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#1
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![]() Doug Kanter wrote: If you were faced with the hypothetical muffler situation I described, and you could predict no end to it, you would put a stop to it in any way you could before you'd let the neighbor drive you mad from sleep deprivation. Not everyone approaches problems the way you describe yourself doing. It's easy to say there is no way to solve a situation so that then you can take justice into your own hands. However, for the purpose of this discussion, it's convenient for you to claim otherwise. I made no claim of any sort. I have a neighbor whose dog often comes into my yard to poop. I've spoken to this neighbor several times about it and he's always apologetic but with mixed results. Another neighbor who observed this suggested I smear dog poop under the door handles of his car, or fling it at his house. Instead, when his dog poops in my yard I call him up and ask him to come over and clean it up, which he cheerfully does. Do I like his dog coming over here? No, but this solution is acceptable. I'm happy, the neighbor is happy, and his dog is happy (I presume). I'm not sitting here with smoke coming out of my ears dreaming up revenge so I can feel smug about seeing some jerk get what's coming to them. -- Charlie |
#2
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![]() I have a neighbor whose dog often comes into my yard to poop. I've spoken to this neighbor several times about it and he's always apologetic but with mixed results. Another neighbor who observed this suggested I smear dog poop under the door handles of his car, or fling it at his house. Instead, when his dog poops in my yard I call him up and ask him to come over and clean it up, which he cheerfully does. Do I like his dog coming over here? No, but this solution is acceptable. I'm happy, the neighbor is happy, and his dog is happy (I presume). I'm not sitting here with smoke coming out of my ears dreaming up revenge so I can feel smug about seeing some jerk get what's coming to them. -- Charlie What you did is called communication and reasoning. Thankfully this tact usaully works and I'm glad it worked out to your satisfaction. I also think in all cases this should be tried, even before "calling the cops". Still, I have come accross people who can't be reasoned with. Period. Taking the case of your neighbor, suppose the neighbor's response was: "My dog wasn't over there, must have been someone elses..." So you take picture of the dog crapping in your yard and show it to him. "I really can't tell if that's my dog..." So then you pound on their door the moment the dog crouches in your yard. You finally have indisputable evidence the dog is crapping in your yard, forcing the owner to own up to his responsibility, so he over and cleans up the mess. Are you always going to catch the dog crapping? Are you always going to be able get the owner while the dog is crapping? Do you think based on the owners previous responses that they will clean up the **** on their own without your "indisputtable proof"? In short, this person's lack of responsibility has put the burden on someone else. Either be more vigilant alerting the owner, clean the **** up yourself, or deal with the consequences of dog **** in your yard. Since you can't be vigilant enough to always see where the dog went, you, your family, or your guest may have to deal with stepping in dog **** and bringing it into your house. Please believe me, I'm not abdicating ANY course of action. I merely wish to state that Doug is right in the sense that there are inconsiderate people who can't be reaasoned with, and often if it not a criminal offense the police (especially in larger cities) will not respond in a timely manner. When they do the inconsiderate SOB merely denies their fault. This ofen leads to finding a way to tolerate it or finding a way to make them stop. I know I'm being picky (unfortunately that's who I am), but to me it's not always the action that I find offensive. Often it's the fact that someone who doesn't really know me is making an assumption that I should deal with a mess that they've chosen not to. Without getting into semantics like physical ability or age, an owner allowing their dog crap in my yard without cleaning it up, indicates that the owners time is "too important" to tend to his responsibility. It say that even on my property, their needs come first. When I see someone flick ashes out of the window of their new car, then throws the butt out it screams: "I find a messy car offensive, here you deal with it okay?" When someone parks their new car in a crowded lot two spaces is says: "My car is too important to get scratched so one other person will get to walk two blocks in the rain to go shopping". If your neighbor blast their stereo at 3am they're saying: "I don't care about your comfort: Inconsiderate behavior in general screams a chorus of: "ME! ME! ME! **** YOU!" And your right, Charlie, I won't waste my time hoping for something "bad" to happen to these people, but I can't profess to being above smiling at irony or in worse cases having a lack of compassion when the irony is cruel. In the case of people inconsiderate with their car, sadly, it would make me chuckle if someone accidently bumped their car at the light, scratching their bumper causing them to spill their beverage over their new interior of the car that they burdened others with to keep pristine. If the inconsiderate neighbors dog get away and is hit by a car, I will feel terrible for the dog, and the neighbors kids, but I doubt if any of my sympathy falls with the neighbor. From what you write, your a very reasonable person and probably a better person than I am. You seem like you would be a very nice neighbor to have. People like yourself server as a good example that I have to continue to try to be a better person. I sincerely hope your neighbor realizes how lucky he is and learns to clean up after his pet without your calls. Take Care! Bob |
#3
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#4
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"Dave Hall" wrote in message
... I don't understand what the big deal is. Poop is biodegradable. It's not like the dog dented your car or scratched your boat. I don't know about you, but by 5:00 PM Friday, I have a mental list of all the enjoyable things I'm going to do over the weekend. There's no spare time for cleaning dog **** off my carpet. "Biodegradable" is not relevant INSIDE a house or car. I have no problem with people for whom coprophilia is a hobby. It's not my hobby, though. How are you dealing with it? Ashes and butts are biodegradable. The filters are NOT biodegradable. Inconsiderate behavior in general screams a chorus of: "ME! ME! ME! **** YOU!" Yes. But which behaviors are considered "inconsiderate" are often a matter of opinion. On private property, there is only ONE opinion: that of the property owner. |
#5
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In article , Dave Hall
wrote: So you take picture of the dog crapping in your yard and show it to him. "I really can't tell if that's my dog..." Now he's pushing it.. Well, sadly, there are even people who will commit an act in front you and while denying it to your face. I think we call them politicians :^) Please believe me, I'm not abdicating ANY course of action. I merely wish to state that Doug is right in the sense that there are inconsiderate people who can't be reasoned with, and often if it not a criminal offense the police (especially in larger cities) will not respond in a timely manner. While I agree that there are idiots in the world, the fact that the police may find these little domestic squabbles to be beneath them, does not justify someone taking the law into their own hands, and then having the unmitigated gall to act surprised when that neighbor retaliates. When they do the inconsiderate SOB merely denies their fault. Wouldn't you? It's human nature to become defensive when accused of something. Provide me with proof that I did something, and I'll deal with it. Otherwise, leave me alone. In the case were discussing the incoderate neighbor was given proof, and was most likely fully aware their dog was crapping in their neighbors yard before that time. In this specific case, I honestly can't say what I would tell the cops, becuase it is unlikely they would be at my door for this matter. If I personally wasn't keeping a watchful eye EVERY time my dog was let out, and my neighbor complained, I would take them at their word, apologize, and clean up the mess no questions asked. On the days I exercise "poop patrol" I would most likely make a habit of scouring my neighers area as well. While this has not happened at my house, it happens at a marina where I visit where the manager like the dog and permits her to run free. If I turn my back and Grete poops, and someone call it to my attention, I clean it up ASAP. In addition, I tend to take a few extra minutes clean up the entire picnic area for turds, not just where i saw my dog go. This ofen leads to finding a way to tolerate it or finding a way to make them stop. I know I'm being picky (unfortunately that's who I am), but to me it's not always the action that I find offensive. Often it's the fact that someone who doesn't really know me is making an assumption that I should deal with a mess that they've chosen not to. Without getting into semantics like physical ability or age, an owner allowing their dog crap in my yard without cleaning it up, indicates that the owners time is "too important" to tend to his responsibility. Lifestyles being what they are, this is often true. All people prioritize their actions. When we judge other people, we are doing nothing more than gauging their choices against our own subjectivity. Who gives any one of us the right to make these value judgements against other people? You have a very valid point, and I completely respect the way you worded it: "Who gives any one of us the right" instead of "what gives you the right". While it's human nature for us to do so, I don't think we have the right judge the life of a person from a few inconsiderate actions. In fact, it it the very reason why I'll try to reason with someone who is doing something I take issue with. While by no means absolute, I feel what gives everyone the right to judge an act as inconsiderate is quite simple: If the act reduces the work for the responsible individual at the expense of creating additional work for someone else it is IMHO inconsiderate. If an act enhances the dimishes another persons level of comfort, it MAY be deemed inconsiderate. Once again this is by no means absolute for everything. I understand the case of disturbance is VERY subjective as there are those who will complain a stereo is blaring if they can turn off everthing in the house and hear it with their windows open. Even in cases were there is little ambiguity, such as not cleaning up after your pet, this rule of thumb I suggest is not etched in stone to me. For example, I am far less likely deem the old man who walks his dog with a cane to be inconsiderate when he doesn't clean up after the mess. I am less likely to think of the car owner as inconsiderate when he take two spaces at the far end of the parking lot to avoid dinging his car. As for the person throwing refuge ou the window, I can find no acceptable excuse. You are welcome to debate this point though. It say that even on my property, their needs come first. When I see someone flick ashes out of the window of their new car, then throws the butt out it screams: "I find a messy car offensive, here you deal with it okay?" How are you dealing with it? Ashes and butts are biodegradable. Well I guess I'm of the opinion of if its "no big deal", then let the one who smokes the cigarette deal with it. What is unreasonable about that? Also, while I'm not sure, I think cigarette filters have fiberglass in them. How biodegradable is that? When someone parks their new car in a crowded lot two spaces is says: "My car is too important to get scratched so one other person will get to walk two blocks in the rain to go shopping". No, what it says is that the car owner invested a considerable amount of money and time to get the car that he likes, and wants to take care of it.. Since there are way too many people in the world who have no consideration for other's property, and think nothing of "door dinging" other people's cars, this owner has taken additional steps to minimize this from occurring. The fact that some other people see this action and incorrectly interpret it as a pompous, inconsiderate act and then get an urge to "screw" with his car "just because", underscores the antisocial nature of these same people. Well, I too spent a considerable amount of money for my "good" car. I go through considerable lengths to keep my vehicle looking and operating "new". My car is white and shows dirt easily, so I'll drive around a puddles instead of through them, or drive through a puddle slowly, if can't drive around them. I am a fanatic about my car, and yet, my actions to keep my car at its best stop the moment they impact someone else. If someone's in the oncoming lane, I don't drive around the puddle. If someone behind me I do the speed limit through the puddle. Even in an empty lot, I won't take up two spaces. Taking your viewpoint of they took two spaces "it's no big deal" to a logical conclusion. What if every driver disregards the social norm and takes up two spaces, could you say you would not be impacted if every place you parked suddenly had only half the available parking spaces? This is perfect case where a "slightly unacceptable" behavior could add up to a major problem. Keep in mind Dave that keeping daily driver from getting scratched is a complete fallacy as cars get scratched from driving. If the car is not a daily driver, then the owner could have elected to take their beater car to public places. Either way, it ultimately comes down to other people being impactive negatively (no matter how small) by selfish people's actions for absolutely no reason at all. Since protecting ones car is acceptable, regardless of who it puts out, I guess we need to not be bothered by people who turn their car alarms up to the maximum sensitivity level then are always absent to answer the alarm, or disable it during thunderstorms, that not being inconsiderate as well. If your neighbor blast their stereo at 3am they're saying: "I don't care about your comfort: Yes it does, and that's why we have noise ordinances. Absolutely right, Dave. But the addage "where are the cops when you need 'em" often applies. As it has been pointed out there are often cases, (e.g. unmuffled cars idling at 3am, dog poop in the yard, a late night argument) where the infraction is not actively seen by the police. With regards to noise, in the area I live in, the police will often come out multiple times before a citation is issued to the offending party. Meanwhile I'll be lucky if I get a good nights sleep for one disturbance. In the case of an argument that happens once in a blue moon, okay, I'd let it slide. But is its a repeating offense? Your argument of "that's why we have noise ordinances" is based upon people working within the framework of the law, and the law handling the problem in a timely manner for those who don't. In my community it's not a far reach to speculate the law can't, or won't handle it in this manner. How many sleepless nights is acceptable? Obviously this is by no means carte blanche to take matters into your own hands however you see fit, but keep in mind taking matters DOES NOT necessarily equate to revenge. And I will concede, if Dougs hypothetical muffler situation arose and I could not resolve the situation peacefully, and made good on the my comment, then I too am guilty, and I too open myself up to retaliation. It is the reason that if I elect to get nasty at all, it is a last resort. Inconsiderate behavior in general screams a chorus of: "ME! ME! ME! **** YOU!" Yes. But which behaviors are considered "inconsiderate" are often a matter of opinion. Some things are blatant and fairly cut and dry. But is the guy who takes up two spaces to protect his shiny new car any more inconsiderate than the actions of those who would carelessly scratch it? In my opinion? Absolutely! The car owner taking two spaces engaged in a deliberate action to take two spaces when there is a well established norm for society of "one car, one space". They've elected to disregard the norm and that directly results in extra effort needing to be expended by others. In this case, one or more other person(s) may have to walk farther, perhaps in inclement weater. While you can argue it's "no big deal", it might be to the person(s) being put out from the selfish person's actions. And if the extra effort is truly "no big deal" why doesn't the person who elects to use up more spaces voluntarily park further away where there is less contention for space? In my opinion, it is a safe bet the person who parks next to you and dings your car did not planto ding your car, as there is nothing for them to gain by doing so. Careless? Perhaps. Inconsiderate? maybe not if they didn't realize it. Not at all if they left a note (unlikely though). Much of what you would consider "inconsiderate behavior" is borne from a defensive posture. Many of us become "inconsiderate" to protect ourselves from the "inconsiderate" actions of others. And your right, Charlie, I won't waste my time hoping for something "bad" to happen to these people, but I can't profess to being above smiling at irony or in worse cases having a lack of compassion when the irony is cruel. I would call it God's revenge, but guys like Doug would cringe at that. In the case of people inconsiderate with their car, sadly, it would make me chuckle if someone accidently bumped their car at the light, scratching their bumper causing them to spill their beverage over their new interior of the car that they burdened others with to keep pristine. I have a problem with this. Why would you enjoy seeing someone's pride and joy ruined? And why has his efforts to keep his car clean become a burden to others? I'm sorry if you have a "problem" with this, but that won't change anything. Whether a character flaw, or perhaps human nature (I'll leave it up to each of us to decide) to see selfish people get a taste of their behavior through irony. From my personal perspective I also hope is serves as a reminder that things change, we can't keep everthing perfect, and that people should not take a back seat to the thing in your life. Perhaps they'll even realize the irony, and say "I've been pretty selfish in my actions regarding this car, and look what it got me...". At the very least, if the interior is stained and the car is dented, there's a greater change they won't feel their selfish behavior is necessary. If you want it chalk up my view of inconsiderate irony as a character flaw, fine. You seem to be a resonable person, and on principle I'll have to take that view into consideration when assessing my actions. I still content this flaw is no worse than inconsiderate behavior. In fact, I'd rather have a world that was a little more critical of consideration, balanced by reason, than a world of better natured but self centered individuals who take additional liberties at the expense of their neighbors whenever they see fit to do so. The best neighbors are the ones who do not complain. Human nature being what it is, means that in the normal course of time, that people in close proximity will ultimately encounter some sort of activity which "bothers" them. As long as they are not being grossly negligent, then try to understand that people have the right to engage in certain activities. Should the guy who works second shift have a right to complain when his neighbor mows the lawn at 10:00 AM? When you put yourself in this situation, you have to weigh the consequences of your actions, and not expect the rest of the world to make adjustments for your unusual lifestyle. Great point, Dave! This is the basis of "majority rule". The majority of people live within a certain range of activities. Those are given priority in consideration over those who "march to a different (and sometimes incompatible) drum". Dave Good points Dave! Even if I don't agree with you, it was a good exchange of ideas! Take Care! |
#6
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"Bob D." wrote in message
... In article , Dave Hall wrote: So you take picture of the dog crapping in your yard and show it to him. "I really can't tell if that's my dog..." Now he's pushing it.. Well, sadly, there are even people who will commit an act in front you and while denying it to your face. I think we call them politicians :^) Hey...my first dog experience was with a very old lady who said just that: "You must be mistaken, young man. My dog never leaves the yard!" The problem was that I watched it leave and return to her yard about 20 times before trying to discuss it with her. |
#7
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"Charles" wrote in message
... Doug Kanter wrote: If you were faced with the hypothetical muffler situation I described, and you could predict no end to it, you would put a stop to it in any way you could before you'd let the neighbor drive you mad from sleep deprivation. Not everyone approaches problems the way you describe yourself doing. It's easy to say there is no way to solve a situation so that then you can take justice into your own hands. Justice? Here's the solution to the muffler problem, since you don't seem to have the energy or the mental capacity to work it out: Call the cops and explain that the noise ordinances are being violated. The cops, being stupid, will show up when the act is not being committed. They will tell you they heard nothing. Repeat the calls to the cops 10 more times. They will repeat their assertion that they observed no violation. Now, call your local town justice. Explain that the cops were too busy eating donuts. Explain also that you told the cops the violation took place every weeknight between 3:15 and 3:30 AM, and that the cops couldn't manage to show up in that 15 minute timespan. The town justice will issue instruct the cops to arrest the neighbor. If the cops do not arrest the neighbor, they will be in contempt of court. The neighbor will be taken away in handcuffs and put in a cell for between 2 and 48 hours, depending on how stupid he is. He will have time to think about what an asshole he's been. You will never have a problem with him again. End of story. Do you need this explained any further? Do I like his dog coming over here? No, but this solution is acceptable. I'm happy, the neighbor is happy, and his dog is happy (I presume). I'm not sitting here with smoke coming out of my ears dreaming up revenge so I can feel smug about seeing some jerk get what's coming to them. I have no time for such nonsense. If you're happy with that solution, good for you. If it were me, I'd invite the neighbor over, shove his face in the pile of poop, and explain to him that he should review his will at least every few months to be sure it's up to date, if he intends to continue his antisocial behavior. I don't expect you to understand this. I grew up in Queens. Who the hell knows where you grew up. |
#8
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![]() Doug Kanter wrote: If it were me, I'd invite the neighbor over, shove his face in the pile of poop, and explain to him that he should review his will at least every few months to be sure it's up to date, if he intends to continue his antisocial behavior. This is the type of response which was expected of you. I don't expect you to understand this. I grew up in Queens. Who the hell knows where you grew up. Oh, I understand. You're a ticking time bomb. You are the left-wing liberal counterpart to the angry- at-society skin-head. -- Charlie |
#9
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"Charles" wrote in message
... Doug Kanter wrote: If it were me, I'd invite the neighbor over, shove his face in the pile of poop, and explain to him that he should review his will at least every few months to be sure it's up to date, if he intends to continue his antisocial behavior. This is the type of response which was expected of you. I don't expect you to understand this. I grew up in Queens. Who the hell knows where you grew up. Oh, I understand. You're a ticking time bomb. You are the left-wing liberal counterpart to the angry- at-society skin-head. -- Charlie Gotta separate things into categories to help you: 1) Because I agree with Harry on a few things, I'm a liberal? 2) Actually, due to a couple of letters I wrote to a local paper, the Libertarians are courting me. If you knew anything about the labels you use, you'd understand this. |
#10
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![]() Doug Kanter wrote: "Charles" wrote in message ... Oh, I understand. You're a ticking time bomb. You are the left-wing liberal counterpart to the angry- at-society skin-head. -- Charlie Gotta separate things into categories to help you: 1) Because I agree with Harry on a few things, I'm a liberal? 2) Actually, due to a couple of letters I wrote to a local paper, the Libertarians are courting me. If you knew anything about the labels you use, you'd understand this. Thanks for the help. You're still an angry time bomb. -- Charlie |
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