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I was walking down the street with a friend of mine and he asked me how my neighbors were. He wanted to know all about them but I could not reply to his question. Other than one neighbor I can not even tell you what the people's names are. I wish I knew, but ever since I moved in I have not had any friendly social contact with the neighbors.
It seems kind of strange to me to be so close to people physically day in and day out and not know anything about them. I have approached each and every one during the last 8 years and have got nothing but a gruff hello and a stare indicating they do not know why I am bothering to approach them. So I gave up.
Please tell me how well you know your neighbors on your street. If you do not know them, why? (Please do not tell me you are to busy, because that would not be true)
I was walking down the street with a friend of mine and he asked me how my neighbors were. He wanted to know all about them but I could not reply to his question. Other than one neighbor I can not even tell you what the people's names are. I wish I knew, but ever since I moved in I have not had any friendly social contact with the neighbors.
It seems kind of strange to me to be so close to people physically day in and day out and not know anything about them. I have approached each and every one during the last 8 years and have got nothing but a gruff hello and a stare indicating they do not know why I am bothering to approach them. So I gave up.
Please tell me how well you know your neighbors on your street. If you do not know them, why? (Please do not tell me you are to busy, because that would not be true)
I don't know their names, but I have quite a few candid pictures I took through their windows.
Seriously, I know what you mean...people just don't do the neighbor thing much these days, more than a, "Hi, how ya doin?". Pretty sad, isn't it?
first off, I live in a private community where less than 1/2 live full time here. I am surrounded by vacant houses for most if not all of the year. I have come to dislike it. I want to walk out the front door and say "Good morning" to someone...anyone! Aside from that, the house next to me is occupied by weekenders, they just built last year. They are a real nice bunch of people, and always greet my husband and I by name. The problem...we see them every weekend, there are a few women, possibly sister, and we're not sure how many men, but at this point, how do you say "What are your names again...?"
We'd like to know, but are too embarassed to ask. Same goes for our new weekend neighbors across the street. Theyintroduced themselves once, but we can't remember their names...they remember ours though...
I have to say that I recently found out I know more neighbors than the other neighbors do, LOL. I often have "down the street" neighbors asking me about my next door neighbors and vice versa. I have always been someone that everyone talks to - and believe me, there are times when I wish this wasn't so! I guess I have a bit of a knack for small talk, and expanding conversations... so people tend to gravitate towards me. This is why I know so many.
If you are trying to get to know neighbors, PETS are a great topic of interest. If you see someone walking their dog, comment on how cute the dog is or some such thing (whether you think so or not, heh heh) and very often a conversation will start. I have a pug, and it seems many people find this an interesting thing (not sure why?!) but this also has caused me to meet many people, out for walks, etc.
I also have to credit one of my immediate neighbors for having a small get-together every summer for people on our street - yet I have been surprised that they are "selective" as to whom they invite. Not EVERYONE on the street gets invited!! I have yet to see some of the others I know on the street to be part of the party. They are very conservative and religious, so perhaps this is why... although I often joke they must think my husband and I are pagan alcoholics :P I say this only because we enjoy the occasional wine or beer, and we don't attend church regularly. They are teetotalers whose whole life is their church. they still invite us, though! And when they found out we are moving they kept saying what great neighbors we were, and how they would miss us. Go figure.
AND - I might add that this is all in Lancaster County which has been accused of being unfriendly on the PA forums.
Believe it or not we just hosted a "get to know your neighbor" potluck bbq just yesterday! We moved to our current home just over a year ago and because we travel so much only recently have we been home on the weekends to get to know our neighbors. Anyway I do like to know my neighbors, at least their names and numbers and if they are open to socializing that is great too. We had 7 families over for a fun potluck hang out and it was great fun, we even roasted marshmellows and made smores for the kids! I wish more people made the effort to get to know eachother, its comforting to know other people will look out for you, your home, your kids, etc.
My neighbor on the right side of the house, we are close to her and her name is Anne. We cook out together, son cuts her grass... dh is friends with the neighbor next to her... so many people move in and out of the house to the left I cant keep up, and since C-D I have my friends here... heehee
If you are trying to get to know neighbors, PETS are a great topic of interest. If you see someone walking their dog, comment on how cute the dog is or some such thing (whether you think so or not, heh heh) and very often a conversation will start. I have a pug, and it seems many people find this an interesting thing (not sure why?!) but this also has caused me to meet many people, out for walks, etc.
Well, pets certainly seem to do the trick. I'm really not that comfortable around most folks, (not their fault, necessarily, that's just how I am), but since I started taking my miniature horse out into the front yard, I've had more people wave, smile, stop to say something, or even get out and want to pet him, and/or take his picture, (good heavens! You'd think I had an elephant out there!). I can't say that I'm real crazy about it, but it's good for him, to see vehicles and such, and to be around people, so I'm usually pretty patient about it. I still don't really know any of my neighbors, as such, but they sure are friendly, now!
I've lived in my home now for 7 years and have outgrown it and desperately need more space but I hesitate to sell because I love my immediate neighbors and couldn't imagine having better ones.
We're an odd mix- I'm single/divorced mom of a teen, next door is an empty nester couple, other side of me is a couple in their 80s, and across the street is another empty nester couple and a couple with kids a little older than mine.
We share lawn services, watch each other's animals and all have keys to each other's homes.... my elderly neighbor comes to my son's baseball games, the teenage girl across the street drives my son when I can't do it, and we get together a few times a year for parties and barbecues. It sounds silly but among the 5 families, there are 10 dogs and for the most part, they are all buddies too.
I feel blessed to be surrounded by people I can depend on as if they were family.
I know the names of most and care for very few. I am surrounded by the rudest, most inconsiderate bunch of dolts on the planet.
It wasn't like this when we first moved in (new housing area), but so many of the originals left and their replacements are, I don't know, lacking in social skills perhaps.
We used to sit in our driveway after work and end up with 30 people easily. Adults, children, folks who were just walking by from a few streets over. Out came food and drinks from everyone's houses and we had a blast!
All anyone had to do was be in the mood, sit their driveway, and wait.
I know most of my neighbors and NO, I am NOT a busybody! LOL
In fact, we are having dinner this week at the next door neighbor's house.
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This is why I know so many.
