Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

A few years ago our neighbor asked to move a hot tub on our side of our house and if it wrecked our camelias and other landscaping, she would pay for it.  I said I had to think it over, as that is where our sunroom is and the wall is all windows.  I could see the glass crashing in.  She was offended that I didn't say yes instantly, and she ended up having it moved on the other side of her house.  Fast forward to two days ago, and her husband comes over and needs the NEW hot tub moved to their back patio and asks if he can bring it up our steps, but then get it up his own steps to the back.  We said yes.  The first request came like a demand, and this time it was more thoughtful and reasonable and didn't involve destroying our landscaping.  Now there still could end up being damage, even in this scenario, but the tone of the asking made all the difference.  Talk about right speech.  The wife demands, the husband is friendly and low key.  I imagine he has to mediate his wife's impulsiveness fairly often.  And I don't think she has a clue how she comes off.  But we try to be reasonable, and work with them when we can.