HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS
By gifana
@gifana (4833)
Portugal
December 1, 2006 8:15pm CST
I am a foreigner in my neighborhood. I know most of the residents in my building (36 apts) and I speak to them when we meet in the building. My neighborhood is about 4 square blocks of high rise apt buildings. I am well known and many of the those I meet on the street will greet me as do I them. Many people who I don't know will also have a greeting and some even call me by name...altho I don't know their's. I make it a point to talk to just about everyone in the local café and they with me. I believe that in order to fit in one must communicate and be friendly. I have made many very good friends of all ages. The kids have no trouble talking to me and some even ask me for advice. About the only think I don't do (which is a custom here in Portugal) is greet them with a kiss on both cheeks. I do it if they do it first but I am never the first one. As you can see we have a nice neighborhood and fortunately for me I am accepted.
2 people like this
22 responses
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
7 Dec 06
Guess nobody wants to take the first step in getting acquainted. It's a shame....you could be missing out on good thing. Also knowing someone close by and being a friend could ease one's mind in knowing that if a crisis occurred that friend was close by....an vice versa. Thanks for dropping by with your input.
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
7 Dec 06
We live a bit of a nomadic life but have a base where we return to in between our trips. This is in a rural area, and the nearest neighbours are relatively close. We know them very well indeed, and in fact they check on the place when we are away to make sure that everything is okay. The next nearest neighbours are about 5km away, and although we know them it is not very well. Living in a rural environment is a lot different to living in a city though.
2 people like this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
7 Dec 06
I know where you are coming from. I live a great deal of my childhood in rural areas. We knew each other and we/they were always ready to help if the need arose. There was usually an annual get together to catch up and get together with those who we saw less frequent. Thanks for dropping by with your input.
1 person likes this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
2 Dec 06
My neighborhood is great! We live in a development of 123 homes. We've been here 16 years now and have seen so many children born since then and now they're almost grown up. We're one of the "older" couples here, but we're always part of the crowd. We have block parties on the 4th of July and New Year's Eve so that the younger parents don't need a babysitter. No one needs to get out on the road on those nights either. We have plenty of good food, music and a few TVs for everyone to watch while they party (something for everyone). I have keys to the houses of at least 3 or 4 neighbors and they have keys to my house. We watch each other's houses when someone goes on vacation and pick up their mail for them. Whoever is on vacation always brings a gift back to the neighbor watching their house. It's a great place to live. I know most of the neighbors since I've been on the homeowners association for years and we always welcome new owners to the neighborhood.
1 person likes this
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
3 Dec 06
Thanks for the blue ribbon. When we picked out our lot to have our house built, I picked one in the same position as the one our house was on where I grew up. We had the best neighbors there...just like you described. We never locked our door either, unless we were leaving town. It turned out to be the best decision when we moved here. People that live more than 5 or 6 houses from us or on the street north of us come over for the block parties and always say they wished they lived closer.
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
3 Dec 06
Now that's what I call a community. Wish it was contagious. Sounds like my neighborhood when I was a kid. Of course, we didn't have to give out keys because we never locked the door....only when we were going away for a while...then we would leave the keys with one of the neighbors in case of emergency. Sounds like a ball...wish I could be there for New Year's Eve. I'm not a party goer but your neighborhood seems like it would really rock and roll. As always, claudia, thanks for dropping by. wish I still had a Best Response to give out but Ill give you the next best thing.
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
3 Dec 06
I know where you are coming from. When I was younger I was that way too. However I got over it slowly but surely and I'm sure glad I did. That first step is the hardest but with a little effort a "hello, how are you" is sometimes enough to break the ice and lead to some good friends. Thanks for your input and for dropping by.
@meghanus007 (622)
• India
3 Dec 06
I know them well but not much about their family...we are in good relation
@tba123 (457)
• United States
25 Dec 06
on our block there is 3 houses on this side besides ours. We know them but don't know them, we know their names but don't associate with them.
the other side of the road we do know the neighbors better but we don't really associate with them a lot. We say hi in passing and will talk to them sometimes but not much. Everyone kinds stays to themselves.
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
25 Dec 06
Well at least everyone seems friendly although elusive. Sometimes it's a good thing to have more contact with at least one neighbor in case of emergency...you never know when you might need their help. Thanks for dropping in and for your input. Merry Christmas.
@ChewySpree (1832)
• United States
2 Dec 06
It sounds like you live in a nice neighborhood. I live in suburbia and each house is on a lot of about 1/2 acre. I'm on a corner lot so I really only have 2 homes adjacent to me and 3 others in plain view. I know all these neighbors and we talk to each other when we see each other, which isn't all that often, maybe every 2 weeks. It's an established neighborhood and most of my neighbors have lived here for over 10 years; I have been here for 6. I really don't know most of the other people in the neighborhood by name, though.
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
2 Dec 06
Well, not knowing all the names is not that unusual. Sometimes it takes borrowing a cup of sugar, or picking up a package someone has dropped, or whatever to break the ice. Many times we look for a reason to speak to someone but then the opportunity never presents itself. But it's good that there is peace and harmony in your neighbor and you do not have to feel unsecure. Thanks for your input and for dropping by. Always nice to see your responses.
@anulakhani (873)
• India
2 Dec 06
i dont knw thm much...coz im nt home for most of the time...so dnt get to meet thm much
1 person likes this
@DanKannel (1063)
• Brazil
2 Dec 06
i leave in one of 10 building (14 floor)... and i do not meet much people.. but all of them know me... include my name... that´s weird.. but fun...
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
2 Dec 06
Don't any of you try to start a little bit of small talk to pass the time going up and down in the elevator or do you all just stare at the backs of their heads? Perhaps if a few broke the ice there would be more fraternization and enjoyable get togethers. Who knows. Thank you for your input and dropping by.
@urzicutza (1971)
• Romania
2 Dec 06
well i dont know my nabors because i just moved here,but i dont really vant tho know them!
i had alitle i cident on my firs day here with a dam flower!
i just went down stairs for the rest of the stuf and when i came back whone old women from thie blok asked me why i borked the flower
i sad what?i did even know what was she talking about!
she sad that i am the knew one here and i a probabli the only person who could do this!
i was so angry and upsat...and from that day every time when i see her i sont even say hello
i know is rude butt hate that ald lady!
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
2 Dec 06
That's a little harsh don't you think. Perhaps it might be nice to take a little bouquet of flowers over to her and appologize for the misunderstanding. It might make your daily life a little more pleasureable. It is often we who have to make the first move because all the others might be like you. And then where are you? Appreicate your input and thanks for dropping by (as a good neighbor does).
@gabrriella_a (453)
• Romania
2 Dec 06
unfortunatelly I leave at work 9 am and i am back at 8 pm so I don't really have the time to know them.. Only a few families that have kids of mykid age, or myhusband made friends with.... that's all!!
1 person likes this
@arman9890 (452)
• India
2 Dec 06
oh yeah? great.. nice to hear that friend.. What is there we need to discuss about this?
1 person likes this
@insomni4k (424)
• Indonesia
2 Dec 06
my neighbours just like my friends, and some others like my family, they are close to me.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 Dec 06
I hardly know my neighbors at all. If they came to my door, I likely would not even recognize their face. The only time I've ever seen a neighbor over within the last year, was when someone received a puppy for Christmas and it would not stop barking all night long. They brought everyone some type of present so that we'd put up with the dog. When we first moved here, some of the neighbors would have parties. But most of our neighbors speak little English and tend to keep to themselves. I kind of envy people who actually know their neighbors. But I guess this is better than having a rotten neighbor that always gets in your way.
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
2 Dec 06
It's sad when we don't know our neighbors. I remember when I was in Washington I didn't know anyone in the apt complex accept my next door neighbor and then we only said hi when we met. Kind of shows a lack of community when we or they don't make an effort to get to know one another. As for the dog, at least your neighbor had the courtesy of admitting the dog was disturbing the pease. Nice gesture. Appreciate your input. Thanks for dropping in again.
@bujjidhadha (115)
• India
2 Dec 06
i know my neighbors very well infact my neighbour is my best sister friend
1 person likes this
@lossforredwords (3620)
• Philippines
2 Dec 06
actually i know them by name but i dont really have trust with them.. i dont know its just that i see somthing to them that tells me nothings good about them.
1 person likes this
