Anonymous wrote:I’m friendly with a woman next door—we chat regularly, occasionally go to dinner or have drinks on patios, etc., though we’re not super close.
I’m leaving town for 9 days (leaving on a Saturday and returning the following Sunday) and need someone to water my outdoor potted flowers plus a small perennial garden. I would water everything before leaving Saturday, and again when I get home Sunday, so it would really just be the days in between, when it doesn’t rain.
The actual watering would probably take about 5 minutes a day.
She’s around 60–65, gardens constantly, and watches her little granddaughter daily, so I thought it might even be something the granddaughter would enjoy helping with. That gave me the idea to ask.
If your neighbor asked you to do this, would you feel put out? Also, would you offer money upfront? I assume she’d initially decline, but I do plan to pay or gift something regardless. What would be appropriate?
It seems burdensome to me but I would setup a timer based sprinkler system in the time I would be away. I don’t like having to depend on others but also do not want the pressure of forgetting to do something or messing something up that I agreed to.