TxAgJeepr Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 Had a run in with the neighbor Sunday morning and I've been stewing on this ever since. I finally decided that it takes a village to raise an Idiot so feel free to weigh in. A little background... Saturday I take my oldest boy and a friend's son fishing (they're in town visiting and staying with us). The weather here has been really great so the top was off of my Jeep. We get back around 1830 or so, I back my Jeep into the driveway (which I never do) and herd the kids in for the night. Normally, I put the cab cover on if it looks like rain but since there wasn't a cloud in the sky, I didn't. I roll out Sunday morining to go get the rods, tackle box, and empty soda cans out of my Jeep so the wife and her friend can take the oldest kids to a water park for the day. When I get out on the front porch I see the side walk, my driveway, and the yard are wet. My first thought is to never again trust the weatherman, but lo and behold, it's only wet in front of my house and my neighbors and the sprinkler (one of those that goes back and forth in a wide arc) still dripping. We currently reside in a town house and this neighbor and us share a yard (more like a flower bed and some grass, but you get my drift). Being more than a little annoyed, I head over to my Jeep to survey the damage, Seats soaked, carpet soaked, water dripping out of the steering column. Now I'm a little more than annoyed. I head back into the house to tell the wife she's not taking the Jeep, that the neighbors sprinkler had flooded it, that I was going next door to ask that he move the sprinkler, and if she hears a thump on the porch to call 911. Wife's parting words to me as I head out the door are to maintain control. I ring the doorbell and the neighbor answers. I very succintly and curtly ask the neighbor if he would mind moving the sprinkler so that it doesn't water our cars in the future, say thanks, and turn to walk away. I'm still more than a little miffed that I'm about to spend the next couple of hours pulling out seats, carpet, drying them, and putting all that back in, but I do not raise my voice, point fingers, or threaten this dude, but like I said, I'm not engaging in a conversation either. As I go to walk away, he tells me "lets talk about this" I'm really not in the mood to talk so I tell him. No, I don't want to talk right now, I've got things to do. He proceeds to follow me into the yard while I'm pulling my gear out of the Jeep and putting it in the garage. Every time he says let's talk, I respond with No or I'm not in the mood to talk right now. This goes on for a couple of minutes and ends with him telling me "you have issues and you're an a-h" and storms back to his house. Now, when this comes out of his mouth, I'm thinking throat, knee, hand, twist, snap, crackle, pop. Instead, I take a deep breath, shake my head, and go in the house. I really don't dislike the guy, I guess. I haven't gone out of my way in the past to engage him in conversation other than if we're both outside, or see each other in passing. I did see him this morning as he was heading to his car, no good morining, hello, kiss my 4th point of contact, nothing. I just shook my head and waved. Yes, I used all 5 fingers. We've still got another year here and I don't want to be the guy that no one in the neighborhood likes (very small neighborhood and they gossip horribly). It's times like this I really miss living on the installation, but that's a hole 'nother discussion. There have been a couple of other things with this guy, but none really apply to this little issue so they're not really relevant. I just chalked them up to people from Jersey being people from Jersey. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and go talk to this guy, now that I've had a chance to cool down a bit, but I want to get yalls take on this first. Thanks for letting me vent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 I would be upset also, but I can see both sides of this one! I would go and talk to him and accept the fact that the watering of the jeep is past history! Can't change that on, but would surely ask him not to water if it would get your vehicles wet! See what his reaction would be! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 That's the best thing to do is to go talk to the guy, he should have been more careful watching where the water was spraying out of his sprinkler. Just tell him you realize it was a mistake, and to just keep an eye on it from now on. It's nothing big enough to raise a huge brawl over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccwhitey Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 I agree with OJR and Shaun thats is better to talk that to have a neighborhood brawl. Great job keeping your cool;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 I can see why you were plenty ticked, and understand, why you didn't want to engage in a conversation, knowing how riled up you already were...but...I'm sure your neighbor didn't soak your vehicle on purpose. Now that it's past, and you've calmed down, it wouldn't be such a bad thing as to at least give him an ear (instead of an earful) just to keep the peace. JMHO;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sureshot Posted June 24, 2008 Report Share Posted June 24, 2008 the way it sounds he well knew it was wetting your jeep, if he did not he would of been oppologizing all the way, I am not the type to forget to easilly, if it was a accident so be it easy to forget and forgive if not I would have a friendly chat explaining this is not a good thing to do!! A few years back a neighbor of mine cut down 1/2 my apple tree becouse it had a few branches over the fence, no big deal if they would of asked permission to come in my yard and do it I would of helped trim it, instead it was butchered, he knew well it was going to tick me off,[all becouse I told his kid I was going to put his car sterio somewere one night at 2 am, ] A coupel of weeks later I was spraying weeds in my back yard and accidently the overspray got on his garden through the fence, wind really got up when I was spraying, been about 5 years now and no problem, we never say a word but its the way i like it best! I am not saying vigalante justice I am just saying if he did it on purpose it will continue unless confronted! JMO!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 Well if you are in base housing, then it doesn't surprise me at all. That's just how base housing is. If your out in town among the community, I would of done more than you. It's inconsiderate...bottom line. It's like when people allow dogs to crap in your yard, it's inconsiderate. Now if he didn't realize that he was getting your car wet, that's one thing. But even if he didn't realize it, when you told him about it, a normal person would have been apologetic and willing to do what needed to be done to fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I agree with OJR and Shaun thats is better to talk that to have a neighborhood brawl. Great job keeping your cool;) yep:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob LeBlanc Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 Next time it happens... Put on your bathing suit...walk over and pick up the sprinkler...and put it where it waters down HIS vehicle, or front door or whatever. IF it happens a next time, Put on your Realtree camo...belly crawl across the property, Kabar in teeth...and cut the darn hose !! ...Problem solved... Bob:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 While Bob has the most amusing solution. I have to agree Orlan & Shaun. Go talk with the guy and explain that at the time you were not ready to talk to him but now you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I would've whooped his...........no, just kiddin'! I would be extremely upset also, if you think you are vented enough to talk with him then talk with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
preacherman Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 I think the best thing to do, is what was done. You went and allowed him to know that you were not happy and walked away. He is the one with issues; not you. I would have been pretty upset as well; but brawling only makes things worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 Take your Jeep to the detail shop, then send him the bill. The guy is obviously either A. clueless, or B. a total jerk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxAgJeepr Posted June 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 Update I walked out this morning and the sprinkler was moved. But just enough so that only the running boards got wet on the wife's vehicle. Thanks for confirming my best Course of Action. I'll walk over and have a civilized chat with the neighbor, tell him I appreciate him moving the sprinkler, then suggest maybe he move it another foot, since I plan on detailing her car this weekend. In all sincerity, I wouldn't whup his ... anyway, It might make me feel better but I don't feel like doing all the paperwork that would come along with it. I've learned as I've gotten older it's much better and easier to make the other guy look like a fool and live with himself than to pound the crap out of him and you be the bad guy. Whoosah (rub ears) Whoosah (rub ears). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 Fighting only proves one thing, that at least one individual in the fight (usually the one who starts it) is very immature. My suggestion was only a mere joke. You've done the right thing by far. Hope everything works out for ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativetexan Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 Ahhh yes. People from Jersey. I have one of those next door to me. The guy is a freak and scares my wife. LOOONG story. We're having a problem with him right now because of my dogs. He'll stand at the fence and agitate my Australian Shepherd and then come knocking on the door and complain that the dog is mean and is barking incessantly. I've caught him doing this more than once. Anyway, you did exactly what I would have done. People are just inconsiderate as can be these days...They only care about what is right in front of them. The old saying goes "Good fences make good neighbors" but I think it should be changed to match the times "Good 10 ft concrete walls, razor wire, and electricity make good neighbors." I've had more bad experiences with neighbors than I care to count. I'm considering a moat with alligators and pirahna's, and some sort of laser guided weaponry system for the roof. I can't wait to retire out of the military and move out to the south west Virginia countryside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Blade Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 Dont ya just love those type of neighbors:mad:.............I have a few around here that I would like to get rid of......Got one strung out sex offender,,And couple of others that deal in dope,,They all kind of run in a little pack or their own and will steal the stripes off a zebra......I dont talk to them they dont talk to me and we get along just fine that way...........My aunt told me that while I was at work last Saturday they all threw them a little party the one thats the sex offender screamed out that he wasnt afraid of anyone around here that everyone around here was afraid of him:rolleyes:Which to a point he is right,,All of the parents around here that have young kids dont like him but I wouldnt say they are afraid of him and I cant blame them for not liking him I dont like the sob either......I told my aunt that it takes more than those tattoos he has got to scare me as long as he dont bother me I wont bother him;)We'll get along just fine that way.............But just give me one little reason;),,,,,,,,,, :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 I can see why you were plenty ticked, and understand, why you didn't want to engage in a conversation, knowing how riled up you already were...but...I'm sure your neighbor didn't soak your vehicle on purpose. Now that it's past, and you've calmed down, it wouldn't be such a bad thing as to at least give him an ear (instead of an earful) just to keep the peace. JMHO;) I agree....tell him you were quite upset at the time, and had chose not to talk right then as you did not want to say something that was only out of anger. Tell him it bothers you, but that you are willing to look past it as you need to be neighbors for another year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lauri Jo Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 Considering I am originally from Jersey, I have a hard time understanding why you would say something like that. LOL At any rate, I understand the whole sharing of the yard thing-it is really hard to express yourself in the heat of anger, so I applaud you for keeping your cool. I think your neighbor would understand your feeling on the matter once it is put out in front of him. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricfirefighter Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 gotta love neighbors lol mine grabed my g/f one day and tried to hit on her. needless to say i didn't handle it the "right way" i went over to there house and told him call an ambulance next time because i was going to break every bone in his body. he is now a good neighbor, he is so scared of me if he is outside when i come home he goes inside or leaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted June 28, 2008 Report Share Posted June 28, 2008 I think you should have waited until you were a little more calm to talk to the guy. I mean you went over and started a one way conversation with the guy. Then walk away when he would like to explain or say something. If you waited until you were calm perhaps this could have been easier and you may have come out with a better outcome. But now there is alot of tension there. So the end result will be one of several options. 1 you talk and all is ok "and could have if you were calm" 2 you guys are enemeys "im sure he dosnt want or you" 3 you guys talk and still dont agree then maybe its time to get mad?? what do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted June 29, 2008 Report Share Posted June 29, 2008 go to www.rottenneighbor.com It's where you can rant about your neighbor. and hear other rants as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxAgJeepr Posted June 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2008 Issue Resolved Me, the wife, the neighbor, and his wife met on the front porch the other night and ended up putting this to bed over a couple of Corona's. I admitted that "direct engagement" immediately after finding out probably wasn't the best course of action at the time. He admitted he was wrong for not checking the sprinkler. We both decided that we handled it wrong and decided that we're both a-holes, but now that we both know this, things seem to be getting better. thanks for all your input. I couldn't open the website you listed Buckee. Stupid firewall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Cool all is well! I think the one of the last people I would want to have problems with are my neighbors. Gotta watch each others back you know. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 glad it worked out. but corona's???? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.