Neighbor wanted to help

[Gary Mitchell]

Yeah, I get satisfaction out of doing it myself. gm

 

[Fred Werring]

If someone helps me, I figure I owe them a favor. Even if I've helped them before.
And I worry I won't be able repay it when needed.
And I hate owing anybody anything...money, time, favors, whatever.
Don't know what makes me this way, but I am.

 

[rrlund]

I know you would have done it free Leonard. Scott loaded it and I got it home that day in one trip.

I'll offer to pay somebody, but when somebody asks, and I quote, ''Want some help'', then a few hours in says something like ''I get $13 an hour'', it kinda ticks me off. It's happened with two people. They didn't ask if I wanted to hire them, they just saw me working and offered to help.

I helped a guy move one time and never expected anything for it. After I wouldn't take anything for it, he must not have liked feeling like he owed me anything. We were baling straw and his son came out in the field wanting to help. He worked the afternoon and I tried to pay him. He said ''No, my dad told me to come and do it''. Just to get out of feeling like he owed me for doing something for him because we were friends, he had to make his son do the grunt work for him so he felt even. It didn't do our friendship a whole lotta good.

 

[Swede in IOWA]

Don't much accept help. Will help anyone that needs help. I am 81 and set in my ways. Seems help always thinks they are in charge. Swede

 

[Keith True]

After my house burned down a couple of years ago I've been building a new one by myself.I've had a lot of offers from friends to help with some of the hard stuff,but that didn't pan put.One friend tried to help me with the chimney,but a half hour into it I saw his face change.He is 66 same as me,and hadn't realized he couldn't do the same stuff as he did when he was 50.I never hire things out,but for this house I hired spray foam insulation for the underneath of one section.The house is 66 feet long,and is a log home.I set all the logs with a dink on the Bobcat,and my wife would just steer them into place.I would get off the machine and set them exactly.Same thing with the roof trusses.She would just steer them with a rope while I set and fastened them.While I appreciate the help,I just can't seem to accept it.

 

[David Snipes]

Same for me.

 

[Traditional Farmer]

Something so called free usually turns out to be more expensive than paying for me.

 

[docmirror]

Only one thing still sets me off ballistic anymore. When someone asks a question when I have asked a question.

Example: Would you please measure the inside dia of the cam bearing race on the Ford 460?

Reply: Why don't you just measure the one in your engine?

I will then completely ignore and avoid the person I asked forever. I'm often rewarded by them email or texting me repeatedly about the same subject which I continue to ignore. I will go 100 miles out of my way to get the info needed without replying or contacting them again. It drives me nuts when a simple request can be either "I have x.xxx on the bearing race". or "No, sorry can't.".

 

[ss55]

A quick How much? or What will it cost me? usually reveals what people expect when they offer their help.

 

[J Hamilton]

Very true. When I offer to help someone, they usually ask how much they owe me when finished. I tell them nothing, I offered to help and most of the time they insist I take something.

 

[ramblineagle]

When some one asks if I want some help my reply is I will take all the volunteer help I can get some times some of the volunteer help says I do not work for nothing. My reply to them is I do not pay for volunteer help.

 

[37 chief]

At 80 myself, I feel like you. I guess I'm set in my ways also. Stan

 

[acresgreen]

I'm of the stubborn nature also Just prefer to do things my own way. I sometimes get slack at work for refusing help when the boss asks me if I'd like a crew. nope