My neighbor across the street asked to borrow my lawn mower last Saturday because his machine broke down mid way through his yard work
I told him no because I had just finished sharpening the blades and I am very particular about how the machine is handled
He became visibly upset and said that neighbors should help each other out especially when it is a small favor that costs me nothing
He pointed out that his grass is now half cut and looks terrible which makes the whole street look messy
I feel like a jerk because I could have easily said yes and it would have helped him finish his chores in twenty minutes
I am worried that I am being overly protective of a piece of equipment and valuing a tool more than a good relationship with a person who lives twenty feet away from me
I also know that he is usually a responsible person and likely would have returned it in the same condition
However I still feel that I have the right to say no to lending out my expensive tools to anyone for any reason
AITA
He had a right to ask and you had a right to refuse. Just don’t be surprised if you need something someday and the answer is no. NAH
“I’m really fussy about loaning out my stuff, but hey, let me finish mowing that for you tomorrow and that’ll give you time to get yours fixed before you need to mow again.” That would be neighborly and solving a problem while stating your boundaries and making a suggestion for him to fix his lawnmower. You are NTA but you could have been kinder.
Yeah. Be a good neighbor and finish the mow yourself if you can’t bear to loan yours. You really don’t know how he’d treat your belonging, but it is a good idea to build good community where you can.
NTA because it’s your mower and you get to decide whether to lend it or not. But you’re sort of an idiot for choosing this hill to die on. Think this through. You say yourself that your neighbor is responsible and that it was a very small area to be mown. You might need a favor from him sometime and now he will not be inclined to help you. You should go apologize. Then spend some time thinking about the source of your discomfort.
NAH. I think generally neighbors should help each other but I would also worry about someone using a machine that may be hard to replace due to cost. I would probably have finished his lawn for him in this case.
You’re not an AH for not lending your stuff but you’re limiting your community.
Mow it yourself.
well, another option was to go cut it for him. sometimes you say yes because it is the right thing to do
Two correct options here are to let him borrow the mower or if you are so particular finish the small job yourself and be a good neighbor. If you are not going to be a good neighbor expect the same in return.
NAH, I suppose? If you wanted to be really kind, you could take that 20 mins and do it for him. Then you know your lawnmower is being cared for how you want, and you’re also helping your neighbor.
YTA, you could have offered to mow it for him if you’re so in love with your lawn mower.
NAH
I mean he’s definitely not the A for asking a neighbor for a simple neighborly favor. But he’s not entitled to use your equipment. I would just not expect any of your neighbors to come to your aide when the time comes. Everyone wants a village but no one wants to be a villager.
NTA. I get that you are protective of your equipment, i am as well. Is there a reason why you didnt offer to finish his lawn for him? 20 mins of your time would pay back dividends in good will for years to come.
How big is his lawn? Maybe you could have looked like a hero and spent an hour helping a neighbor out.? Just asking.
SO GO OVER THERE AND MOW HIS LAWN.
Brother…
Please…
You don’t owe this man everything, but he came to you in a time of need and your only reason to not help is you are worried about damage done to your equipment.
Then you should have no quams helping a brother out and mowing his lawn for him right?
It’s not like he is asking you to do it every week, this was a one time emergency thing.
He reached out with a bid for a relationship with his neighbour, and you essentially swatted it out of the air and told him to pound sand…
You can easily make up for the resentment you are starting to brew in your neighborhood by going over there, and asking if it would be okay if you mowed the lawn for him. You can explain exactly as you did previously that you were worried about your equipment but also want to lend a hand and be neighborly.
You don’t have to, but if the other neighbour is friendly to everyone on the block and you just made him an enemy, you will deeply regret it down the line as gossip spreads.
Your not the ahole, you don’t owe anybody anything, but it costs nothing to be nice and lend a hand.
nta