Neighbour asking to share wifi temporarily

[papergazelle]

I’ve lived in the flat next to my neighbours for a year and a half, never really spoken except the occasional hello, though we will take in parcels for each other and leave them at each other’s doors.

Today I got a note asking if they could use my wifi for a week, as they’ve changed their broadband and are waiting on their new router to arrive. They also stated that they’re willing pay some of the bill and left their mobile number for me to send the password and internet name to if I agreed to it.

DH thinks they’re being cheeky to even ask and says that we should write a note back saying we’re on a limited plan so can’t share. I agree with him but I’m too soft for my own good so still feel bad for turning them down and really awkward about responding to them

WWYD? How would you go about responding to a request like this?

Yes of course. Good to help neighbors

@FartingInTheFence

You have completely missed the point!
I’m not saying they may find out you have fibbed
I’m saying the suggestion is a childish and daft response.

It’s either a yes that’s fine or a no I’m not comfortable giving you the code
You don’t need to make up a fib

Those who are day I g it's unkind or mean spirited not you seriously need to understand the possible consequences sequences if letting other people use their internet connection. You are massively naïve.

Not a chance. Either don't respond at all - no obligation to - or say you are unable to as you have limited allowance so it doesn't suit. My neighbours are good friends and they wouldn't dare ask and I wouldn't ask them either.

I borrowed my neighbours internet for around 4 weeks when I first moved it - it was a life saver but would have understood if they would have said no.

When they were waiting for their line to be fixed for a couple of weeks I shared my password with them. At present their internet is better at the end of my flat, and mine covers better their living room so now we use the internet interchangeably.

Back in the day neighbours shared sugar, milk and looked after each others kids. Growing up we had each of our neighbours keys in case of an emergency and tbh I quite like that mentality. Obviously I wouldn't give out my info or be particularly friendly if we had a drug dealer/pimp next door but that would be a completely a different kettle of fish.

Agree Iaint. Due to talk talk utter ineptitude we suddenly had no WiFi for a week I wfh so was tearing my hair out. Lovely neighbors let me use their WiFi until it was fixed. So grateful.

We did this (they offered rather than be asking). But they can buy data if it's just a week for mobiles, they can go without Netflix for a week

Why can't they pay their mobile phone people for an increase in data usage for 2 weeks? Yes it's more expensive but it's at their cost/risk and inconvenience - not at neighbours they don't talk to

It's very cheeky since you don't know them

I know it might come as s shock to some people but not everywhere has a 4G signal, and many don't have one that is enough to support things like laptops etc.

I’d say ok, then change the WiFi password 2 weeks later. It’s the neighbourly thing to do, assuming you know them etc.

Maybe I’m hopelessly naive but I have found most people are decent. If a pleasant neighbour asks for a good reason the chances of them being a child porn distributor, or planning a terrist attack from my WiFi seems pretty remote.

next door neighbours to the right absoloutly i would and wouldn't charge a penny to the left I wouldnt feel comfortable but only because i don't speak to them.