We stopped helping our neighbors with free home repairs and our friendship cooled. Who’s to blame?

After years of offering free home repairs, the author decided to stop the practice, leading to a noticeable cooling in their relationship with the neighbors. The neighbors had previously requested help with a roof replacement and later flaunted their new SUV, which seemed to signal a shift in their appreciation or respect. This change raises questions about the dynamics of community support and the potential social costs of ending such assistance. The incident underscores the complexities of neighborly relationships and the impact of perceived generosity or neglect.