Asking Eric: Tips for sharing a neighborhood pool

Dear Eric: Here’s an idea for the letter writer, “No Lifeguard on Duty,” regarding friends inviting themselves over to use their pool.

When growing up in Monrovia, California, our next-door neighbor had a pool, which we could see over our fence. We longed to be in it. Our neighbor had a system whereby she would put out a white flag on a pole, indicating that all in the neighborhood were welcome to come use the pool. Children had to have a parent with them. All of our neighbors were friends, so there was lots of socializing going on those afternoons. It was unspoken that you brought your own towel, water or drinks and used the bathroom prior to coming to the pool.

We kids LOVED “White Flag Day,” and it solved the problem of people asking if they could come to use the pool.

– Thankful for a Generous Neighbor

Dear Thankful: I love this suggestion! It was a very popular one! It seems that the readership of this column is chock full of people who have Pool Flag Neighbors. Having never lived in an area with pools, this is very interesting. I’ll be sure to look out for those flags, too, this Fourth of July.

Other readers pointed out the liability pool owners assume and cautioned that the owners should think twice (at least) before letting friends use it when the owners weren’t home. The risk involved could serve as a good way of politely declining requests.