"Suzie-Q" wrote in message
...
My neighbor occasionally parks his car in front of my house.
It usually doesn't stay there for long -- maybe a few hours.
But as of today he has had his car parked in front of my house
for three or four days.

Now, I know the street is public and that anyone can sort of
park anywhere (with limits). But besides just not wanting to
look out my window and see his car (an old but nicely maintained
VW bug), two things are happening. He's making it very difficult
for the letter carrier to get to my mailbox. I'm sure she has to
get out of her car to put mail in my box. Second, he's making it
difficult for the elderly woman across the street to back
out of her driveway. She's worried that she'll hit his car.

I get along with this neighbor just fine but am worried about my
approach should I initiate a conversation. I don't want to come
across as angry and destroy a good relationship.

Any suggestions?
--
8^)~~~ Sue

Don't do anything but be direct. Just say, "I value you as a neighbor. I
think you would help me in most any situation."

And then proceed to ask if he would please not leave the car there because
it causes problems with the mailman and the elderly lady. Say you are
concerned that the elderly lady or the mailman might damage his classic car.
You might even stretch it a bit and say that you have seen them come close
on a couple of occasions. It wouldn't be much of a stretch, if they're
anything like my mailman or elderly neighbor.

Chances are, you will get what you want and still keep the good
relationship.

Don't be evasive and put the blame on someone else. Children do that.
Adults go straight to the problem, approach it politely, and stay to the
facts.

If he is an adult, he will respond positively.

If he isn't, it will just be a matter of time before the car gets damaged,
and you will have been the one who said it might happen.

Steve