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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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€200. Should I have offered more?

103 replies

Pugwash1 · 29/05/2020 16:19

I was making some dog scarves the other day and the sewing machine was playing up. I asked a neighbour on another boat to take a look at it as she is an seamstress. She came aboard, had a look, thought it might be the way the spool was being wound on and after trying herself declared the machine to be old and knackered (which it is to be fair!). I thanked her for looking anyway and told her I was buying a new one machine in a couple of weeks when we have a hire car. She insisted on getting her machine despite me saying not to worry. She got her 1 year old, fully electric, all whistles, €400 sewing machine, plugged it in and blew it up. She said she always uses a transformer on her boat, she didn't bring it and the power on our boat (same as hers) was too much for the American sewing machine hence it died. I was mortified and so apologetic and she dismissed it as her fault. Since then (2 days ago) she has been posting pictures on Facebook of the dead sewing shop machine. Every time I see her she says how sad she is about the sewing machine. How everything is "shit" because her sewing machine is dead. She does have another industrial one onboard but I completely get why she is upset. She was having a siesta today when I took over €200 to her DH. He said not to bother but I said I'd feel better for doing it. I left it on the cockpit table so he didn't see exactly how much it was there and then. He thanked us, came up and took it down below. I've since seen her and she hasn't mentioned it at all. I am worried she thinks we should have paid for the whole thing. She is German and we speak in Spanish so some things definitely get lost in translation but not much. We live in a really small community so thought paying half would be a nice gesture and keep life nice and easy. Now I'm wondering if they were expecting the whole amount.
YABU: Stump up for the whole thing you miser.
YANBU: You have paid enough.

OP posts:
Genderwitched · 29/05/2020 18:51

Ooooh, I hope Marcello's on it too.

Dreamscomingtrue · 29/05/2020 18:51

I was going to say is it a neckerchief like this?

€200. Should I have offered more?
Beautiful3 · 29/05/2020 18:53

You didn't owe her anything. It was nice if you to offer. I would forget the whole thing.

SionnachRua · 29/05/2020 18:54

I wouldn't have given the cheeky mare a single cent!

Ah here now, how is she a cheeky mare? She didn't ask for any money.

Mind you OP I agree with all the others saying you didn't need to give her anything - but it was nice of you to do so. You have such an interesting sounding life!

onalongsabbatical · 29/05/2020 18:58

Aww Franco in his wee scarves!

friskybivalves · 29/05/2020 19:00

Straight up my favourite ever Mumsnet thread. I'm imagining a kind of ocean-going Jeux Sans Frontieres Sewing Bee in a sunny place for shady people (not the OP obvs but deffo the German neighbour).

Hollyhobbi · 29/05/2020 19:12

OMG. You were in a country where you can eat in restaurants. Wow.

BackforGood · 29/05/2020 19:29

In terms of the money, I wouldn't have given her anything at all. If you decided to, then why not just give it her, rather than leaving it lying around ? Confused

However, this thread is much more interesting to have a poster who lives on a boat, in a country with such a different way of life from most of us at the momnet, who makes scarves for dogs Grin

Elouera · 29/05/2020 19:38

I assume you aren't in the UK, otherwise people would be bringing up the whole letting someone on your boat during lockdown!

I agree, did her machine just fit into whatever electrical socket you have? Its completely HER fault she didn't bring her converter. I wouldn't have given her cash at all, let alone that much!!! not you fault at all! Would she have give you money if you broke your own machine? I very much doubt it.

Is a dog scarf for drooling dogs, to keep them warm or just a fashion item?

Pugwash1 · 29/05/2020 19:44

Update! Her DH hadn't told her about the money until just now. She's been down, burst into tears about how we shouldn't have cue the obligatory 10 minutes of you shouldn't have, don't be daft, take it back, no - I insist you keep it etc. Peace has been resumed on the pontoon. She has kept the money at our insistence and she has insisted on repairing our sprayhood for free. Phew. And life carries on as normal.

OP posts:
Branleuse · 29/05/2020 21:07

Great update x

MamehaSan · 30/05/2020 00:00

What a lovely outcome Smile

RightOnTheEdge · 30/05/2020 00:18

I love this thread so much! It's so lovely.
Living on a boat, sewing dog scarfs, Franco and Marchello and lovely neighbours getting on 😊

It's my favourite thread for a long time., such a nice change from the endless CV threads and politicians and people being mean to one another.

Thank you for this pugwash I'm going over to Insta to nosy at Franco a bit more.

SpillTheTeaa · 30/05/2020 00:25

How the f did she carry a sewing machine? I always thought they were quite heavy.

nowaitaminute · 30/05/2020 00:26

Ah OP you transported me back to my boat living days...🙌💕

Flibbertyjibbit · 30/05/2020 01:03

Fab update. Although this thread makes me sad we sold our boat, I miss sailing! Love Franco and his scarf.

user1473878824 · 30/05/2020 01:41

Ask Mumsnet to delete your comment if you’re worried OP. I am so glad I saw it though, the blog is brilliant

RedBullBlood · 30/05/2020 03:09

Smashing blog, op!

whywhywhy6 · 30/05/2020 03:24

I love every single thing about this thread. Made my day! Star

caramac04 · 30/05/2020 04:43

This thread has just made me smile and feel content. Thank you
PS You didn’t have to give her any money but I would have done as you did, it was a nice thing to do.

Yankathebear · 30/05/2020 04:59

You sound so lovely op. Glad it’s sorted.
I have friends who live on boats, I’m always a bit jealous until they tell me the harder side of day to day life.

Qgardens · 30/05/2020 05:25

You do need to get mnhq to edit that post. Your real name comes up.

SabrinaThwaite · 30/05/2020 06:14

Fabulous blog, what a great adventure you’re on.

FloraGreysteel · 30/05/2020 07:11

You shouldn't have paid her anything. She probably forgot to bring the transformer and decided to wing it. The fact is that she broke her own property under your roof. It's not your fault.

3cats · 30/05/2020 07:13

That's great to hear!! Love the dog scarf too.