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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To play cf neighbours at their own game

210 replies

Raspberryberetthekindyoufind · 27/08/2018 12:10

Nest door moved in about a year ago, an older couple and asked DH very nicely if he would mind mowing their lawn when he does ours as they really struggle. DH agreed and said no problem at all
Anyway fast forward to now DH has a bad back and has done for three weeks so our grass and their grass has got really long. I have physical disability so can’t do it myself.
I told neighbours when he did his back in and said hopefully he would be able to do it in a few weeks. The women seemed really put out but but I put it down to catching her at a bad moment.
Three weeks on DH is getting better but wants to leave the mowing for another week until he is properly better
Knock on the door last night and it was the man next door demanding to know when he lawn would be cut, I explained it would hopefully be in a week or so and he stormed off.
This morning I was in the garden and so were next door and she said loudly to her husband that we should pay for someone to do both lawns as they look awful and it’s down to us to sort them. Just then their son who is in his thirty’s arrives with his wife and son and comes in the back garden.
I pop my head over and say “Hi, can I ask you a favour since both lawns are looking awful and DH is laid up with his back could you give both of them a run over for us. Especially as DH has done your parents lawn for over a year, Thankyou soooooo much. I then went back inside with them stareing at me open mouthed.
The son is now mowing our lawn Grin

OP posts:
MissVanjie · 27/08/2018 14:38

gosh that is literally unbelievably cheeky

you had me until the 'solicitor's letter'

hahaha

Iloveacurry · 27/08/2018 14:49

What contract?! Definitely CFs!

howabout · 27/08/2018 14:50

Star except for the part where you agreed to their request in the first place. Normal people don't ask something for nothing.

Definitely think DS doesn't do their grass for a reason. Would not be asking or trying to find out. Sounds like they have enough drama going on which I would not want to be anywhere near.

nakedscientist · 27/08/2018 14:50

Sweet justice!

Well done. Let the son do your lawn for a year and if he misses a week say "Goodness, DH was never this slack when his back was good!"

midsomermurderess · 27/08/2018 14:54

For a contract to exist, there also has to be agreement over the thing contracted for, consensus in idem. That sounds conspicuously lacking here.

Botanicbaby · 27/08/2018 14:56

I don’t think we’re allowed to be incredulous about the contract that’s been produced! Confused

franchesco · 27/08/2018 15:05

I can't wait to see this contract Grin

Original poster
Raspberryberetthekindyoufind · 27/08/2018 15:07

I have spoken to the son on his way out and he said his dad had said that we insisted on doing the lawn as a Thankyou to them for all the baking she does for us Hmm. She once gave DS a cupcake about 6 months ago.

He apologised when I explained it all, he said he would be doing the lawn in future. and gave me his number in case they try anything. He said he thinks they are suffering from the early states of dementia. He had no idea his dad had come round as his dad had said he was bobbing to the shop.

OP posts:
minisoksmakehardwork · 27/08/2018 15:09

Oh bless. The son sounds like he has the measure of what is going on. At least you have their number if there is any more batshittery. I get the feeling there might be if he thinks they're in the early stages of dementia. Clearly this isn't a one off occurrence of behaviour he has experienced himself.

minisoksmakehardwork · 27/08/2018 15:09

Oh bless. The son sounds like he has the measure of what is going on. At least you have their number if there is any more batshittery. I get the feeling there might be if he thinks they're in the early stages of dementia. Clearly this isn't a one off occurrence of behaviour he has experienced himself.

Beeziekn33ze · 27/08/2018 15:13

Raspberry - Well done, too often the perfect response comes when we're back home, or we're too flabbergasted by CFs to speak at all.
Glad the son is so realistic and that you're now able to contact him.

seven201 · 27/08/2018 15:33

Wow, what a thread! I'm so proud of you. And so glad the son is sensible.

Beaverhausen · 27/08/2018 15:33

Lol good for you OP I would not have the balls to do it. But I would send DH around when he was better to explain to the couple that he was doing them a favour and if they were going to act so entitled it would probably be best if they paid someone to do it for them.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 27/08/2018 15:34

I rarely report anything, simply because I don't believe in shutting down discussion EVEN IF I find what someone said offensive.

Same here, Salem - unless someone is being very personally abusive about a poster, I leave it.

I just ignore/ don't read the posts/posters I find objectionable. It's not really hard.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 27/08/2018 15:37

He said he thinks they are suffering from the early states of dementia. He had no idea his dad had come round as his dad had said he was bobbing to the shop.

If his dad had the nous to lie off the cuff like this, I doubt that there is any dementia - just batshit entitlement crazy.

Pumpkintopf · 27/08/2018 15:46

I can't believe they were so rude to you op. Good that the son at least seems reasonable.

QueenDoria · 27/08/2018 15:53

Thank goodness for the lovely son. Please be kind to older folk - dementia turns the loveliest of adults to very different characters

Womaningreen · 27/08/2018 16:02

@ciderhouserules

What did the council say?!

Stupomax · 27/08/2018 16:06

Are CF neighbours American?

Not sure how being American changes the likelihood a neighbour being a CF but my American neighbour regularly mows my lawn for me without me even asking. He also snowploughs my drive, although he does insist on spelling it snowplow for which he must be punished Grin

Whatsthisbear · 27/08/2018 16:14

At least now you have spoken to the son your DH won’t have to do their grass anymore.

MissConductUS · 27/08/2018 16:30

Not sure how being American changes the likelihood a neighbour being a CF

Well obviously all CF's, grabby people and piss takers are required by law to be American. If one is found in another country the are immediately deported to New Jersey, which is our version of Essex.

Stupomax I suspect your neighbor is actually Canadian. They are epic snowplowers.

Stupomax · 27/08/2018 16:34

Stupomax I suspect your neighbor is actually Canadian. They are epic snowplowers.

Almost - he's actually from Aroostock County Grin

Figgygal · 27/08/2018 16:37

Oh my lord I bet the son is mirtified

Good on you op!!!

BolleauxtoBankers · 27/08/2018 16:40

What QueenDoria said: "Thank goodness for the lovely son. Please be kind to older folk - dementia turns the loveliest of adults to very different characters." And turns already unpleasant adults into even more unpleasant adults, I would add. Sad

TheMonkeyMummy · 27/08/2018 16:43

Oh my. That's slightly comical! Sounds like their son is a reasonable guy. Good luck, you might need it, if this is the start... (but hoping it won't get much worse than this).