If half the gate was closed would you open it to drive through?

[pontipinemum]

This morning I closed half the gate (standard swing gate that meets in the middle). We have a cattle grid and to get the other half you need to walk over it. Yes only 30seconds work but I didn't do it.

I do this a lot, as DH is in and out a few time a day and will leave the jeep at the gate. Or I have to go out I only need to re-open half the gate.

I let my dog out, who is old and can't hear well, hence I close the gate (partly). We live on a farm in the middle of nowhere so very little comes down our road.

Post man opened the gate and drove through. I caught dog before he heard him.

I asked in future if the gate is closed can he please not drive in, I had seen him and was talking to the gate. He was a bit shrug "it was only half closed".

What would you do in this situation, if the person you were calling to was not expecting you.

YABU - Half closed does not mean don't drive in. I would open the half gate and drive in

YANBU - The gate was blocked so I would stop and get out of my car and walk in (approx 10 meters to door)

I couldn’t raise the cheek to tell a postman off for trying to do their job.

I’ve also seen many dogs walk successfully over cattle grids. So they can’t be expected to know your open gate = loose pet. Perhaps set up a safe dog run to put him in if you’re that worried.

Put a sign up and get a box on the gate or how can you expect people to know what you want?

I think you need a sign. 'Deaf dog. Please do not drive onto the property if the gate is closed.'.

@EarringsandLipstick we are about a 1/2 mile separate to the main house different eircode etc. We don't often get ILs post or the other way around but we get a lot of post for DHs cousins. We all have the same surname and live in the same townland so it's understandable. But the main post lady in the shop knows absolutely everyone and what they are up to. You often see little notes on the letters about which Pontipine family to go to '2nd after bad bridge' sort of thing

The postman has been, the gate was open because the dog is inside. He posted the letters in the letter box that I do have at the gate.

Yes it is purely worry over what might happy my little old dog. I have a brightly coloured box right by the postbox with a laminated sign saying 'parcels' so if the dog is out I will close the gates. The post man wants to do his job as quickly as possible so I am sure will use the box. I didn't give out to him.

I am nice to them I promise. I've told them all if they get caught for the loo they are welcome to use mine (after 1 mentioned it can be difficult on such a rural route) give them cold cans of drink on very hot days. I don't go yelling at the post people

As I said before, no post woman/man is a mind readers but OP, you could help them with that.
Put up a large sign saying. PLEASE CLOSE GATE ON ENTRY & EXIT

Job done

@DistingusedSocialCommentator I've lived in this house for 9 years. This was the first time someone opened the shut gate (even half of it) to drive through. I don't expect them to be mind readers, but I do expect like most people they will choose the easiest option. If the gates are closed and there is a bright blue box right beside the letter box with the word 'PARCELS' written on it, they will do that. Instead of opening the shut gates, getting back into their van, driving 10m, getting out of the van, dropping parcel, then going back out and closing the gate again - although postie didn't close it again yesterday.

One courier, (gates open or shut) sits at the drive and blows his horn until I come out so not sure how many signs I will end up with if I need one for every possibility. Because I'll need one for other dogs too.

@ZetuianRose I do have that problem some of the bigger dogs that are walked on my road (it's a lovely quiet/safe road and people from town park and walk it) like to come in and mark the territory which really annoys my dog and me!

@pontipinemum

Your dog is very sweet 😍

Clearly more needs to be done,