Plus: How do I sever relationship with toxic « friends »?
My neighbor is 80. She’s my political opposite. She’s known me since I was 13. Her husband died 10 or so years ago. All she does all day is stay inside her house (even when it’s sunny) and watch TV news. I try to be nice to her because she’s alone and probably depressed, but sometimes I want to curse her to high heaven.
I borrowed $40 from her and told her I’d give it back the next day. Well, I didn’t get paid until two days later. I saw her in the driveway the next day, and she angrily asked, “Where’s my money?” I told her the story and got it back to her promptly.
We want to check on elderly folks, but sometimes they’re nasty and cranky, and I just want to leave her alone. My mom died at 89, and she was NEVER like that. What gives with some of these older people? — NEIGHBOR IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR NEIGHBOR: I’ll give you a clue about “what gives” with your neighbor. You asked to borrow $40 from a retired senior, promising to return the money in 24 hours. When the money wasn’t forthcoming, she became annoyed and concerned. Stop blaming all seniors for the way one of them reacted when you didn’t keep your word, and you will have fewer problems with them.
