Anonymous
05/13/2026 20:24
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
I think this is fine to ask. I would not offer payment but I would offer to cover a similar chore for her in the future. And I’d give her a small token of appreciation like baked goods or a gift card for Starbucks or whatever, when I returned.
I don’t know if you have anything similar, but In my neighborhood I could also use our listserv and ask if any middle school or high school kids wanted to earn $50 doing this
I don’t know if you have anything similar, but In my neighborhood I could also use our listserv and ask if any middle school or high school kids wanted to earn $50 doing this
Anonymous
05/13/2026 20:06
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
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?
Do you live in the desert? If I water, I water once a week.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 19:21
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
Anonymous wrote:Asking me to do it every day unless it rained would indicate to me that this person is too particular. Too particular for me, not a good match. The plants would get more water from me than if no one did it. I would do it a few times when I remembered.
Likely I'm not the garden-lover the owner hopes for.
I don’t think it’s particular at all. If you ask someone to water every day, the person may assume they still have to check on the plants even if it rained. Of course plants don’t need watering if it’s raining.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 17:42
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
Asking me to do it every day unless it rained would indicate to me that this person is too particular. Too particular for me, not a good match. The plants would get more water from me than if no one did it. I would do it a few times when I remembered.
Likely I'm not the garden-lover the owner hopes for.
Likely I'm not the garden-lover the owner hopes for.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 17:05
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'll be honest, I wouldn't want the burden of this. Sorry guys!
Of watering your next door neighbor's potted plants once a day for a few days?? Do you never need a minor favor from your nextdoor neighbor? No package being brought out of the rain, no closing the garage door you accidentally left open? Even so, if you really don't want to, you can just say you might be away yourself for part of the week, you aren't sure of your schedule yet, and you don't want to commit to saying yes, and offer your apologies. And it will be totally fine and not rude.
Not the PP but people are too particular and quick to blame nowadays. You gave my plant too much water or my plant died because of you. You owe me a new ____. No thanks!
Well if my neighbors were like that then no, I wouldn't want to either. But i live in a normal neighborhood.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 16:58
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
Anonymous wrote:This sounds like a normal neighbor request to me. A small gift and an offer to help her in the future would be great.
Offer to help her in the future. Gifts are tricky. A lot of people don't want stuff, and food has lots of landmines with food allergies, special diets (e.g. diabetic). Also, make it clear from the start you are not offended if she says "no" and it won't change a thing. You never know what kind of help people enjoy doing and what kind of help is a burden so give her an out.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 16:56
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
I always like to offer the job for pay to a high schooler. It's really hard to find work at that age because the minimum wage is so high. I just don't like asking anyone to do something for free and I also don't want to offend an adult by insisting on paying. Before I ask a teen, I ask the parents if it's OK for me to offer the job to them and they seem to appreciate that.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 16:17
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
Anonymous wrote:This something friendly neighbors do. Don’t offer to pay, but a thank you gift would be nice.
Only if you will help her in the future.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 16:15
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
Anonymous wrote:Does it need to be every day?
I think it’s decent to at least check them daily. I don’t know that they require water daily.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 16:13
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
My neighbors and I do this for each other. I think it's fine.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 16:10
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
Does it need to be every day?
Anonymous
05/13/2026 16:05
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
Personally I would hate it but my spouse, who handles the yard work, would do it. I hate standing out in the buggy evening watering stuff.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 16:02
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
In my neighborhood this would be something you pay a neighborhood kid to do. 9 days is very long.
Anonymous
05/13/2026 16:00
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'll be honest, I wouldn't want the burden of this. Sorry guys!
Of watering your next door neighbor's potted plants once a day for a few days?? Do you never need a minor favor from your nextdoor neighbor? No package being brought out of the rain, no closing the garage door you accidentally left open? Even so, if you really don't want to, you can just say you might be away yourself for part of the week, you aren't sure of your schedule yet, and you don't want to commit to saying yes, and offer your apologies. And it will be totally fine and not rude.
Not the PP but people are too particular and quick to blame nowadays. You gave my plant too much water or my plant died because of you. You owe me a new ____. No thanks!
Yeah, that's totally the reason
Anonymous
05/13/2026 15:56
Subject: Would this neighbor request feel burdensome to you?
This sounds like a normal neighbor request to me. A small gift and an offer to help her in the future would be great.