Cheeky bar steward

[clive milne]

I can't recall the last day I didn't find some reason to polish my deeply honed sense of cynicism... today didn't exactly present an anomaly in that regard.

Walked out of the house this morning to be confronted with the sight of a guy from a few doors down shovelling wood-chips in to his wheely bin from the pile on my front lawn. Judging by the amount missing, he must have been at it since dawn.

[xelasnave]

That is a difficult situation Clive.
Was it on your property or the "council strip"?

I suppose you would feel driven to act but I would say if someone does such a thing it may be best to turn the other cheek because I don't think he would be worth engagement.
His action is stealing of course and if on your land he has committed trespass.

If on the nature strip he may have thought the council put them there , still stealing.
But it sounds like avoiding him may be a good investment for a happy future.
And in times like these I recall the words of Francis Bacon....
On taking revenge a man it but equal with his enemy but to pas it over he is superior...for it is a princes part to pardon.

Alex

[xelasnave]

Still we could use the thread to present various ways to get him back.
I go for delivering 100 tons of dynamic lifter (wet) on his front porch.
Alex

[clive milne]

I wasn't entertaining any thoughts of revenge...

I just put it to him... "Did it not occur to you to at least ask"?

He scuttled off in shame.

Incidentally, a couple of weeks ago I was working on the retic on the verge.

I turned my back for 30 seconds and in that time someone had walked passed, picked up my tools, a box of gear drive sprinklers, sunnies and reading glasses!

Society is a thin veneer, imho)

[AstralTraveller (David)]

You didn't ask for your property back? I'd be telling him to return it to where he found it! As for the theft, I hope that is out of character for the area.

[xelasnave]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

You didn't ask for your property back? I'd be telling him to return it to where he found it! As for the theft, I hope that is out of character for the area.

Hi David
Often the trouble with folk like the wood chip guy is its not long before it is you in the wrong...you should not have left it there if you wanted it ..I thought you were throwing it out.. If I were Clive I would blame myself given his sad experience it seems prudent to simply expect the worst and make sure there is nothing that can be nicked.
The tools etc may have been taken by the same chap.
Terrible but still better than many war torn regions of the world. Count your blessings.
Alec

[AussieTrooper (Ben)]

Did he bring them back?

[pmrid (Peter)]

I imagine there could be some arguable grey area around whether the wood chip was clearly on your property or the footpath/verge. If you had a front fence or some other visible "barrier" which would imply a fence line, then there could be no excuse or defense. But if not, then there may be a reasonable degree of uncertainty that would allow your thieving neighbor to escape the consequences.

Only you can really say.

If you are clear that there could be no mistake about it, I would not hesitate to call the police. That sort of conduct should not be tolerated. You've already lost any existing or potential good relationship you may have had with this person so really, what possible reason could you have for not proceeding? Make sure you take plenty of photos and measurements though.

Peter

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

I'd give him an alternative.
"I'll call the police, or you will call the garden centre and order and pay for a new load to be delivered here, which you will then disperse according to my directions."

[xelasnave]

Take an impression of his face on a shovel.
Best to forget it. Things won't get better.
You don't pick at a scab and pursuing justice here won't work.
I am reminded about a neighbour dispute up my way where one neighbour cut off the head off another. Things like this escalate easily.
Stay calm. If he is such a fool someone else will take him out without you lifting a finger.
Cancel the dynamic lifter before its too late.
Alex

[PeterM]

Be careful you don't open yourself to extortion by issuing him with threats.

[xelasnave]

I am in the middle of a neighbour hood dispute trying to keep everyone calm. It goes back over twenty years and everyone has a tale of grievence but it would all go away if folk just stepped back forgot the past and moved on...Unfortunately it probably won't end well...and know this the police really don't want to know.
Folk get drunk and can do foolish things.
I would patch it up ask him if he needs more he may have a mental problem, so many have, so be his friend.
And if you do have to take him out sometime in the future no one will suspect you his best friend....I am joking of course but I am trying to help you get past it.
It's not a big deal forget the loss over come your pride move on be happy.
Alex

[Wavytone]

One day the hating has to stop.

Sorry ... I've just been watching The Railway Man.