Neighbors can be a wonderful thing—if you’re lucky. But many also have bad experiences. Sometimes you come across neighbors that really make you shake your head. If anyone wants, they can share their story here. Let’s see who takes the crown. Here’s my rather short story:
My company is located right in the middle of a residential area—it’s a retail shop. On Monday mornings, the garbage collectors come by. And I mean really early—often before 7 a.m. This is a problem for me. I can’t easily put the bin out on the sidewalk on Friday because it would sit there all weekend smelling bad on the promenade. But on Mondays, I usually get to work around 8 a.m.—by then they have already come through. So, I talked to them about how to solve this. The solution was: please place the bins on the sidewalk across the street because they only come to that side around 9 a.m. A perfect solution—so that’s what I did!
Recently, my neighbor from across the street came to my door and told me that I’m not allowed to put my bin out there for collection—it belongs on the other side of the street. (We’re talking about about 2 hours where the bin waits for pickup.) I explained the situation to him—but no, he insisted the bin belongs on the other side. I asked him what his specific problem was. “The bin has to be on the other side.”
I was quite puzzled by this repetitive statement. He then said he would complain—where, he did not say. After trying for the umpteenth time to get him to have a reasonable conversation, I had to give up due to lack of time, leaving him with the words, “That’s nonsense—do whatever you want!” Very unprofessional, I know.
My company is located right in the middle of a residential area—it’s a retail shop. On Monday mornings, the garbage collectors come by. And I mean really early—often before 7 a.m. This is a problem for me. I can’t easily put the bin out on the sidewalk on Friday because it would sit there all weekend smelling bad on the promenade. But on Mondays, I usually get to work around 8 a.m.—by then they have already come through. So, I talked to them about how to solve this. The solution was: please place the bins on the sidewalk across the street because they only come to that side around 9 a.m. A perfect solution—so that’s what I did!
Recently, my neighbor from across the street came to my door and told me that I’m not allowed to put my bin out there for collection—it belongs on the other side of the street. (We’re talking about about 2 hours where the bin waits for pickup.) I explained the situation to him—but no, he insisted the bin belongs on the other side. I asked him what his specific problem was. “The bin has to be on the other side.”
I was quite puzzled by this repetitive statement. He then said he would complain—where, he did not say. After trying for the umpteenth time to get him to have a reasonable conversation, I had to give up due to lack of time, leaving him with the words, “That’s nonsense—do whatever you want!” Very unprofessional, I know.
HilfeHilfe schrieb:
V... If someone just placed their bin in front of my house without asking, I’d be annoyed too. Public land or not; I paid for the street, and I at least want to be asked. I might need to add something here. It’s not just that one guy’s bin on the side of the street. There are several bins lined up—maybe around four or so. And at the next house, which is only 3m (10 feet) away, there’s another group. The street is full of bins from one end to the other on that day. And I’m sure none of those people paid anything for the street. But I’ve thought about possibly writing him another letter to explain the situation.kaho674 schrieb:
I might need to add something. There isn’t just one bin of that particular guy on the street. There are several bins side by side—maybe around four. And at the next house, which is only 3m (10 feet) away, there’s another row. The street is full of bins that day. And he definitely didn’t pay anything for the street.
But I was thinking maybe I’ll write him another letter explaining the situation.Since you ended the conversation, how about a face-to-face talk instead of a letter?
In my experience, if you acknowledge the other person’s point, admit your mistake, the other side is usually more accepting. Insisting only on “being right” often comes across badly and leads to escalation. Everyone speaks a different language, but people tend to respond more calmly to an apology.
I recently read somewhere: Being right is one thing, enforcing your right is another.
H
HilfeHilfe23 Oct 2017 21:07kaho674 schrieb:
I might need to add something. On that street, there’s not just the bin of that particular guy. There are multiple bins side by side—maybe around four. And at the next house, which is only 3 meters (10 feet) away, there’s another set of bins. The street is full of bins from one end to the other on that day. And he definitely hasn’t paid anything for the street.
But I’ve been thinking maybe I’ll write him another letter explaining the situation.Then I’m not surprised the “bad guy” is annoyed that every business owner who wants to sleep in late is leaving their bins in front of his house.
I’d be irritated too.