You help one neighbour with their car and it snowballs.

I used to help my neighbors with car stuff. I've learned that they can be like stray cats -- you feed them once and they never go away. To be clear, I love helping people simply for the act of doing something kind. But when it becomes evident they have no interest in helping themselves or even trying to figure something out before asking for help, my door closes.

One neighbor came by asking for help with replacing the gas struts on his hatchback. I showed him how....I taught him for the next time he needed to do something like that. Next thing he's coming for every little thing, and even his son-in-law's car. Nope, door closed.

Another neighbor, who had just moved onto the street, asked for help repairing a broken exhaust hanger. I welded it all nice and pretty, refused payment and said, "Welcome to the neighborhood. We take care of people here." Now she won't even look at me when I try to wave. Screw you, too.