Would you refuse to feed next door’s cat if it became expected of you?

Posted by Box_of_rodents@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 72 comments

Person next door who is a little weird on occasion in that in passing in the driveway she might completely ignore me, despite a cheerful greeting from me and direct eye contact! On other occasions we’ll stop and talk fairly socially for a while and it’s pleasant and fine. I am always consistent in my greetings and what not. Lately she’s been going away on business trips and the first time she knocked on the door and gave a long explanation of how difficult it would be for her sister to fed her cat and would I mind and so sorry for the inconvenience. I said that I was happy to do it no problem at all. Got the key, duly fed the cat, all was good. Lovely little note of thanks and an unnecessary box of nice biscuits to thank me. In her return she came around and really thanked me again, I said really no problem happy to do it..etc. Next trip came up. This time just asked me by text and keys through the letter box. No problem happy to help. On her return, no thank you, no nothing! Busy week started so I just put her spare keys through her letterbox. I texted her to say I had done that. No thanks or anything, just an ‘ok’. Then another trip came up, but very strange text, like no hi hello, just like I’m going away for 3 days, I will put the keys through the letterbox again, cat food in the cupboard. That was it! No, would you mind feeding him again…etc ! Just expected me without asking. Bloody rude and weird! I replied no problem but I was feeling a bit used but didn’t say anything. I fed the cat because I didn’t want him to be neglected. Put the keys back and texted her as usual. No response, just confirmation text was read. Have seen her walking past as we have a shared driveway. Not had any interaction yet. Next time I think I will just ignore her txt to feed her cat and force an interaction to come and speak to me properly. Other thoughts are that I don’t need users in my life so maybe just still be civil but just decline. How would you handle it?