Boy, that’s a crusty neighbor. Kind of reminds me of an article I read about a Mall in Houston that allowed clerks etc to grow whatever they wanted (vegs, fruit, herbs) in the Mall’s decorative pots. One fellow watched a person pick a tomato off of his plant in HIS pot. He walked over to the person and said (paraphrase) “That will be a dime, we clerks “own” the fruits of our labors, so as a non-planter, I’m requesting a dime for that tomato you picked from my plant”. I thought that was great.
I think they are trapped in the "poor" mentality. They have so many excuses why they can't do something for themselves that they don't even see opportunities. They will borrow tools (always do bring them back) and ask for stuff like the garden produce which I gladly give them. But then he wants to be paid if he helps me out. I really feel sorry for them to tell the truth.