Etiquette re landscapers taking their lunch break on my front lawn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turns out I have done hard labor outside in the summer, and turns out I am also an immigrant. I have nothing against immigrants. I just happen to believe that perhaps people shouldn't sleep in lawns that aren't theirs? But I also have enough introspection to ask about other peoples' opinions. Seems like everyone here thinks they would be thrilled to have people sleeping on their front lawns.

Maybe you’re thinking the way you do because you ARE an immigrant. Understand that we have no caste system here. We treat our manual laborers with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Who said anything about a caste system? What a leap, to assume my background and motivations so specifically. And I haven't harassed them or belittled them. A lot of extrapolation is going on here. They deserve a break and deserve respect. No disagreement there. I will just say that I do not see this happening in front of anyone else's home. And no one here is saying this is happening to them. So if it's not standard practice for landscapers to take their breaks and nap in their clients' homes, why is it so monstrous of me to be slightly offput by it?

I also thought she was an Indian or from maybe from Iran. In my experience, way too often both groups think they are special.

Nope, and nope.

OP, can you tell us what manual labor you did outside in the long summer days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get your hose, turn the water on and spray on them. And yell “get outta hear you fking dogs!!”

Just program the sprinklers on a timer, so then you can claim innocence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turns out I have done hard labor outside in the summer, and turns out I am also an immigrant. I have nothing against immigrants. I just happen to believe that perhaps people shouldn't sleep in lawns that aren't theirs? But I also have enough introspection to ask about other peoples' opinions. Seems like everyone here thinks they would be thrilled to have people sleeping on their front lawns.

Maybe you’re thinking the way you do because you ARE an immigrant. Understand that we have no caste system here. We treat our manual laborers with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Who said anything about a caste system? What a leap, to assume my background and motivations so specifically. And I haven't harassed them or belittled them. A lot of extrapolation is going on here. They deserve a break and deserve respect. No disagreement there. I will just say that I do not see this happening in front of anyone else's home. And no one here is saying this is happening to them. So if it's not standard practice for landscapers to take their breaks and nap in their clients' homes, why is it so monstrous of me to be slightly offput by it?

I also thought she was an Indian or from maybe from Iran. In my experience, way too often both groups think they are special.

Nope, and nope.

OP, can you tell us what manual labor you did outside in the long summer days?

Why does it matter? I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. Pretty sure you guys think I am some pearl-clutching Nazi. I am a young immigrant who came from no money and just recently bought my first home, and happened to feel uncomfortable that the people who mow my (small!) lawn sleep out front for an hour a week without first asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turns out I have done hard labor outside in the summer, and turns out I am also an immigrant. I have nothing against immigrants. I just happen to believe that perhaps people shouldn't sleep in lawns that aren't theirs? But I also have enough introspection to ask about other peoples' opinions. Seems like everyone here thinks they would be thrilled to have people sleeping on their front lawns.

Maybe you’re thinking the way you do because you ARE an immigrant. Understand that we have no caste system here. We treat our manual laborers with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Who said anything about a caste system? What a leap, to assume my background and motivations so specifically. And I haven't harassed them or belittled them. A lot of extrapolation is going on here. They deserve a break and deserve respect. No disagreement there. I will just say that I do not see this happening in front of anyone else's home. And no one here is saying this is happening to them. So if it's not standard practice for landscapers to take their breaks and nap in their clients' homes, why is it so monstrous of me to be slightly offput by it?

I also thought she was an Indian or from maybe from Iran. In my experience, way too often both groups think they are special.

Nope, and nope.

OP, can you tell us what manual labor you did outside in the long summer days?

Why does it matter? I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. Pretty sure you guys think I am some pearl-clutching Nazi. I am a young immigrant who came from no money and just recently bought my first home, and happened to feel uncomfortable that the people who mow my (small!) lawn sleep out front for an hour a week without first asking.

If this is true, you're not doing yourself any favors. You're comparing your optional volunteer work for a week, to someone's livelihood?

Honey, I've volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in Central America. It's a cakewalk compared to the day-long labor that lawncare people do all day every day to put food on the table. And I'm a single female homeowner - what the hell are you afraid of? Seriously?

Go get some real problems. Maybe do your own lawncare. It'll build character, because you clearly need it in a big way.

[Anonymous]

You could bring them some cold drinks. YTA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turns out I have done hard labor outside in the summer, and turns out I am also an immigrant. I have nothing against immigrants. I just happen to believe that perhaps people shouldn't sleep in lawns that aren't theirs? But I also have enough introspection to ask about other peoples' opinions. Seems like everyone here thinks they would be thrilled to have people sleeping on their front lawns.

Maybe you’re thinking the way you do because you ARE an immigrant. Understand that we have no caste system here. We treat our manual laborers with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Who said anything about a caste system? What a leap, to assume my background and motivations so specifically. And I haven't harassed them or belittled them. A lot of extrapolation is going on here. They deserve a break and deserve respect. No disagreement there. I will just say that I do not see this happening in front of anyone else's home. And no one here is saying this is happening to them. So if it's not standard practice for landscapers to take their breaks and nap in their clients' homes, why is it so monstrous of me to be slightly offput by it?

I also thought she was an Indian or from maybe from Iran. In my experience, way too often both groups think they are special.

Nope, and nope.

OP, can you tell us what manual labor you did outside in the long summer days?

Can't win, no matter what I say. I never said I had done the most grueling labor of all time. Someone asked and I answered. I have many problems, and of course you know nothing about them. But it is belittling to assume that you do. Everyone on this thread is exhausting.

Why does it matter? I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. Pretty sure you guys think I am some pearl-clutching Nazi. I am a young immigrant who came from no money and just recently bought my first home, and happened to feel uncomfortable that the people who mow my (small!) lawn sleep out front for an hour a week without first asking.

If this is true, you're not doing yourself any favors. You're comparing your optional volunteer work for a week, to someone's livelihood?

Honey, I've volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in Central America. It's a cakewalk compared to the day-long labor that lawncare people do all day every day to put food on the table. And I'm a single female homeowner - what the hell are you afraid of? Seriously?

Go get some real problems. Maybe do your own lawncare. It'll build character, because you clearly need it in a big way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Turns out I have done hard labor outside in the summer, and turns out I am also an immigrant. I have nothing against immigrants. I just happen to believe that perhaps people shouldn't sleep in lawns that aren't theirs? But I also have enough introspection to ask about other peoples' opinions. Seems like everyone here thinks they would be thrilled to have people sleeping on their front lawns.

Maybe you’re thinking the way you do because you ARE an immigrant. Understand that we have no caste system here. We treat our manual laborers with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Who said anything about a caste system? What a leap, to assume my background and motivations so specifically. And I haven't harassed them or belittled them. A lot of extrapolation is going on here. They deserve a break and deserve respect. No disagreement there. I will just say that I do not see this happening in front of anyone else's home. And no one here is saying this is happening to them. So if it's not standard practice for landscapers to take their breaks and nap in their clients' homes, why is it so monstrous of me to be slightly offput by it?

I also thought she was an Indian or from maybe from Iran. In my experience, way too often both groups think they are special.

Nope, and nope.

OP, can you tell us what manual labor you did outside in the long summer days?

Can't win, no matter what I say. I never said I had done the most grueling labor of all time. Someone asked and I answered. I have many problems, and of course you know nothing about them. But it is belittling to assume that you do. Everyone on this thread is exhausting.

Why does it matter? I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. Pretty sure you guys think I am some pearl-clutching Nazi. I am a young immigrant who came from no money and just recently bought my first home, and happened to feel uncomfortable that the people who mow my (small!) lawn sleep out front for an hour a week without first asking.

If this is true, you're not doing yourself any favors. You're comparing your optional volunteer work for a week, to someone's livelihood?

Honey, I've volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in Central America. It's a cakewalk compared to the day-long labor that lawncare people do all day every day to put food on the table. And I'm a single female homeowner - what the hell are you afraid of? Seriously?

Go get some real problems. Maybe do your own lawncare. It'll build character, because you clearly need it in a big way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have landscapers come once a week to mow our lawn. They are very reasonably priced and I have no complaints with the quality of their work. However, oftentimes the crew take their lunch break immediately before or after their service. I have a large cherry blossom tree in my front yard and they lay/lounge beneath its shade and eat/nap/watch videos on their phone. This is generally for 30 mins to an hour.

They have never asked our permission to do this. We continued their contract from the previous homeowners so I don't know if the previous owners gave their blessing to do this. They don't leave trash or do anything destructive. If I leave the house while they are there, they keep to themselves and aren't a nuisance or anything. However, I can't help but feel a little annoyed by this practice. I appreciate their work but it doesn't entitle them to have free use of my property. There is a significant language barrier, so it is not easy to talk to them. I am torn between complaining about this to their company, which makes me fear that they will retaliate somehow (or just do a poorer job), vs. just dealing with the minor irritation. What do you guys think?

I think you are looking for problems and people to look down on.

[Anonymous]

Formatting keeps getting messed up. Apparently there is not a single thing I can say in my own defense. I never said I had done the most grueling labor of all time. I never compared it to anyone's livelihood. Someone asked if I had *ever* done outdoor labor in the summer, and I answered. I have many problems, and of course you know nothing about them. But it is belittling to assume that you do. Everyone on this thread is exhausting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Formatting keeps getting messed up. Apparently there is not a single thing I can say in my own defense. I never said I had done the most grueling labor of all time. I never compared it to anyone's livelihood. Someone asked if I had *ever* done outdoor labor in the summer, and I answered. I have many problems, and of course you know nothing about them. But it is belittling to assume that you do. Everyone on this thread is exhausting.

Because... maybe nothing you say is justifying your being upset over this. Have you thought about that? That the problem here is you?

[Anonymous]

Wow. Oh, and.. yikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have landscapers come once a week to mow our lawn. They are very reasonably priced and I have no complaints with the quality of their work. However, oftentimes the crew take their lunch break immediately before or after their service. I have a large cherry blossom tree in my front yard and they lay/lounge beneath its shade and eat/nap/watch videos on their phone. This is generally for 30 mins to an hour.

They have never asked our permission to do this. We continued their contract from the previous homeowners so I don't know if the previous owners gave their blessing to do this. They don't leave trash or do anything destructive. If I leave the house while they are there, they keep to themselves and aren't a nuisance or anything. However, I can't help but feel a little annoyed by this practice. I appreciate their work but it doesn't entitle them to have free use of my property. There is a significant language barrier, so it is not easy to talk to them. I am torn between complaining about this to their company, which makes me fear that they will retaliate somehow (or just do a poorer job), vs. just dealing with the minor irritation. What do you guys think?

I think you are looking for problems and people to look down on.

Agree w/ this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Random people? No. But somebody I hire to do work that I am satisfied with, where I know they don’t have an accessible break room, at a time of day that makes sense when they are obviously careful to clean up after themselves?

Yeah, be okay with that.

+1

And I'd definitely offer them cold water and access to my bathroom when I was home.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't think you're a horrible person for asking this question. Personally, I would not have any problem with this. I don't serve lemonade, but I do always offer water to anyone working in my yard.

Is it that they didn't ask your permission that is bothering you about this? Or do you genuinely just not want them there napping, relaxing on your lawn for a bit after they are done? It's your property, so you have the right to ask them not to, but I don't really see the problem with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Formatting keeps getting messed up. Apparently there is not a single thing I can say in my own defense. I never said I had done the most grueling labor of all time. I never compared it to anyone's livelihood. Someone asked if I had *ever* done outdoor labor in the summer, and I answered. I have many problems, and of course you know nothing about them. But it is belittling to assume that you do. Everyone on this thread is exhausting.

There is no defense for your attitude.