Neighbor agrees to babysit chopping board for chef while he's away, realizes he expects them to oil it at 3 AM: 'I thought he was joking'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Aug 17, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

Do you ever regret agreeing to do a favor for somebody?

One of the best ways to maintain those deceptively important neighborly relationships is to help people out now and again. If those who live close to you understand that you are somebody who can be counted on, then there is a much bigger chance that they might give you some support when you are in a tight spot. Plus, it is also just nice to be helpful now and again.

Doing a favor for a neighbor also puts you in the unique position of gaining some extra insight into their lives and personalities (it is any nosy person's dream). This can be positive or negative, depending on what you happen to find out. Sometimes, the revelation is as simple as finding out that you live next to an individual who unfortunately expects to take while giving nothing in return. Other times, you may wind up making a friend for life. If you end up doing something like house or pet sitting, you may be confronted with the realisation that we never truly know what is going on in other people's homes. It isn't wise to underestimate even the smallest of requests from a neighbor.

As many have had the displeasure of finding out, sometimes agreeing to some neighborly help can unexpectedly throw you in the deep end with no easy way of escaping. It isn't often that such a situation ends up being quite as weird as this one, though.

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  • Kitchenware maintenance doesn't get more intense than this.

    told my neighbor 'sure i'll babysit your cutting board while you're gone' (??) cuz i thought he was joking Likes 769
    via cardamomkiss

  • When a neighbor asked this individual to take care of his butcher's block while he was on vacation, they agreed without thinking that he was being totally serious. As it turned out, this eager chef really did feel that this piece of cooking equipment needed to be cared for while he was away.

    He left detailed instructions on how to care for the chopping board, which included a regular and somewhat inconvenient oiling schedule and a request to see photos of it every day. Clearly, this was more than just a surface to cut things on; it was also a part of his family.

     

  • Thank you SO much, SAM for agreeing to watch my butcher block while I am away. Just like a cat or child, my butcher block is a living thing that is a part of my family! Proper care and maintenance is vital. Please see the flip side of this note for the oiling schedule. Waking up at 3am to oil and butter the board may seem excessive, but it's important to make sure there aren't any warps or cracks. Please report any warps or cracks to me immediately at my number 7 Don't forget to send me pictures
    via cardamomkiss

  • Inspired By A Certain Character

    first love @fleurskiss present day log lady
    via fleurskiss
  • Charli Harvey: The Charl... @TryingMaybe who up oiling they block
    via TryingMaybe

  • The Timings Go Crazy

    Winter @llyasLawyers But like why 3 am? Why cant it be like 10 am so it doesnt disrupt his sleep? Im so confused
    via IlyasLawyers
  • SoCal Cynic @PatrioticPerv The sh that happens when you finally decide to be nice
    via PatrioticPerv

  • Dedicated To A Fault

    Scumoftheearth @fartpoop201 He looks tired he's definitely following that oiling schedule Imao
    via frtpop201
  • Aidan Furlan @yoursunnyescape Instructions on a laminated card with the name written in erasable ink. You are not the first and you will not be the last.
    via yoursunnyescape
  • *sienna @siennamaxxing this is either a really elaborate bit or that guy's coworker is just the real george cooper. either way i want to meet this person
    via siennamaxxing

  • The Hard Work COuld Pay Off

    Thomson Trang @ThomsonTrang If my friend is this passionate about something that he/she would make a laminated care card, I'm pulling out all the stops and making sure it gets done. Why? Cause when I go on vacation, I know they'll take care of my cats right.
    via ThomsonTrang

  • + $100 Cleaning Fee

    alex @RUGGEDCOUNTRY Airbnb rules these days
    via RUGGEDC0UNTRY
  • Brainmelt @br41nm31t loving things like this is beautiful actually I say goodnight to multiple things in my room when I go to bed
    via br41nm3lt

  • Respect The Chef

    Odie Hanma Dakoh... @LOb4wwlz As someone who's been around cooks my whole life it is in fact that serious
    via L0b4wwlz
  • @velvetys_ I need the board reveal
    via velvetys_
  • Saran is currently into s... @baektoparadise Okay but this seems kinda fun if you're unemployed
    via baektoparadise

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neighbors favor cooking chopping board
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