How do you politely stop a recurring favor?
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Anonymous
| A few months ago, a relative who lives in my city asked me to drop-in to visit her dog for an hour, she paid me $10. Then she asked a few weeks later, again, then added a few days of cat-sitting. Now, this week she’s asked for two days and the last time she didn’t pay. I don’t have an extra hour in the middle of the day to visit her dog every week, and I’m frustrated that what was a one-time ask turned into a regular job I didn’t seek out. How do I politely return to helping out once a year? |
Anonymous
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this week is bad
No, i'm sorry i can't i'm busy Wish i could but i'm busy I've got plans Alternately find a dog sitter and at the end say but my friends use "dog sitter X" you could try them. |
Anonymous
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Just tell her you can't do it. Do not give a reason.
Chances are, she will ice you out, at least in the near future. But ask yourself which you'd prefer: her being mad at you for standing for yourself, or you seething inside every time you go over to do this "favor." |
Anonymous
| "Hey Abby, just wanted to let you know I've gotten really busy in the last couple weeks and things will be hectic going forward, so you may want to make alternate arrangements for Fido and Scratchers. See you at the July 4th Family BBQ!" |
Anonymous
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“Can you stop by and see Rex on Thursday and Friday?”
“No, I can’t. Work has picked up so I’m not going to be available anymore to do this.” |
Anonymous
| “No, I can’t. Sorry and good luck finding a pet sitter!” |
Anonymous
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Sorry, I am not available to petsit for you on a regular basis.
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Anonymous
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Don’t lie or make it situational.
Why do grown adults have such a hard time just expressing the truth??!! |
Anonymous
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^ this
grow up and speak your words |
Anonymous
This. Keep it short and sweet. And it’s not up to you to solve her problem, so don’t get sucked in. “Oh, I’m really stuck this week!” Lots of people just get a regular dog walker or whatever. $10 for an hour of your time is an insult. She gets to feel like she paid you but did not actually pay you the value of the service. Just say, “Sorry, I won’t be able to do any pet visiting or pet sitting.” |
Anonymous
Bc so many other grown adults can not hear people tell them no. |
Anonymous
| Give her links to pet sitting services and say she should look into them as you're not going to be available. |
Anonymous
Some grown adults are simple and think that setting healthy boundaries or saying they can't do someone a favor is "mean". |
Anonymous
| Sorry, Larla. I love Chewbacca but I'm not as flexible with work/the kids/school/pilates as I was back in June. My neighbor has had luck with X service or X person. LMK if you want their contact info. Give Chewbacca a kiss for me! |
Anonymous
| I think you are being rude. This person is family |