What Would You Do?
By LindaOH
@LindaOHio (222534)
United States
December 29, 2023 7:58am CST
Our neighbor across the street has been bringing our trash dumpster back to the garage for several years now. Our housekeeper comes over every Monday now and gets the trash together and brings it out to the street. This all makes it much easier for my hubby who has a lot of trouble doing anything physical.
For the past few years we have been sending our neighbor a $50 gift card with her Christmas card; and every year she tells us she really doesn't want us to do that and that she doesn't do that much for us. She doesn't realize how much it helps my hubby not to have to bring that dumpster all the way back to the house, especially in the s**w, heat or rain. The past two years we sent her a gift card to Longhorn Steakhouse which we know she loves!
What would you do? Do we stop giving her the gift cards? Do we continue sending her the cards in spite of her protests? Just stopping seems so weird; but continuing seems to upset her.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
15 people like this
15 responses
@snowy22315 (209016)
• United States
29 Dec 23
I would continue, as long as you can afford to, if she doesn't want it she could always give it to someone else, or better yet, share it with someone else.
4 people like this
@snowy22315 (209016)
• United States
29 Dec 23
@LindaOHio She probably just thinks it is polite to protest getting the cards or something. People are funny.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
30 Dec 23
@snowy22315 She always sounds a bit miffed which is why I posted this Discussion. I don't know. She is a funny person. She will tell us what she doesn't like in our yard and what we should do about it!!!!
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
29 Dec 23
She loves Longhorn Steakhouse; and I know she uses the cards!
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
29 Dec 23
I think that's the answer too. Thanks.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
29 Dec 23
You need to have a heart to heart with her. Explain how much you appreciate her.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
30 Dec 23
@LindaOHio She probably really does just want to do a kindness.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
30 Dec 23
I've tried. She always sounds miffed that we give her a gift. She feels she is just doing a good deed.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135819)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Dec 23
I would tell her it makes me feel good to do that little bit for her.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
29 Dec 23
I've told her that; but she's pretty stubborn.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
30 Dec 23
@wolfgirl569 I think that's what we will do. Thanks.
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
29 Dec 23
You need to talk to her and tell her that what she does for you is invaluable. The gift card is a mere token of your appreciation for all she does. Yours and your husband's physical abilities are limited. You can't do what she does. Therefore, the card is your appreciation for all she does. Even though she doesn't see it as a lot. It is. Also tell her that by blessing her with the gift card, you receive a blessing in giving it to her.
I wouldn't deny someone else a blessing when they do something for me.
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
29 Dec 23
@LindaOHio She's depriving you of a blessing if she doesn't accept the card.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
29 Dec 23
@just4him I"ve never thought of it that way. Thanks.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
29 Dec 23
I've explained that to her. She's a "pay-it-forward" person and feels that she doesn't want anything in return.
2 people like this
@MommyOfEli2013 (89678)
• Rupert, Idaho
30 Dec 23
That's nice of them to help with that.... sorry they aren't liking the gift cards - but I would keep giving them if you want to
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
30 Dec 23
I think we should continue too. She enjoys the Longhorn Steakhouse cards.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (89678)
• Rupert, Idaho
31 Dec 23
@LindaOHio Well those sound like the best ones to go with then
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
30 Dec 23
I think we will continue on as is as well. Thanks.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
30 Dec 23
That's a thought. I doubt she would ever suggest something though. Thanks for the suggestion.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502573)
• Italy
30 Dec 23
@LindaOHio I am sure she appreciates your gift card, but does not want that you feel obliged to buy a present.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
29 Dec 23
I think that's the answer too. Thank you.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (98033)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Dec 23
I think she is really delighted by the gift cards but feels kind of funny that to her she does so little but gets so much pleasure. I say continue with the gift cards.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
29 Dec 23
I think not expressing your gratitude would make her feel much worse than her small protest that she doesn't deserve your appreciation.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
29 Dec 23
I agree. I will continue to send the cards with a note of appreciation.
2 people like this
@porwest (112876)
• United States
31 Dec 23
Sometimes modesty or protest is simply a form of showing even more appreciation for a gift. It is sort of to affirm, "I REALLY appreciate that you think of me, but I don't do these things for the gifts." I would continue to offer the gift cards and contend they are appreciated more than upsetting.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
1 Jan 24
She really is upset; but I'm going to continue to give them anyway. Thanks. Happy New Year.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222534)
• United States
3 Jan 24
@porwest She's also a busybody. "What are you going to do with that red car in the driveway? Did you know that your front light is out? Are you going to take down your fence now that you don't have dogs?"
1 person likes this
@porwest (112876)
• United States
3 Jan 24
@LindaOHio I find it surprising that she is. It seems...unnatural.
1 person likes this
@jnrdutton (3452)
• United States
30 Dec 23
I'd say keep showing your appreciation, she might not think she does much for you two, but you two know she does.
Those gift cards are a wonderful thing, and I think she'll come to understand that you're just grateful, nothing for her to get upset over really.
2 people like this
