For the last couple of weeks, I noticed something unusual every time I returned home from work. A bright orange extension cord\u2014impossible to miss\u2014was stretched from my neighbor\u2019s garage directly into the outdoor power outlet at the back of my house. At first, I assumed it had to be a mistake.<\/p>\n
Maybe he accidentally plugged into the wrong socket. Maybe he was distracted. Surely there was a reasonable explanation.<\/p>\n
Wanting to avoid conflict, I simply unplugged the cord and moved on without mentioning it. But when it happened again, I walked outside and found him connecting it to my outlet himself, as if it belonged to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d I said, more puzzled than angry. \u201cThat outlet is connected to my electricity bill.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead of apologizing, he shrugged it off.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on,\u201d he replied. \u201cIt\u2019s only costing you a few cents.\u201d<\/p>\n
As though that somehow justified it.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t push the issue. I wanted to keep things friendly and convinced myself it was just a misunderstanding.<\/p>\n
But a few days later, I came home unexpectedly early and saw the cord back in place, stretched across my yard once again. That\u2019s when it became obvious: this wasn\u2019t an accident, and it certainly wasn\u2019t forgetfulness. He simply felt entitled to use my electricity.<\/p>\n
To put an end to it, I installed a lockable cover over the outdoor outlet. Nothing dramatic\u2014just a simple measure to protect my property.<\/p>\n
Then things took an even stranger turn.<\/p>\n
One morning, I found a folded note shoved through my letterbox.<\/p>\n
Expecting an apology or at least some explanation, I opened it only to discover a handwritten complaint accusing me of \u201cblocking access to the community socket.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yes, he actually referred to my private electrical outlet as a community resource.<\/p>\n
The note became even more unbelievable. Since I had supposedly \u201ccut off access,\u201d he claimed he now needed to charge his e-bike inside my house whenever it rained. Then he added one final request: he instructed me to leave my back gate unlocked on Saturday so he could come in and use it whenever necessary.<\/p>\n
I stood there rereading the note in disbelief, wondering whether it was some kind of joke.<\/p>\n
Who feels entitled to someone else\u2019s home simply because they can no longer use that person\u2019s electricity?<\/p>\n
The most frustrating part is that I genuinely tried to find a reasonable solution. I even offered to split the cost of hiring a qualified electrician to install an outdoor outlet on his own property.<\/p>\n
He dismissed the idea immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo need,\u201d he said. \u201cYours is closer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since then, he has apparently been telling neighbors that I\u2019m cheap, difficult, and creating unnecessary drama over a small amount of money.<\/p>\n
But the more I think about it, the clearer it becomes that this was never about the cost of electricity. It\u2019s about respect, personal boundaries, and the assumption that other people\u2019s property exists solely for his convenience.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not looking for an argument. I simply want to enjoy my home without someone treating my electrical outlet\u2014or my house itself\u2014as if it belongs to them.<\/p>\n
So now I\u2019m left wondering: am I overreacting, or is my neighbor being extraordinarily entitled?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"