New neighbors insisted on using my snowblower

[Anonymous]

Spent 2-3 hours last night clearing off my sidewalks, driveway, and curb next to mailbox with our snowblower (2-stage Ariens). Probably about 2000 sqft total. Greater DMV area.

This morning our relatively new neighbors (4 months) knocked on our door and asked if they could borrow our snowblower to clear out their driveway. All other neighbors are either shoveling or have their own equipment. We say that we’d rather not: liability, not sure they even know how to use one, etc…. We then have an awkward back and forth until they finally roll their eyes, mutter something under their breaths, and walk off. They finally ended up flagging down one of the small plows clearing the road and I guess they convinced or paid the driver to clear out their driveway.

Totally blown away by this situation!!

Our neighbors are young, probably late 20s or early 30s. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Is this the new normal for younger generations?!?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why you leapt from an N of 1 to a whole generation, but you do you.

[Anonymous]

They might have grown up somewhere more neighborly.

It would have been nice if you helped them. Although obviously you didn't owe them anything.

[Anonymous]

Our neighborhood helps each other and we are not the "new generation".

Actually I think it's old school to help each other.

We helped build each other's decks, we help with kids, carpools, mower, power washers, ladders, etc.

It's odd you guys don't function as neighbors. You are strangers who live near each other.

[Anonymous]

Maybe they are from a place where neighbors take care of each other.

They shouldn't have been rude when you said no, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spent 2-3 hours last night clearing off my sidewalks, driveway, and curb next to mailbox with our snowblower (2-stage Ariens). Probably about 2000 sqft total. Greater DMV area.

This morning our relatively new neighbors (4 months) knocked on our door and asked if they could borrow our snowblower to clear out their driveway. All other neighbors are either shoveling or have their own equipment. We say that we’d rather not: liability, not sure they even know how to use one, etc…. We then have an awkward back and forth until they finally roll their eyes, mutter something under their breaths, and walk off. They finally ended up flagging down one of the small plows clearing the road and I guess they convinced or paid the driver to clear out their driveway.

Totally blown away by this situation!!

Our neighbors are young, probably late 20s or early 30s. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Is this the new normal for younger generations?!?

You sound like such a nice neighbor, OP. Why in the world would you not loan them your snowblower for an hour? "Liability?" Please. You're being ridiculous and mean, to boot.

[Anonymous]

You're selfish for not having shared your equipment and taught them how to use it. My snowblowing neighbor does both sides of the whole street.

You're also nasty and stupid for generalizing one incident to an entire generation.

[Anonymous]

I would just let it go. It's okay that they're frustrated, but they're just being lazy and cheap. i too wouldn't let someone use my snowblower, let alone one that cost 1k. They're expensive and easily damaged. Just say no and don't offer an explanation.

I'm a millennial and would never ask!

[Anonymous]

Why, yes OP, these two neighbors represent their entire age group. Please judge them all equally based on this one interaction.

[Anonymous]

They only moved in 4 months ago, so maybe this was their first big snow in a house vs. a condo or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You're selfish for not having shared your equipment and taught them how to use it. My snowblowing neighbor does both sides of the whole street.

You're also nasty and stupid for generalizing one incident to an entire generation.

np.. but imagine if the whole neighborhood asked OP to use their snowblower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You're selfish for not having shared your equipment and taught them how to use it. My snowblowing neighbor does both sides of the whole street.

You're also nasty and stupid for generalizing one incident to an entire generation.

np.. but imagine if the whole neighborhood asked OP to use their snowblower.

So what if they do? Why are you people so stingy?

[Anonymous]

You sound like a complete tool, OP. Pun firmly intended.

Do you vote Republican, by chance? You sound like the type that would vote Republican. You know, "I got mine, screw the rest of y'all."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You're selfish for not having shared your equipment and taught them how to use it. My snowblowing neighbor does both sides of the whole street.

You're also nasty and stupid for generalizing one incident to an entire generation.

np.. but imagine if the whole neighborhood asked OP to use their snowblower.

So what if they do? Why are you people so stingy?

Seriously. I know one neighbor with an extra long ladder and everybody borrows it the 1x every 10 years they need it.

FFS. It's wild. This is something they might ask to use once every 10 years.

The reality is that is what neighbors do, they help each other.

[Anonymous]

My neighbors have a plow and plow everyone's driveway on our street. They reap what they sow, in spades.