Inconsiderate Neighbors...How Will I Correct Them?
By brenbelmonte
@brenbelmonte (113)
Philippines
November 18, 2008 6:27am CST
My neighbor used to throw their garbage behind my unit. Piled it up there for years. Finally, I mustered the courage to tell them to please refrain from throwing garbage behind my unit since everytime I enter my unit, it stinks. Good enough, the next day, my unit does not stink anymore. My problem now, is that they use chopped, scrap wood to start a fire to cook their food. Well, I understand they are trying to tighten their belts considering the high costs of using electric or gas stoves but my golly!! can't these people realize that if I can smell their garbage, surely, I'll be suffocated by the smoke coming from these burnt wood? Not to mention, that they cook three times a day! I have a window at the back of my unit, so I can't open it anymore. Even if I kept it closed all the time, the smoke just comes in my unit. Please advise me. I don't want to make it appear that I'm too harsh on my neighbors considering their plight in life. Thanks.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@maroseqf (3657)
• Philippines
18 Nov 08
We have neighbors who always burn their garbages and the smoke gets into our house. I was pregnant that time and the smoke made it hard for me to breathe. One day, I was so pissed off and asked my husband to get our neigbors attention about what they were causing. My husband told them about the situation and luckily, they did not do it again. I think everything can be fixed through good conversations.
@brenbelmonte (113)
• Philippines
18 Nov 08
Well...that's my weakness. I can't be subtle when I'm really pissed off. Maybe I'll just pretend to be having an asthma attack or maybe I'll just give them more wood...of course, not for them to burn but to be used to build a chimney. Thanks.
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
18 Nov 08
Hello,Monte! It is the same case here with us.Two of my neighbors are also throwing stuff in to my garden.Previously we had some bitter relationship as my wife complained of their activities.Inspite of several requests they are yet to refrain from throwing waste materials in to our garden.I think they are jealous people.Now we don't complain.we tolerate everything and clean the garden ourselves because complaining again means inviting tensions.thanx.
1 person likes this
@brenbelmonte (113)
• Philippines
18 Nov 08
Wow...that's a lot of patience. I can't do that. Well, I hope your neighbors will somehow refrain from throwing trash in your garden - soon.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
18 Nov 08
This is one of those situations where the rights of others interferes with our own rights. If they aren't breaking any laws then there isn't much you can do about it.
~~~~~~
Frustration: That feeling you get when you are forced to acknowledge the affect other people's decisions have on our lives.
http://www.cafepress.com/parated2k/5216900
@brenbelmonte (113)
• Philippines
18 Nov 08
That's the bitter part of reality...do we always need to have a law to protect our interests? Can't we just live by with the words in the bible "Don't do unto others what you don't want others do unto you"?
@Zezloler (497)
• United Arab Emirates
18 Nov 08
We've had quite a bit of inconsiderate neighbours in my home country, in similar situations to yours. It's confusing how people simply don't understand that they're not the only ones living in the neighbourhood. One, I think, even claimed that they owned a certain part of land that actually belonged to us. xD Where I live now, people randomly decide to move furniture around in the middle of the night. Screeech!
If it's as bad as you say and you really can't ignore it or get used to it. I think that the best thing to do with your neighbours is to simply let them know politely that they're causing a problem for you. Try to be nice though, so it doesn't seem like you're being rude. Maybe if you hint them subtly, they'll understand and stop doing it, but in some cases, you have to tell them right out.
It really depends on the kind of people your neighbours are. If they're bad-tempered and angry, maybe it's best not to mess with them, but if they stop, you might want to show appreciation and do something nice for them to let them know that you're thankful that they took your advice and didn't make a larger problem out of it as many people would. ^_^
@brenbelmonte (113)
• Philippines
18 Nov 08
Yeah...okay. Maybe I'll try to massage my face a bit before talking to them so it won't be obvious that I'm really, really, irritated because I really feel provoked. Thanks for the very christian advise.
1 person likes this
