Mind your own business... or not.

by Karen Cleveland
Sometimes I just can’t help it…I need to speak up. If I bear witness to something that I feel the need to callout, I do a gut check: if I don’t say anything right now, will this keep me awake later tonight?

Earlier this week, my response to this question was “yes” and it went something like this:

Me, walking down my street, coming back from a jog; iPod cranked with adrenaline to match. I notice a gentleman walking a dog. Said dog squats on my lawn. And does something that requires a shovel and a baggie.

Dog finishes, man begins to walk away, oblivious that I (the proud owner of the plushest lawn on my street) witness this.

Me: Errr….are you going to pick that up?
Gentleman: Pick what up?
Me: That mess. That mess your dog just made.
Gentleman: Why do you care?
Me: Because that’s my lawn. [very awkward pause] So….are you going to pick it up?
Gentleman: A series of cuss words, angry mumbles and nasty looks whilst cleaning up the mess.
Me: Are you upset because I’ve asked you to clean up after YOUR dog on MY lawn? Because if you disagree with that, you shouldn’t let your dog use it as its toilet. Fair?
Gentleman: More muttered cuss words and nasty looks then a clear glance towards my house address.

Therein lies the lesson.

Should I have spoken up? Probably, yes. But thanks to my moxie, who knows what this guy has planned (likely a vendetta).

Know when do raise a stink, or when to clean it up yourself.