It’s okay to take without asking, as long as you’re apologetic afterward, which is allegedly what one older man in Michigan believes. Reddit user SuperDump101 says this man is her neighbor and won’t stop essentially stealing from her garden out front. According to her post on r/mildlyinfuriating, the man will take her produce and then leave a message on her Ring doorbell. OP claims that he then says that “he appreciates us, he only took so much, and that he left us some.”
“We are not a community garden! We are not a free-for-all! You don’t just take without asking!” SuperDump101 exclaimed. She went on to add that she wouldn’t mind if this older neighbor had asked before helping himself, as she claims to have quite the generous heart. She’s not the only one who thinks this man is overstepping the line, both metaphorically and physically, with thousands of Redditors criticizing the entitled neighbor.
Not to mention, the garden means a lot to SuperDump101. Since moving in during COVID season, OP says she’s worked hard to cultivate her front yard’s garden. “I am proud of my garden, and it provides enough for my family and occasionally some to give away to friends and extended family,” she wrote. What doesn’t please her is an entitled man who allegedly trespasses and disrespects both her gardening efforts and her property.
Reddit Urges Confrontation
Hundreds of Redditors urged SuperDump101 to confront this produce snatcher directly; otherwise, she’s just enabling him at this point. “You have to directly tell him you are not a community garden and do not appreciate him helping himself,” suggests a Reddit user. “Yes, he will try to make you feel guilty. Don’t let him. He’s wrong and knows it.”
“How rude of him,” remarked another commenter. “Even community gardens aren’t a free-for-all. It’s a place for people to grow their own plants.” Some even compared the man’s actions to stealing a bag of groceries off their porch, only to say sorry after the fact. Many people recommended more tangible solutions, such as setting up a fence or putting up “no trespassing” signs.
In the end, this older neighbor could have gotten the produce he wants for free had he just asked, according to SuperDump101. “I love the feeling of helping others but have some manners,” she wrote. Though things aren’t going to change until some clear-cut boundaries are established.
