Neighbor wanted to help

[37 chief]

One of my neighbors has a lot of wood, problem is it is all big chunks from large trees. If I can get in my pickup I slide it out on my cutting A frame, and get it cut down to size, and then carry it to the splitter. I am struggling to load these large pieces in my pickup. The other neighbor comes up with his JD, and it has a bucket. He askes me if I want him to help load the pieces. first words out of my mouth are no, I am doing ok. He finally talked me into letting him load the big chunks. I don't know why I am so darn stubborn. It may be my Norwegian, German ancestry who knows, or maybe I have been doing things so long by my self, and no one else can do it right. I will help anyone any time if asked. Anyway I am glad he showed up with the JD. Anyone else get a stubborn streak sometimes? Stan

 

[Phil-mar Farms]

My sons and I butted heads over a recent project and I think we have it figured out. From our work experience we are all used to being the boss. All chiefs and No indians doesnt make a happy tribe

 

[stevieb49829]

It's the independent Swede (and German) in me. I have to sit down and think of what the other folks are thinking. They want to help, just like you do. They may get offended if you say no. I know all about doing it 'my way'!!! Most of the time, it's best to graciously accept the helping hand. steve

 

[Wheat47]

I noted your comment about always working alone. Me, too.
I like to have the company around, but you do your job and I'll do mine.
If I need help, I'll call you, and you do the same.
Boss gave me a partner/helper/trainee. Only way I could teach him: This is what your gonna do,
watch for something to hurt you, this how I would do it, here's the tricks I know,
if you have a better idea, go for it, if you have trouble, come and get me.
Then I'd leave. If I stayed, I did it myself and he didn't learn anything.
I'd walk by once in a while to see how he was doing, maybe make a suggestion or two, and leave him be.
He turned out to be a good hand. But then he was a farm boy just like me, so we understood each other.
At 76 I still like to work alone but like to have company around. Guess that's why I liked driving truck,
being a field mechanic for implement dealers, doing field work (plowing cultivating, etc.).
When the neighbor works cattle he puts me back in the alley, behind the cattle, gently pushing them in the tub.
All by myself. Love it back there!!!!

 

[paul]

A landscape business (1-3 people family deal....) gets rock from our rock pile every 5-10 years for a project of theirs.

They wanted stuff they could just move sort of lift by hand.

I set my small loader there on their second trip I offered to help get the rock in their mid sized dump truck.

They started out a little hesitant. I said you still pick out the rock, roll in the bucket, Ill lift it up level with your truck floor and roll the bucket down not dropping the rock in.

After 6 rocks they were really happy with how the process worked, and that I was careful of their truck, and they still only got the size rock they wanted. Just didnt have to lift them chest high to get in the truck!

They got 2 more loads, I think they thought it would have been an extra trip or two loading by hand they just couldn't fill the truck. So they were pretty happy. They even got rock a few dozen lbs heavier, as they could roll and move the rock dumping them off.

I could see my help going badly if my considerations werent kept to tho, and understood their hesitation.

I was happy to make room for more rock.

Paul

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I thought you were going to end the story by saying you relented, and then the helper damaged your truck, or some other bad thing happened.
I'm glad it worked out well for you.

 

[Tony in SD]

I used to be the one helping with heavy lifting. But now if someone asks if I need help, at 67 I gladly accept it.

 

[farmerjohn]

I was taught a long time ago, if somebody wants to give you something or do something for you and you refuse, you are robbing from them the blessing of being helpful and kind. I always think about this when somebody offers me something, and most of the time accept the gift.

 

[Bruce from Can.]

Theres nothing like letting a machine do the heavy lifting. Several years ago two fellas I didnt know showed up one sunny spring morning, wanting to buy two pickup truck loads of manure for their gardens. They were a father and son team. I showed them the manure pile and told them $5 dollars if they load it, $10.00 if I load it. The old dad smiled and passed me the 5 bucks, and they started in, and the sun shone bright and hot. Just afternoon they arrived back for the second load. The son passed me a ten dollar bill and asked me to put on the second load. And we all had a great laugh !!

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

(quoted from post at 21:05:45 02/06/23) Anyone else get a stubborn streak sometimes?

That's like asking, "Does a bear... poop... in the woods?" with this group.

 

[Richard G.]

So glad you got the help.
I help certain friends, but when doing something for myself, I like working alone.

 

[Steve@Advance]

I'm the same way, very hesitant to accept help, usually because the help offered turns into more hindrance than help.

But here lately I have been faced with the reality that there are lots of things I can no longer do, like heavy lifting, climbing, etc. Still, it's near impossible for me to try to explain how to do something to someone who really isn't interested!

Every now and then I will come across someone I click with, that genuinely wants to help and learn, but they are few and far between!

 

[rrlund]

For me it would be that too many times people have asked ''want some help?'', then when we're done, they tell me I owe them money for it. Usually whatever they make an hour at their day job.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

 

[RBnWA]

I'm a loner. Don't mind working by myself. One way or the other I'll get it done. There's times in the shop it would be nice to have a little help but I getter done alone. RB

 

[miangus]

When I was a kid Dad used to sell straw. A construction company sent two guys with a ton flatbed to pick up straw to cover concrete. I opened the pole barn door and helped them back in. They loaded the truck pulled out the door and about a third of the bales fell off. I told them let me load it so it will stay on and proceeded to stack it like I was taught to stack behind the baler. They paid for the straw and gave me ten bucks for stacking it. I am 72 years old, and I was about 13 then. So those of you may age know how much money that was. The next time they still came with two guys, but they let me load the truck. I was a little disappointed that they had all they needed with that load. They were also paying 50 cents per bale when straw was going for about 25 cents. Dad let me keep the 20 bucks.

 

[redforlife]

I'm not as stubborn about that as I use to be. I use to be pretty particular about doing it myself so that I knew it got done right and what not. That, and I always figured I couldn't afford to hire things done. Always figured you should atleast offer to pay, even if it's just a friend that is just offering to help you out.

But, ... being this way led to some projects getting really procrastinated. Like as in, the projects that I lacked the resources to do. I'm going to do this, when I get that. Or do that, when I get this. Getting this or that to do it, sometimes would be way down the road. The project just getting delayed until that happened.

I'm not as particular about being helped as I use to be. But, .. that's not all roses either. I got 2 or 3 friends that don't mind me helping them. But when I need it in return, they never seem to have any time or even want to do it. A couple others see it as an opportunity to make some money, and seem to want to overcharge (gouge) you for thier time/services.

I guess I have seen the ups and downs of both sides of the spectrum. But no, I'm not as stubborn about it as I use to be.

For what it's worth, I do think we are living in a society today where fewer people are willing to lend a helping hand. Whether that be friend, neighbor, or stranger. I think if a guy had a flat tire along the side of the road today, more people would just drive right on by than 25 years ago. And many of the ones that would actually stop today, would just offer to let you use thier cell phone. Like that would be alot of help beings they can see you already got one of those in your hand.

 

[Bonnan]

Took me a long time to realize this. My boy lectured me one time when I refused help.

 

[Jim in LA]

I dont see any Charmin.

 

[lenray]

I offered to store help load that piece of equipment You were looking at my neighbors auction here in Clare..Never would take pay for something like that..