Need "British" Opinions

[ducklite]

My next door neighbors are from Kent. They use their Florida home about 10-12 weeks a year. When they are not here, I keep an eye on the place for them--bring in any mail they get, walk around the exterior once a week to make sure no windows are broken, go inside once every 2-3 weeks and make sure all is well, turn their A/C down the day before they arrive in the summer so they don't walk into an oven, just generally keep an eye. I don't do any garden work, cleaning, anything like that--they have a gardener and pool company who takes care of all that.

They have offered to pay me several times, and I've always refused. It really only takes a few minutes of my time, and to me it's just what being a good neighbor is all about. They do bring me a bottle of wine whenever they are in town, which I graciously accept. It's certainly not something I expect, but I would do the same if I were in their shoes.

Last night I got home, and they had stopped over in the afternoon and spoken with my husband for a few minutes. They left me two bottles of wine and a card. When I got home I opened the card, and there was $500 US cash inside! I immediately said "I can't accept this, I must return it." I was actually on the phone wiht my sister as I opened the card and she asked what I couldn't accept. I told her about the money. My sister lived in Scotland for five years, and told me I absolutely couldn't return the money as it would be considered offensive.

So I'd like your opinions. I feel terrible, that's a LOT of money! (That said, these people are quite wealthy, and to them it's probably not all that much)

What should I do? I certainly don't want to insult them, but geez Louise!

British opinions requested...

Anne

 

[carolfoy]

Well they obviously feel you do a sterling job! and it sounds like you do. If they want to show a token of their thanks then accept the gift graciously. They know that should they have to pay a management company to do the job then they'd be paying an awful lot more. It just sounds to me that they really appreciate what you do for them.

 

[natalielongstaff]

i agree with carol they must really appreciate what you do and wanted to show you that

 

[chrismoo]

One small thing to consider, ignoring the principle of the gift is that buying dollars is cheap, if you consider what you can buy in the USA for $500, its worth about half in the UK as we pay alot more for everything.

In my mind spending £250 is money well spent to protect a large £100,000 + asset, it ensures they can have a great holiday when they do turn up.

No need to return it, if I gave it I would not want it back. I'm sure if you did give it back they would find a sneaky way to keep returning it

 

[mark&sue]

I agree with everyone else that you should keep the money. To find someone like you is very rare (indeed priceless) and they just want to show their appreciation.

Treat yourselves and have a great Christmas


Susan

 

[cazzie]

I agree you should keep it as it is their way of saying thank you for taking the time to keep on checking that everything is okay and giving them piece of mind.

 

[TracyK]

Definitely keep the money. They are really lucky to have you to keep an eye on things for them. This is their way of saying THANK YOU.

Tracy

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Definately accept the money, but make sure you "tell them off" about it.

 

[Lisash]

Definately keep the money they will be offended if you don't. To be honest as many of the others have said $500 is a small price to pay for the security of knowing your home is looked after while you are not there. I would just make a point next time you see them of saying that while it's much appreciated, that they really shouldn't have as you are happy to help

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Yet another Disser who agrees you should keep the money. They are obviously and rightly appreciative of what you do. Even if you consider what you are doing is neighbourly(which I agree) it is nice to be appreciated.

 

[catherine]

I agree with everyone else, you should keep the money. They are obviously very thankful to have someone like you there to look out for them and just want to show their appreciation!

 

[emily1982]

I agree i'd except the money, i wouldn't find it offensive though about returning it but i do think you should keep it for the responsibility you have. Our neighbours gave me a bag full of stuff to say thank you for watering their plants for a couple of days, thing is i'd killed um! lol

 

[lisaj]

Keep the money, your help is probably worth thousands in peace of mind. I know I worry about my home when I am away for two weeks, knowing you are taking care of their second home will be priceless for them. You could always 'insist' that this will be the one and only time you will accept such a generous gift. To stop the typical englishman doing this again threaten to stop looking after the property if they pay you again and tell them you would be hurt as you do it out of friendship. Does that make us all sound odd?

 

[UKDEB]

Whether or not they can afford it (and it's wrong to make assumptions one way or another), that money is now spent as far as they are concerned and it undoubtedly makes them feel good to have done it. It seems there is a good deal of mutual appreciation to be savoured here. Thank them profusely for their kind gesture and wallow in the satisfaction of a job well done on your part.

 

[ducklite]

Thank you all so much for your valuable opinions!

I've been talking to my husband about this, and we've decided to use the money for something our neighbors can get enjoyment out of as well. We've been talking about planting some citrus trees in our backyard, and will use the cash for that. We'll let our wonderful neighbors know that's what we did with the money, and that when we start getting fruit in a couple of years we want them to help themselves--there will certainly be more oranges, lemons, and limes than my small family would ever eat!

Happy holidays everyone!

Anne

 

[Cyrano]

As everyone suggests they obviously feel that they wanted to show their appreciation and as such they would equally not want you to feel pressured into accepting a gift that you feel is too much.

I would have no hesitation in handing it back if you feel the scale is something you are not comfortable with.

They sound the type of friends/neighbour that you can have good honest and understanding chats with

 

[Yorkshire James]

Thank you all so much for your valuable opinions!

I've been talking to my husband about this, and we've decided to use the money for something our neighbors can get enjoyment out of as well. We've been talking about planting some citrus trees in our backyard, and will use the cash for that. We'll let our wonderful neighbors know that's what we did with the money, and that when we start getting fruit in a couple of years we want them to help themselves--there will certainly be more oranges, lemons, and limes than my small family would ever eat!

Happy holidays everyone!

Anne

That is a fantastic idea!

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Its a wonderful idea, how lovely to have neighbours like that. If everyone was like you the world would be a whole lot better to live in.

 

[Kath2003]

How nice!
You should keep the money. They would be paying a management company a LOT more than $500! The exchange rate is good at the moment so that should make you feel a bit better!

 

[Minniespal]

when we start getting fruit in a couple of years we want them to help themselves

That sounds like a lovely thing to do. That way, everyone benefits.

Happy Holidays Anne