would switch to watering at night because I wouldn't want to drip water all over you and baby. If you really feel you need to give them this info, keep trying to catch them and ask them politely in person. |