New neighbors insisted on using my snowblower

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just to be clear, my DH is the one that uses our snowblower. I’m the light shoveler and scared to death of that thing. We cleared our driveway last night because he had to go into work early this morning (he is a surgeon at INOVA). I’m sure DH would have volunteered to help clear their driveway but he was gone and probably wouldn’t have lent it anyway given how dangerous they can be. Just seemed really off putting that they were so insistent about it. I guess I should have told them to wait until DH was home later and he would be happy to help but wasn’t really thinking on my feet.

[Anonymous]

we were the only ones who ... shoveled out the driveways for the elderly neighbors

Maybe your neighbors do other things for them. Things you don't know about. Get off your high horse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This. If you were worried about liability (you weren’t), you could have said something like “I’d prefer other people didn’t use my machine. I have some time to do it XXX if that works”. Then if it’s a neighborly thing they will invite you in afterwards.

[Anonymous]

At least now they know not to knock on your door and ask to use your lawn mower.

[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.

Our neighbor with a snowblower cleared the sidewalks on our whole block!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Just to be clear, my DH is the one that uses our snowblower. I’m the light shoveler and scared to death of that thing. We cleared our driveway last night because he had to go into work early this morning (he is a surgeon at INOVA). I’m sure DH would have volunteered to help clear their driveway but he was gone and probably wouldn’t have lent it anyway given how dangerous they can be. Just seemed really off putting that they were so insistent about it. I guess I should have told them to wait until DH was home later and he would be happy to help but wasn’t really thinking on my feet.

You are scared to death of a snowblower? That is like a man saying he is scared to death of a dishwasher or washing machine!

[Anonymous]

My neighbor used his snowplow to clear all the sidewalks on our street. We all appreciate him.

[Anonymous]

Why are people sooo freaked out about saying, "no" ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Just to be clear, my DH is the one that uses our snowblower. I’m the light shoveler and scared to death of that thing. We cleared our driveway last night because he had to go into work early this morning (he is a surgeon at INOVA). I’m sure DH would have volunteered to help clear their driveway but he was gone and probably wouldn’t have lent it anyway given how dangerous they can be. Just seemed really off putting that they were so insistent about it. I guess I should have told them to wait until DH was home later and he would be happy to help but wasn’t really thinking on my feet.

Next time don't answer the door.

[Anonymous]

People are just so indignant to be asked a question

[Anonymous]

I have a snowblower (8hp 27", so a modest beast) I blow out around 8 of our neighbors; driveways. I wouldn't lend it out. For many reasons. They are finicky and can get bogged down with too wet of snow and you can scorch the drive belts easily if you overload it. If you walk too fast you can overload the auger. Rocks can get wedged in the auger and you have to get them out carefully. Managing the discharge chute is a continuous process so you don't throw snow onto cars, windows, kids, etc.I've got 50 years of experience doing that. Most important, the snow at 9am Sunday was something the snowblower could handle. The snow with 4" of sleet mixed in was not blowable. So they missed the window of using the snowblower anyway.

[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.

Our neighbor with a snowblower cleared the sidewalks on our whole block!

that was certainly kind, but in OP's situation, they also wanted to clear their driveway, I suspect. So, imagine if the entire neighborhood wanted to borrow the snowblower to clear their driveways.

FWIW, DH and I (and DD) shoveled all of our own snow. There is neighbor who has a snowblower, and we saw them using it. We didn't ask to use it. That is quite rude. Snowblowers are not cheap things.

[Anonymous]

FF a few years and you need help. Lolz

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a snowblower (8hp 27", so a modest beast) I blow out around 8 of our neighbors; driveways. I wouldn't lend it out. For many reasons. They are finicky and can get bogged down with too wet of snow and you can scorch the drive belts easily if you overload it. If you walk too fast you can overload the auger. Rocks can get wedged in the auger and you have to get them out carefully. Managing the discharge chute is a continuous process so you don't throw snow onto cars, windows, kids, etc.I've got 50 years of experience doing that. Most important, the snow at 9am Sunday was something the snowblower could handle. The snow with 4" of sleet mixed in was not blowable. So they missed the window of using the snowblower anyway.

+1 saw my neighbor trying to use the snowblower on the icy snow this morning. They were having a hard time.

This thread reminds of a thread a while ago about how someone thought it was rude for their neighbor to not offer to plug in some of their electrical chords into the neighbor's generator when the power was out, as if they were entitled to it. The consensus was for the OP to get their own generator.

In this case, the neighbors should also get their own snowblower.

DH and I just talked about getting one for next year.

it's one thing if the neighbor is elderly or incapable; it's another if they are young and able bodied. FWIW, we are in our 50s/60s, and we shoveled our own snow while watching our neighbor use their snowblower.

Seems the neighbors were entitled.

[Anonymous]

Did you ask if they knew how to use it?

Maybe they aren’t as frightened of it as you are.