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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

cheeky or am I being precious?

104 replies

elephanys · 09/05/2023 15:15

Neighbour asked to borrow our mower… they have a reasonable size lawn and apparently theirs has broken and they are ‘in the process’ of sorting a new one.

OP posts:
strawberry2017 · 09/05/2023 17:46

Precious unless there is more to this.

redskylight · 09/05/2023 17:46

It worries me that people have lost the concept of "normal" behaviour so that they have to ask on the internet.

If you're happy to lend it then do so, otherwise say "no". But it's a perfectly normal request. Unless he has form for always borrowing stuff and not giving it back or breaking it.

EpicChaos · 09/05/2023 17:48

@IncompleteSenten
" I have another neighbour I wouldn't lend a teaspoon of salt. "

Good!

No ' lending ' of salt, it's bad luck, you have to sell it, even if it's just for a penny.
lol

Sistanotcista · 09/05/2023 17:49

redskylight · 09/05/2023 17:46

It worries me that people have lost the concept of "normal" behaviour so that they have to ask on the internet.

If you're happy to lend it then do so, otherwise say "no". But it's a perfectly normal request. Unless he has form for always borrowing stuff and not giving it back or breaking it.

Exactly this. It's not difficult.

It's also not an unreasonable request from them. But by all means say "No" if you're unhappy with it.

SallyWD · 09/05/2023 17:49

Our neighbours always help us out and vice versa. This doesn't seem cheeky to me. I was going to ask to borrow my neighbour's strimmer

Thepeopleversuswork · 09/05/2023 17:50

You're being precious. Absolutely normal to lend/borrow stuff like this, a neighbourly person wouldn't bat an eyelid. It's the sort of thing which is non essential and hard to justify replacing if you're skint.

Also it's absolutely no skin off your nose to lend it: I can't see why anyone would have a problem with that.

uberemma · 09/05/2023 17:52

This sounds like a lot of drama over a simple request.

Divorcedalongtime · 09/05/2023 17:52

Fine to ask, fine for you to refuse.

TrashyPanda · 09/05/2023 17:54

What exactly is your issue with this normal request?

SugarCraving · 09/05/2023 17:55

Depends on the neighbours. We have great neighbours and I would be more than happy to help.

But I remember when I was younger we had CF living next door. They never brought a lawn mower, always borrowed garden equipment from someone in the area. The last time they borrowed ours it was returned with a broken blade and covered on dog poo.

Paperlate · 09/05/2023 17:55

Did the OP want a thread full of she's a CF replies? Maybe the OP wanted lots of composed text to send to the CF NDN full of 'henceforths' and 'forthwiths'.

TheKobayashiMaru · 09/05/2023 18:10

Why would it be an issue?

Moveoverdarlin · 09/05/2023 18:15

Our mower broke this weekend, we were throwing a party / BBQ for all our neighbours for the coronation so our friend got in the car, whizzed around and lent us his. Yes B&Q and Argos were open but my DH wants an all singing, all dancing one that local shops don’t stock. The last one he bought was a B&Q job and it last 2 years.

I think this is a normal, neighbourly request. He’s only a CF if he borrows it, breaks it and gives it back with no apology.

Justalittlebitduckling · 09/05/2023 18:19

It’s really sad that modern life is so insular that this (with just the information you’ve given) could be seen as CF rather than neighbourly. Don’t you want to participate in your local community at all?

Throwncrumbs · 09/05/2023 18:27

krustykittens · 09/05/2023 16:12

Depends if there is a back story. We once asked to borrow a neighbour's mower as ours had broken. She refused, saying they were expensive and she didn't want to fall out if something happened to it. Fair enough. We replaced ours and then HER mower broke down and she asked to borrow ours. We refused, saying on reflection her reasoning was correct and we also didn't want to fall out over a mower. She was very offended!

😂

Modda · 09/05/2023 19:10

It's a lawnmower not a toothbrush.

FiveShelties · 09/05/2023 22:56

Another 'post and run' thread.

PoseyFlump · 10/05/2023 08:02

FiveShelties · 09/05/2023 22:56

Another 'post and run' thread.

Yeah. Too many on here these days, getting right annoying. Must be hard to come back and answer questions if you're making it all up.

Theblacksheepandme · 10/05/2023 13:10

TheShellBeach · 09/05/2023 16:33

That generally refers to money, though.

Show quote history

I am aware that it is a Shakespeare quote referring to money but I apply it to everything.

Bellaboo01 · 10/05/2023 13:14

elephanys · 09/05/2023 15:15

Neighbour asked to borrow our mower… they have a reasonable size lawn and apparently theirs has broken and they are ‘in the process’ of sorting a new one.

I wouldnt class this as cheeky at all.

We have elderly neighbours and we - put their bins out, mow their lawn for them (they don't ask but, they are grateful).

Out of interest why would it occur to you that this is a cheeky request?

Bellaboo01 · 10/05/2023 13:20

RowenaRosewood · 09/05/2023 16:52

THIS ^

and to the pp who mows their neighbours grass without them asking, please don’t. You’d get an earful from me if you mowed my lawn when I hadn’t asked especially during #NoMowMay 🐝 🦋 🌸

Show quote history

My neighbours are VERY thankful that we do this for them.

Meeting · 10/05/2023 13:22

Perhaps ask yourself if your life will be inconvenienced at all by this

JulieHoney · 10/05/2023 13:26

"In the process of" could well mean "needs another couple of pay days to cover an unexpected expense."

You'd have to be pretty mean-spirited not to loan a lawn mower, unless there's a massive dripfeed coming.

Ponderingwindow · 10/05/2023 13:31

Grass needs to be mowed on a schedule, during neighborly hours, and when you have a block of time to complete the task. It isn’t the most forgiving job and finding out your mower is broken might not lead to you being able to replace the mower and complete the task in your available window. Asking the neighbor for help is perfectly reasonable.

It’s not like you want to be next door to an unkempt garden, so you have an incentive to help out.

BigglyBee · 10/05/2023 20:27

Ponderingwindow · 10/05/2023 13:31

Grass needs to be mowed on a schedule, during neighborly hours, and when you have a block of time to complete the task. It isn’t the most forgiving job and finding out your mower is broken might not lead to you being able to replace the mower and complete the task in your available window. Asking the neighbor for help is perfectly reasonable.

It’s not like you want to be next door to an unkempt garden, so you have an incentive to help out.

Wow, I'm slightly scared of you now! It doesn't help that I read that in my father's best Sergeant Major parade ground voice!

Isn't the fashion more for less formal lawns these days, with longer grass and wildflowers allowed to thrive?

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