really, it’s the canadian thing to do

March 27th, 2008 · 102 comments

is posting a “polite” sign for the neighbors passive-aggressive? “perhaps,” says the washington post.

from the washington post's

perhaps this portland resident could learn a lesson in politeness from our famously good-natured neighbors to the north? or, um, maybe not.

really, it's the canadian thing to do

(photos from guy in toronto, via jerrold!)

related: boston, a place for friends

Tags: neighbors · snow · toronto

102 responses so far ↓

  • #1  secondsout

    If that’s the deal, I’d like to leave my lawn mower out during the summer, and my rake out during the fall. Maybe if someone could sweep and mop my house, too…

    Mar 26, 2008 at 5:34 pm   rating: +8  

     
  • #2  secondsout

    It’s such a peaceful, Currier & Ives type scene, minus the angry note. It kinda detracts from the decor.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 5:39 pm   rating: +1  

     
  • #3  Canthz_B

    This only works if it is really true that the thief will return to the scene of the crime.
    They should put out some crack-head bait, like a new snow shovel.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 5:53 pm   rating: +1  

    • #3.1  secondsout

      Though if the problem is crack-heads, you should actually try to harness their power. They’re even better than illegal immigrants for cheap labor. Pay the guy $5 and get him to shovel the driveway. That $5 can go a long way towards getting some more crack.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 5:57 pm   rating: +2  

       
     
  • #4  Canthz_B

    Why are tenants required to do grounds work in Portland, Maine?
    Our property manager provides this type of service.
    I’d suggest a nice slip-and-fall lawsuit after the next good snowfall.

    Team take the slumlord to the bank!

    Mar 26, 2008 at 5:58 pm   rating: +6  

    • #4.1  Brian

      I totally agree. I thought that was one of the points of living in an apartment - you don’t have to worry about this crap.

      Mar 27, 2008 at 7:59 am   rating: +1  

       
    • #4.2  unholyghost2003

      Exactly what I was thinking CB & Brian. While grounds keeping duties are not unusual around here for people who are renting an entire house, if you are renting a duplex or an apartment grounds keeping the the job of the landlord. Sure there are buildings where one or another renter does that stuff for a reduced rent rate, but NOT for free! It is the LANDLORD who will pay if someone breaks their neck or the city fines for the walk not being shoveled. I would demand that the landlord knock some money off my rent for doing grounds work, then mention the sweet deal to the young neighbors. Dollars to doughnuts the older folks wont be shoveling next winter!

      Mar 27, 2008 at 9:04 am   rating: +1  

       
    • #4.3  Total Douche

      Seriously, the builing owner is the one legally responsible for shovelling, mowing, etc… They shouldn’t be asking the landlord for help, but letting him know the problem so he/she can rectify it.

      Mar 31, 2008 at 10:58 pm   rating: 0  

       
    • #4.4  wicked opinion

      It is completely the responsibility of the landlord to maintain the property, in all ways. The landlord should be insisting on doing all yardwork before someone smartens up and suddenly pulls their finger muscle and sues. What a bunch of PA idiots. And I agree with Wade below…you can’t do the work and then complain after the fact. Make the landlord responsible.

      Apr 1, 2008 at 9:06 am   rating: 0  

       
     
  • #5  Wade

    Why should the other tenants shovel the steps, if the husband does it every year?

    Why should the landlord step up and take care of it, if the husband does it every year?

    I imagine that until the shoveler asks for help, not via note but personally, everyone else will just assume he likes to do it, and will gladly let him.

    Oh, and the photo. I usually reserve that level of vehemence for the person that parks in the space I shoveled out.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 6:06 pm   rating: +3  

     
  • #6  amy d

    Actually, this seems quite reasonable to me.

    The risk of stealing is arrest.

    This is an offer to barter. The pay for shoveling their walk is a snow shovel.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 6:10 pm   rating: +2  

     
  • #7  shirky

    the other tenants keep trying to complain to the landlord who never shovels, but every time they call him, someone has shoveled the walk! “I do not see a problem,” he says, twirling his mustache.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 6:42 pm   rating: +2  

     
  • #8  Gwynn

    It wouldn’t surprise me if the owners of the shovel conspired to hide it away and then wrote this letter, placing it out conspicuously for all of the other tenants to see in an attempt to enforce the responsibility of the yard up keep onto everyone now that the shovel has been “stolen”

    Mar 26, 2008 at 6:43 pm   rating: +2  

     
  • #9  pry

    i’m betting these are the same “young people” who don’t ever shut the door. who raised these young folks?

    Mar 26, 2008 at 6:45 pm   rating: +2  

    • #9.1  secondsout

      Old folks. These old people have nobody to blame but themselves.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 7:46 pm   rating: +1  

       
     
  • #10  tlyzer

    If the wife was so concerned about her husband and his bad back, she should get off her polite ass and help out instead of writing letters to Miss Manners.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 6:48 pm   rating: +4  

    • #10.1  noah

      furreal!

      Apr 3, 2008 at 4:27 pm   rating: 0  

       
     
  • #11  Gwynn

    If these are the kind of manners and etiquette that Jerk has, I would say his mother named him appropriately.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 6:56 pm   rating: +3  

    • #11.1  Canthz_B

      A lazy only a mother could love! LOL

      ♥ Gwynn ♥

      Mar 27, 2008 at 12:37 am   rating: +1  

       
     
  • #12  Anono

    That damn 5 headed, triflin, shovel stealin SOB!!!

    Mar 26, 2008 at 6:59 pm   rating: +1  

     
  • #13  Suhayla

    What a shitty year for someone to steal the shovel. Maybe the guy stole it because he saw that they (like so many others in Toronto) weren’t actually using it, and figured he could put it to better use in his efforts to navegate this treacherous, unshovelled hinterland.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 7:00 pm   rating: +1  

     
  • #14  Gwynn

    What happened to the window in the background ? Did something fall ? I certainly wouldn’t take a picture of my house if the window looked like that.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 7:06 pm   rating: 0  

    • #14.1  Suhayla

      It’s a reflection. Of the house accross the street. And a small tree.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 7:11 pm   rating: 0  

       
     
  • #15  Gwynn

    Oh, I see that now but at first it looked to me like the curtain and the rod fell down exposing the blinds behind it.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 7:14 pm   rating: 0  

     
  • #16  memememe

    It’s also worth mentioning, that as healthy young tenants, they possibly don’t notice that the walk “needs shovelling” because it’s easy to manage. What I consider a clean walk when I’m healthy and what I consider a clean walk when I’m in pain are very very different.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 7:31 pm   rating: +2  

    • #16.1  TuesdayPillow

      Quite, quite.

      I am wont to trudge through the snow and put up with slushy parking lots. However, were I not so young and sprightly, perhaps I would think to clear the walk.

      My suggestion for the lovely couple? Buy your own property.

      Mar 27, 2008 at 1:16 am   rating: +1  

       
     
  • #17  amazon

    Team Move to a Warmer Climate! Shouldn’t all old people be in Florida, anyways?

    Mar 26, 2008 at 7:45 pm   rating: +3  

    • #17.1  TuesdayPillow

      All old people live in my basement.

      Want to buy one?

      Mar 27, 2008 at 1:17 am   rating: 0  

       
     
  • #18  Rachel (your girlfriend, idiot)

    This is a message for bamBAM, so please disregard this if you are not him, here goes:

    Look, david, youre being real immature by not answering your phone or emails, so maybe you’ll read this at least. I’m sorry. I pressured you into something you didn’t want to do, and I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be a bitch, I just thought that cause of your reply to that question, you didn’t love me. I’m sorry, I just was feeling pretty awful, and I didn’t mean my words to hurt you or our relationship. I just really need some closure here, I understand if you never wanna talk to me again, but the David I know isn’t that stupid. I’m really really sorry.

    Rachel

    Mar 26, 2008 at 7:53 pm   rating: +1  

    • #18.1  Wade

      Rachel, dear.

      I just want to make you aware of a few things.

      You do have a few minutes to rethink your post and modify it, before it becomes a permanent part of cyberspace.

      Your apology may come across a little mixed, considering the name you signed in with.

      I’m not sure this particular post is going to get the response you are aiming for.

      Why am I commenting? Because you have done the equivalent of posting a note on a community bulletin board.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 8:05 pm   rating: +3  

       
    • #18.2  Rachel (your girlfriend, idiot)

      Sorry about that, I just know this is a site he checks a lot and is constantly talking about the comments, so I am hoping he’ll at least read this this.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 8:09 pm   rating: +1  

       
    • #18.3  Wade

      That’s OK, sweetie.

      Now make a snarky comment about people who steal snow shovels.

      It will make you feel better. :D

      Mar 26, 2008 at 8:11 pm   rating: 0  

       
    • #18.4  Suhayla

      I’m sure he’ll be really glad that you’re posting that note here.

      Don’t apologize to us… But I think it would have been more effective for you to write the note out physically, post it at his workplace, and then take a picture of it and the comments that it garners from his co-workers and then send it in here for us to comment on. But this works too.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 8:16 pm   rating: +8  

       
    • #18.5  Rachel (your girlfriend, idiot)

      Well, he hasn’t a workplace, and I don’t wanna embarrass him any more than I already have. I hate people who steal shovels. Good enough??

      Mar 26, 2008 at 8:19 pm   rating: +1  

       
    • #18.6  Gwynn

      Well if you dont wish to embarrass him anymore than you have Rachel, you might concider the name you signed in with Rachel (your girlfriend, idiot). I hope you two can work things out.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 8:31 pm   rating: 0  

       
    • #18.7  Rachel (your girlfriend, idiot)

      I mean that in the folllowing way:

      David, youre an idiot if you don’t accept my apology, and I am an even bigger idiot for not listening to you. And I probably shouldn’t have shown your actual name on the Internet, but if anything happens, blame me.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 8:40 pm   rating: +1  

       
    • #18.8  amy d

      Hi bamBam :roll:
      Too subtle? Ok, bamBam is masquerading as his girlfriend in these posts.

      Better?

      Mar 26, 2008 at 8:52 pm   rating: +8  

       
    • #18.9  Canthz_B

      Oh, dear! This would be so distressing,
      heart-wrenching even …if it had a germ of truth attached.
      Begone, troll!!!

      Mar 27, 2008 at 12:51 am   rating: +4  

       
    • #18.10  Mishee

      Then why did you change your myspace status to “Single”, Rachel? That’s like, the definitive moment if Mr. Mishee (funny, he’s a David, too) did that to me, I would be a little confused and hurt myself…

      But I guess when you have an invisible girlfriend, it’s harder to read her mind?

      Mar 27, 2008 at 7:15 am   rating: +1  

       
    • #18.11  claw71

      Don’t waste your time with him, Rachel…I’ll accept your apology and I’ve got an albino python.

      Mar 27, 2008 at 7:23 am   rating: +4  

       
    • #18.12  Brian

      He doesn’t have a job and he’s still ducking you. What’s wrong with you? Well, other than the unhealthy obsession and that you probably have a bit of a stalker streak in you.

      Mar 27, 2008 at 8:09 am   rating: +1  

       
    • #18.13  unholyghost2003

      Oh Rachel, you silly little thing! Go tie one on with your girlfriends and move on! If he wants you back (and assuming YOU want HIM back at that point) then it will work out. College romance is a pressure cooker, give yourself a little distance.

      Funny how Rachel seems to be navigating the “reply to this thread” function whilst bB is struggling with that concept.

      anywho,

      Note 2 people, invest in a snowblower, those fuckers are so heavy that theft becomes less of an issue and your elderly neighbs will thank you!

      Mar 27, 2008 at 9:20 am   rating: 0  

       
     
  • #19  bamBAM!!

    Doesanyone know why the above comments came up on My blog log??

    Mar 26, 2008 at 9:04 pm   rating: +1  

    • #19.1  Crash

      Ummm…ya’, I think you do too…could be a couple reasons though…

      Mar 26, 2008 at 9:47 pm   rating: 0  

       
    • #19.2  Sue Do Nim

      Hmmm..I wonder. Do comments about you show up on your blog log? Or replies to your posts?

      Mar 27, 2008 at 2:39 pm   rating: 0  

       
    • #19.3  unholyghost2003

      actually all comments made by people who are your friends on bloglog show up on your bloglog, as long as they are logged in. It doesn’t matter who or what they are responding to or what they are talking about.

      Mar 27, 2008 at 2:43 pm   rating: 0  

       
    • #19.4  Sue Do Nim

      ty, uhg. guess if i had any friends and/or a bloglog, i would’ve known that.

      Mar 27, 2008 at 3:25 pm   rating: +1  

       
     
  • #20  bamBAM!!

    How long was I logged in?? I got some sort of email about folow up comments, but my laptop died, so I was kinda freakin out that someone posted something…

    Mar 26, 2008 at 9:07 pm   rating: +1  

    • #20.1  Sue Do Nim

      I give up? How long were you logged in?

      Mar 27, 2008 at 2:47 pm   rating: 0  

       
     
  • #21  known unknown

    *scrolls through comments*

    wha? oh LOL!!!

    *dies laughing*

    Mar 26, 2008 at 9:56 pm   rating: +4  

    • #21.1  anglophile

      Now, that’s a shame. I was enjoying your sarcastic wit. RIP, known unknown. ;)

      Mar 26, 2008 at 9:58 pm   rating: +4  

       
     
  • #22  known unknown

    ::known unknown’s ghost::

    ha!

    I’ve never seen a couple sort themselves out in the comment section of a blog before, my heart was just not prepared. ;-)

    Mar 26, 2008 at 10:05 pm   rating: +2  

    • #22.1  Canthz_B

      Are we in for another round of “ghosts”? ;-)

      Mar 27, 2008 at 12:55 am   rating: +1  

       
    • #22.2  known unknown

      Oh dear, “another” round?

      Do people often come into this section and air out their significant others?

      I’ll have to notify some of the voices in my head so I can play too…

      :lol:

      Mar 27, 2008 at 1:14 am   rating: +3  

       
    • #22.3  park rose

      Well the ‘ghosts’ are in for another round, CB.

      #33 and #34 :lol:

      Mar 27, 2008 at 8:58 am   rating: +1  

       
     
  • #23  bamBAM!!

    I apologize to all you innocent bystanders of this mess. Its all sorted out now, and hope everyone had a good hearty laugh. Well, I guess I’ll go sit in a closet and die of embarrassment, now. Thanx, all.

    Mar 26, 2008 at 10:09 pm   rating: +3  

    • #23.1  RALPHY

      Hey bB–you can’t run off like that and leave us hanging like this and wondering what she talked you into and shouldn’t have! Give us a break and spill the the beans, will ya.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 10:38 pm   rating: +1  

       
     
  • #24  known unknown

    Don’t let me embarrass you, Bam.

    If it makes you feel any better, I spent all day yesterday with toothpaste in my hair. It was a big crusty beacon on the side of my face and no one told me.

    You’ve got relationship issues, I’ve got a staff and four so-called friends that let me walk around looking like a busy hooker.

    :-)

    Mar 26, 2008 at 10:20 pm   rating: +9  

     
  • #25  morpho aurora

    buy another snow shovel, paint it a really obnoxious gaudy color and draw pink penises on it. this may not prevent theft, but at least you’ll know who stole it. :D

    Mar 26, 2008 at 10:38 pm   rating: +7  

    • #25.1  RALPHY

      Brillant! Really! But shouldn’t the penises be baby blue?

      Mar 26, 2008 at 10:43 pm   rating: +1  

       
    • #25.2  morpho aurora

      well i guess if you really wanted to you could paint yours blue - but that might make your social life a little difficult ;)

      Mar 26, 2008 at 10:46 pm   rating: +3  

       
    • #25.3  park rose

      because flashers are the obvious suspects when stealing snow shovels, or to put it in legal jargon - those who like to expose themselves in snowy climes?

      Mar 26, 2008 at 10:47 pm   rating: +3  

       
    • #25.4  anglophile

      Of course, if that’s the route you want to go, you’re going to need some of this.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 10:57 pm   rating: +5  

       
    • #25.5  morpho aurora

      what would a flasher need with a snow shovel,anyways? i mean really in that kinda cold he could probably get away with a little kid’s sand shovel if he suddenly changed his mind about sharing his assets with the public.

      Mar 26, 2008 at 11:05 pm   rating: +3  

       
    • #25.6  park rose

      overcompensation?

      Mar 27, 2008 at 1:42 am   rating: +1  

       
    • #25.7  Heidi

      hahahahaah sweet!! That could work for alpt of things!!! Good tip!

      Mar 27, 2008 at 1:41 pm   rating: +1  

       
     
  • #26  known unknown

    “Dick Paint”

    *shrieks*

    But honestly, I intend to draw penises on everything I don’t want stolen. Does Dick Paint come in metallics? Or puffy paint?

    Mar 26, 2008 at 11:13 pm   rating: +2  

    • #26.1  bob wong

      Oh yeah, puffy paint would definitely be the way to go! Then you could make the penises (penii?) stand out in bas relief.

      Mar 27, 2008 at 5:36 am   rating: +2