Ugh I am so done trying to be nice to neighbors
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (120132)
United States
August 28, 2024 3:18pm CST
As obnoxious and abrasive as I can come across online I really am not. I'm pretty mellow. People who first met me online and then met me in person (no one here) will attest to that. 
I'm very chill unless I'm at work but that is a whole separate thing. One thing I've always tried to do in my life is help others. I guess it is part of my DNA and part of that Catholic school education.
We have a 24 year old autistic guy who lives here in the complex. He is high-functioning and friendly. We all kind of keep an eye on him because sometimes he needs to be redirected. This summer his mother has been relying on me to keep an eye on him when he goes to the pool. Um I'm not the lifeguard. I'm not his parent. I'm not his guardian. I will tell him to knock it off if he is acting inappropriately but it isn't my job to watch her son when she doesn't accompany him to the pool. She texted me today while I was napping to see if I was going there. When I woke up I said "probably not" and I didn't feel guilty about that at all.
I've also had my former neighbor's 3 year old French Bulldog here since 5:30 am. I started watching him (FOR FREE) when she still lived next to me up here. Now she drops him off for 13+ hours at a time. . . still for free. The dog is easy enough to deal with. She is crazy obsessed with him and texts me all day for updates on him. My most recent update was that he had finished most of his food, I had taken him out for a 3rd walk, but that he hadn't pooped. She told me this morning that he hadn't gone. So now she is flipping out that he hasn't taken a crap. Like what does she want me to do? Rush him to the vet? Not happening. I never give him any food that she doesn't supply because his digestive system is so sensitive. There is nothing I can do about it. She is losing her mind because he hasn't pooped and is blowing up my phone. Like girl I'm doing you a favor by providing doggy daycare for free for over 12 hours. 
I need to stop being so nice to the people around here. I love my downstairs neighbor and she has a key to get in here but the rest of these people. . . I'm over it.
I'm very chill unless I'm at work but that is a whole separate thing. One thing I've always tried to do in my life is help others. I guess it is part of my DNA and part of that Catholic school education.
We have a 24 year old autistic guy who lives here in the complex. He is high-functioning and friendly. We all kind of keep an eye on him because sometimes he needs to be redirected. This summer his mother has been relying on me to keep an eye on him when he goes to the pool. Um I'm not the lifeguard. I'm not his parent. I'm not his guardian. I will tell him to knock it off if he is acting inappropriately but it isn't my job to watch her son when she doesn't accompany him to the pool. She texted me today while I was napping to see if I was going there. When I woke up I said "probably not" and I didn't feel guilty about that at all.
I've also had my former neighbor's 3 year old French Bulldog here since 5:30 am. I started watching him (FOR FREE) when she still lived next to me up here. Now she drops him off for 13+ hours at a time. . . still for free. The dog is easy enough to deal with. She is crazy obsessed with him and texts me all day for updates on him. My most recent update was that he had finished most of his food, I had taken him out for a 3rd walk, but that he hadn't pooped. She told me this morning that he hadn't gone. So now she is flipping out that he hasn't taken a crap. Like what does she want me to do? Rush him to the vet? Not happening. I never give him any food that she doesn't supply because his digestive system is so sensitive. There is nothing I can do about it. She is losing her mind because he hasn't pooped and is blowing up my phone. Like girl I'm doing you a favor by providing doggy daycare for free for over 12 hours.
I need to stop being so nice to the people around here. I love my downstairs neighbor and she has a key to get in here but the rest of these people. . . I'm over it.13 people like this
13 responses
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
29 Aug
At some point the "nice" has to stop. You need a few moments of peace to yourself.
3 people like this
@much2say (56053)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Aug
You are kind for being neighborly, but yah, boundaries have to be set. Every now and then is one thing, but all the time is just too much. It is a lot of work and responsibility, for free and on your time . . . now they're taking it for granted.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (71790)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Aug
Your formar neighbor is deffently taking advantage of you. Hello, it's hot as hell, animals feel it too. Befiore Chilly started activly dying, he pooped once a day sometimes once every other day. When he'd gone three days with taking a landmine break that's when I knew he probably wouldn't last long. Turned out I was right.
It's not uncommon for cats and dogs to go a day without leaving landmines. He probably will when he gets home and cools down. If I'm not mistaken, bulldogs like that and heat aren't friends. I think they're prone to breathing problems and heat-related issues. Which might explain why he ate less today. Your former neighbor doesn't know this about her dog?
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90474)
• Arvada, Colorado
29 Aug
You are awfully nice Chicaa..nicer than I'd be.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80736)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
28 Aug
I know how you feel but do keep watching Whiskey I am fond of the dog and I have never met him, I kind of feel that anxiety-ridden and crazy me and Whiskey would be good friends,
1 person likes this
@Iam_jauntyjen (5037)
•
29 Aug
Same here! I've done a lot for a few of my compatriots here. Only to find out backstabbing me. I felt sorry for one of them. She's a battered wife, and, her MIL doesn't treat her right. On top of that, her son has spectrum disorder. One day, she tried to take her life. She called me and without having a second thought, I skipped my language class and accompanied her to calm down.
I've helped her several times in different situations. How ungrateful!
@Deepizzaguy (104150)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Aug
I know how you feel if there is one thing that bothers me is that my relatives feed stray cats outside which have not caused any harm to our neighbors who make us out to be bad persons by leaving food for them to eat in the front yard.
@aninditasen (16503)
• Raurkela, India
29 Aug
It's nice to be helpful but not going over board to help someone, I should say to the point of exploitation.
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
29 Aug
I can see maybe not being able to afford an hourly wage for you to watch Whiskey; but the fact that she gives you NOTHING would really get under my skin. Have a good day.
@MarieCoyle (38704)
•
28 Aug
Hey, just say NO! This is a perfect example of give someone an inch and they will take 10 miles!! I would start asking for payment. You have literally saved that woman thousands of dollars in doggy daycare charges and she is well aware of that.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (2485)
• India
29 Aug
At some point, there needs to be a full stop. I can understand when we need to keep a watch for a day or two. But this seems to be never ending. In fact , I feel the neighbour is taking advantage of you. Just draw the line and say no, you would not be able to do the things again this time. I too have faced such situations and well I was forced to draw the line. Soon these people disappeared. The other disturbing aspect is most of these characters would not return the help when such opportunities arises.
