A capable young chef recently met with local anger and disapproval after a presumptuous neighbor berated him for sleeping in and demanded he help fix her sink, so he told her to get lost. Here’s what transpired.
His New Neighbors Seemed Friendly
The man began, “I quite recently, a few months ago to be exact, moved into a house in the suburbs of a large town.”
From the beginning of life in his new residence, he noticed the sociable nature of his neighbors. Eager introductions came his way, initially seeming like welcoming gestures, and he took them as an encouraging sign.
He Wasn’t The Norm
The young man, single and in his late 20s, noted the unique demographic apparent in his neighborhood: about 50% were affluent single mothers, 40% were elderly residents, and the remaining 10% were regular families.
Given his current life stage, he couldn’t help but feel a bit out of place.
However, the house’s charm, its reasonable price, and its proximity to his workplace made the move worthwhile, and he had no regrets.
He Was Asked For Help
One day, a nearby single mom sought his help for a plumbing issue—her toilet wouldn’t flush, and she was wary of calling in a professional due to pandemic concerns.
Wanting to be a good neighbor, he agreed to try and assist her. After a successful plumbing operation, he left with her thanks and then thought no more of it.
A Pattern Emerged
Yet, soon after, another neighbor, this time an elderly woman, approached the man, seeking assistance with a tree in her yard. She wondered if he wouldn’t mind sawing off some of the more troublesome branches.
Having the time, he thought, “Why not?” and again agreed to help out.
It Got Out of Control
However, these seemingly innocent requests soon snowballed into a cascade of tasks. From minor chores like shifting garden rocks to more daunting tasks such as building sheds and treehouses (the latter he declined), the young neighbor found himself in demand.
It was as though the neighborhood had unofficially and unilaterally deemed him their on-call handyman.
He Worked Anti-Social Hours
Despite the threat of COVID and associated restaurant closures, the man had retained his job as a chef in a nearby food joint.
“I generally work late afternoons, evenings, and sometimes into the night; this means my sleeping schedule is a bit messy. I still have my job, but most of it is just delivery orders and pickups now,” he explained.
He Was Woken Up
One day, after a particularly grueling shift, sleep eluded him until the early hours of the morning, and it was around two in the morning when he finally dozed off on his living room couch.
His slumber was rudely interrupted at 11 a.m. by an irate neighbor pounding on his window, leading to his dog barking loudly. Pulled abruptly from a deep sleep, he went to see who was knocking so insistently.
She Was Rude
Upon answering the door, the homeowner was met by a female neighbor who immediately scolded him for his “laziness” in still being asleep at that hour and demanded he come to fix her sink at once.
Angry and tired, the chef had reached his limit. He bluntly refused her request and told her in no uncertain words to “get lost.” In his agitated state, he said a choice word he soon regretted.
They Disapproved
Unfortunately, news of the altercation got out, and many residents weren’t shy in expressing their disapproval. The man now suffers a chilly reception whenever he encounters a neighbor on the street.
The once-welcoming community now threw him disapproving glances and openly rebuked him for his “disrespectful” behavior.
Was He Out Of Line?
The young man, who’d hoped for a peaceful existence in his new home, now grappled with guilt over his harsh reaction but felt his anger was justified given the unforgivably insulting and presumptuous way he’d been summoned to help.
Feeling the weight of unfair expectations, he took to the internet to tell his story and ask other users what they thought of his behavior. Was he wrong to lose his temper? Or justified?
Internet Users Responded
One poster opined, “NTA, but next time someone speaks to you about this, inform them that it’s extremely rude to bang on someone’s window because you feel entitled to their time and labor for free. I doubt that they know the whole story.”
Another agreed, “NTA—and these people are out of their minds. Remember, no one can take advantage of you unless you let them.”
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