Etiquette re landscapers taking their lunch break on my front lawn

[Anonymous]

If they’re taking care of your lawn, then yes, it seems entirely appropriate for them to take their break on your property. If they were working at another house and taking a break at yours, that would seem off. If they’re not even making a mess, why is this bothering you?

[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?

Wow. I bring my lawnmowers drinks,
Sometimes snacks too, and I also invite them to use my nice picnic tables on my patio if they want. I’m sure the previous owners set that up with them. They were nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Ha ha ha you volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and think that qualifies you as an immigrant who did manual labor? You are clueless and remarkably unselfaware.

What country did you come from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

I asked for opinions and I received them. I am not justifying my right to continue to be upset. That last poster attacked me for simply responding to someone else's question. But I am responding to people civilly, and people continue to take everything I say as an excuse to call me a monster, trash, and assume I am rich or have no problems in my life. I am happy to drop it. But I think you all really just delight in waving your pitchforks around.

[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?

Did you even read the question I was responding to? I never claimed that. My god, reading comprehension people.

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.

Ha ha ha you volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and think that qualifies you as an immigrant who did manual labor? You are clueless and remarkably unselfaware.

What country did you come from?

[Anonymous]

The irony of a Habitat for Humanity volunteer complaining about workers resting on her lawn . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCUM, with the off the cuff ad hominem attacks and quick judgements. These guys mow my lawn and are done in 15 minutes. It's not like I have a mansion. I am a new homeowner and hired someone to do more intensive landscaping for a full day. I allowed this person full access to our fridge for cold water, full bathroom access, and bought him lunch. JFC ya'll.

100% this is a lie now that you're getting shit on for being your nasty self.
I can't believe you'd report someone for taking a break! Sheesh what is wrong with people??

[Anonymous]

You are a horrible person. You do have not a caring bone in your body. They are working hard, having lunch so they have enough energy and hydration to finish the rest of the day. You SUCK as a human. Do your own lawn.

[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.

When in life, you feel EVERYONE around you is wrong and you are the only right one….maybe take a second to consider you are the moron in the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM, with the off the cuff ad hominem attacks and quick judgements. These guys mow my lawn and are done in 15 minutes. It's not like I have a mansion. I am a new homeowner and hired someone to do more intensive landscaping for a full day. I allowed this person full access to our fridge for cold water, full bathroom access, and bought him lunch. JFC ya'll.

100% this is a lie now that you're getting shit on for being your nasty self.
I can't believe you'd report someone for taking a break! Sheesh what is wrong with people??

Nope, it's true. I am posting specifically about people sleeping in my lawn, which is a separate issue. "What is wrong with people" -- yes, agree entirely. You clearly get your rocks off brigading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

When in life, you feel EVERYONE around you is wrong and you are the only right one….maybe take a second to consider you are the moron in the situation.

Or maybe DCUM is just a cesspool and the best you all have to offer is bullying. I've received maybe 2-3 thoughtful responses in this whole thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

When in life, you feel EVERYONE around you is wrong and you are the only right one….maybe take a second to consider you are the moron in the situation.

100%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

I asked for opinions and I received them. I am not justifying my right to continue to be upset. That last poster attacked me for simply responding to someone else's question. But I am responding to people civilly, and people continue to take everything I say as an excuse to call me a monster, trash, and assume I am rich or have no problems in my life. I am happy to drop it. But I think you all really just delight in waving your pitchforks around.

Now, seriously, OP. This is exactly the set of responses I expected when I read your OP. What did you expect?

[Anonymous]

It breaks my heart that people treat service folks/laborers like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Yeah, not for that but I do believe OP is a horrible person for even thinking about it this way. Who does that?!?!