Miss Manners on preventing freeloading from neighbors

[leno...@yahoo.com]

http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainmentheadlines/ci_10070090?nclick_check=1

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We live in a fairly affluent neighborhood in a
woodsy suburb of a major city. At least a couple times per year, trees
fall during storms, causing a power outage, some of which last an
extended period of time.

Like a few other residents of this neighborhood, we purchased a backup
generator, which automatically supplies power when there is an outage.

A neighbor with whom we are cordial but do not socialize began
appearing at our door during these outages requesting to use our
refrigerator, our bathroom to apply makeup for a night out on the
town, and other such requests. The last time she brought an extension
cord and suggested that we let her run it to her house.

We feel a bit like the Little Red Hen: We've taken the initiative to
prepare for these outages, yet this woman just wants to rely on
us.........

(end of excerpt)

I like the way she answers it.

Lenona.