Question of The Day. Saturday the 4th of April.

Norachan · Apr 3, 2015

Hi, Happy Saturday.

How well do you know your neighbours? Do you get on well with them, just say Hi when you meet or do you try to avoid them?

I don't have many neighbours that are here all year round. Most people who have houses here use them as summer cottages. My closest year-round neighbour lives about a mile from me. I sometimes see her while we're waiting for the bus and we chat about our gardens. It's good to know someone who understands the pain of having your tulip beds uprooted and eaten by wild boar.

Winchester · Apr 4, 2015

We know the people around us, but pretty much only on our side of the road. To the west of us is an older retired couple and he would do anything he could for us. They're sweeties. To the east of us is a fairly young couple who just moved in last summer. They're really nice and have two dogs. They're from down south and this was their first real winter.....they got a doozie of winter introduction! We don't really interact at all with anybody across the road (long story).

We don't really interact with our neighbors all that much. If we're outside and see them, we'll walk over and chat for a while. They'll come over to us to sit and have a cold drink with us. If we knew they needed help, though, we'd do anything we could to help them out. And they would, too. We share plants and flowers, too; if we have something new, once it propagates and we have enough, I'll give some to him. He does the same for us. He gave us a young tree one time that he didn't like; Rick planted it and, years later, our neighbor is rather sorry he gave it to us as it's turned into a lovely tree.

When we were getting our shed, we knew the truck would have to go on our neighbor's property, so Rick asked them if that would be OK. Of course, it was no problem at all. We said we'd fix any yard problems from the truck being there, but fortunately, there were no issues. And I took a container of cookies over to thank them.

pinkdagger · Apr 4, 2015

I know one other person on my floor, others prefer to keep to themselves even if we share an elevator. I know a couple other people in the building that I met through the rental office and work, but that's it. I don't know anyone in the neighbourhood here.

At home with my parents, we always knew our neighbours, not just next door but we were familiar with at least half the people on the street.

larussa · Apr 4, 2015

I talk and email to one of my neighbors, the others I just say Hi to when I see them.

denice · Apr 4, 2015

I live in an apartment complex in one of the buildings that is all one bedrooms so I don't really know the neighbors. I always speak when I see a neighbor outside so as far as I know no one has any issues with me. I think that would be a horrible position to be in, being at odds with a neighbor.

betsygee · Apr 4, 2015

We live on a cul-de-sac with not many neighbors. Our next door neighbor is a very good friend--she used to work for the SPCA and is the one who hooked us up with our three cats. She calls herself their Auntie!

Our cat Zoe LOVES her--if Zoe is outside when our neighbor comes out of her house, she will run over to their driveway for some scritches and petting from Auntie. It's too cute.

We're on good terms with the other neighbors, and everyone is cooperative in emergencies, like when trees fall during the winter and need to be dealt with, but we don't really socialize with them.

Draco · Apr 4, 2015

I live in a condo- and I see my neighbors. They are all nice, I am good friends with three as well as the maint. Guy. One neighbor snowbirds to florida and we keep in touch with phone calls.

One neighbor who lives above me I avoid- they are a strange bunch and I always hear them yelling at each other

fhicat · Apr 4, 2015

Apartment complex, half the people here are college kids, so it's very transitory. I'm friends with my upstairs neighbors ever since the day their toilet water ate through the ceiling plaster and fell into MY bathroom.

betsygee · Apr 4, 2015

FhiCat said:
I'm friends with my upstairs neighbors ever since the day their toilet water ate through the ceiling plaster and fell into MY bathroom.

Hmmm, that could make for a unique 'bonding' experience. I hope they weren't using the facilities at the time....

fhicat · Apr 4, 2015

betsygee said:
Hmmm, that could make for a unique 'bonding' experience. I hope they weren't using the facilities at the time....

There is a leak in their bathtub drain pipes which passes through my ceiling slightly before going down into the ground. The water has been pooling for some time in the space above my ceiling between our two floors. One day that part of the ceiling caved in under the weight of the pooled water, therefore sploosh. It was clear water and didn't smell super nasty (just slightly odor-ish -- maintenance said it was just from the smell in that small space), but it was still nasty.

angels mommy · Apr 4, 2015

I live in an older house that was turned into an upstairs & downstairs apartment. I am upstairs. I have a blind woman who lives downstairs. Her boyfriend is also there most of the week. They are in their late 50's to 60's I think. We are friendly. They have asked me to come down before if they needed to know what a piece of mail was or something. I do get irritated sometimes at night when they are listening to their books. Their bedroom is under mine, & I can hear it when I'm trying to sleep. You can hear a lot in this old house, it's not as insulated as a regular apartment would be. I know a lot of it is the fact that they don't like hearing their clock every hour or half hour, so they turn that function off. The problem w/ that is, they sometimes don't realize how late it is, or they just don't care. I'm not a confrontational person, so I haven't directly said anything, (plus, I have heard her talking about people before, & I would not want to get into it w/ her, & possibly make it worse!) She has asked me if I can her it before, & I have let her know that I do hear it when I am trying to sleep, since I have to get up for work in the mornings, but I think it's mostly when her boyfriend is there, because he is starting to be a little hard of hearing. They are nice people, but the loudness can be very irritating, especially if people are over, he is very loud. .....Sorry, venting a little too I guess!

Anyway, I really can't complain too too much though, it could be worse. It has been in the past, after being here for 15 yrs.

The house next door, sort of across our small parking lot, is set up the same way. I have an older lady who lives downstairs there, & she is very sweet, & we have become friends. She is pretty much house bound, having some health issues, so sometimes when I am going to the store, I will call & see if she needs anything. She has a sister who helps her out sometimes too. She has a son, but he is married & lives across town. He doesn't do much for her, & only stops by occasionally, so she is by herself most of the time. The neighbor on the other side of her helps a lot too, so that's good. The past few yrs. I have gotten her a card & a little something for Valentines day, & it makes her so happy,(& because I know her son doesn't.) We also exchange small Christmas gifts. I have gone to visit her when she has been in the hospital as well, taking her flowers.

I just don't want her to feel like she is alone. I don't even have children, & can only imagine how I would/ will feel when I am older, & by myself.

sivyaleah · Apr 4, 2015

I hardly know any of my neighbors. When we moved to this house, being upper in age in comparison to others, I guess we don't have much in common. We only have 3 direct neighbors as our house is on a corner and we live across from an elementary school. The one on the other side of our detached garage we say hi to but that's about it. His wife hasn't been as friendly nor his kids. On the other side, is a gay couple that we're pretty friendly with. We have been each other's homes, chit chat a lot etc. They have been really generous with things they grow in their garden - tons of veggies. One of this is pregnant which is very exciting! Last, on the corner opposite ours is a very obnoxious group. They leave their dog out at all hours and it barks incessantly (both of our nearer neighbors have dogs but neither of theirs causes half the problems). Also, in warm weather they play loud music to very wee hours. We're big music lovers but NOT at 2:30 am. We've had to call the cops on them several times for both reasons.

Anyone else, we wave hello to passing by but that is it other than one older guy and his wife, who walk their dog by us daily. I know him more personally as he was the realtor for the guy who owned my house. So, we did business together, and he's a real fan of our house. Nice guy.

BTW add in the fact that I'm not home most of the time (long weekdays, out at 7, not home til 7) and weekends are running errands so there really hasn't been opportunity to meet and greet.

sneakymom · Apr 4, 2015

We live in a cul-de sac. At first we weren't really friends with anyone here. Over the years we've gotten to know the people on the left hand side of us really well. I don't know what really started it, maybe it was when we all wound up at the same church 10 years ago. Sweet family. The first people who lived on the other side of us were really nice too. They moved 7 years ago, and 3 months after they moved the lady of the house passed away from cancer

I knew something was wrong with her, had no idea it was that bad. Dh and I went to calling hours.

And then there's the people who bought their house. Ugh. They make me SO MAD. Their kids are the same age as mine- and we thought "hey- friends for the girls" Um no. From day one all these kids was cause problems. The girl (a year younger than my daughter) came into the house the first day they moved in- took the iPod my daughter had for 3 months, ran outside with it and was going to "smash it on the ground" Needless to say they were never allowed in the house again. Little did we know all the problems this whole family had/has. Sigh.

Now when they cause problems both parents say "Well- they're 17 and 19, we can't control them" Um- you had no control over them as small children, why on earth you thought that would change over the years is beyond me. Heaven knows people tried and cared. There are days I just want to put the house on the market and move. Sigh.

The people on the end of the cul-de-sac have a daughter who is in high school and is friends with one of my daughter's friend's sisters. Nice family. The family across the street was where my oldest's BFF lived/lives. They're both grown now too- both in college

Cheryl

denice · Apr 4, 2015

Angels mommy said:
I live in an older house that was turned into an upstairs & downstairs apartment. I am upstairs. I have a blind woman who lives downstairs. Her boyfriend is also there most of the week. They are in their late 50's to 60's I think. We are friendly. They have asked me to come down before if they needed to know what a piece of mail was or something. I do get irritated sometimes at night when they are listening to their books. Their bedroom is under mine, & I can hear it when I'm trying to sleep. You can hear a lot in this old house, it's not as insulated as a regular apartment would be. I know a lot of it is the fact that they don't like hearing their clock every hour or half hour, so they turn that function off. The problem w/ that is, they sometimes don't realize how late it is, or they just don't care. I'm not a confrontational person, so I haven't directly said anything, (plus, I have heard her talking about people before, & I would not want to get into it w/ her, & possibly make it worse!) She has asked me if I can her it before, & I have let her know that I do hear it when I am trying to sleep, since I have to get up for work in the mornings, but I think it's mostly when her boyfriend is there, because he is starting to be a little hard of hearing. They are nice people, but the loudness can be very irritating, especially if people are over, he is very loud. .....Sorry, venting a little too I guess!

Anyway, I really can't complain too too much though, it could be worse. It has been in the past, after being here for 15 yrs.

The house next door, sort of across our small parking lot, is set up the same way. I have an older lady who lives downstairs there, & she is very sweet, & we have become friends. She is pretty much house bound, having some health issues, so sometimes when I am going to the store, I will call & see if she needs anything. She has a sister who helps her out sometimes too. She has a son, but he is married & lives across town. He doesn't do much for her, & only stops by occasionally, so she is by herself most of the time. The neighbor on the other side of her helps a lot too, so that's good. The past few yrs. I have gotten her a card & a little something for Valentines day, & it makes her so happy,(& because I know her son doesn't.) We also exchange small Christmas gifts. I have gone to visit her when she has been in the hospital as well, taking her flowers.

I just don't want her to feel like she is alone. I don't even have children, & can only imagine how I would/ will feel when I am older, & by myself.

I know each situation is different and we don't know the specifics but I hate to see people seemingly forget about their parents. If there were issues from childhood the effort should be made to resolve them before it is too late. Often though I think people get so busy with their own lives and are lulled into thinking their parents will always be there.

angels mommy · Apr 4, 2015

Denice said:
I know each situation is different and we don't know the specifics but I hate to see people seemingly forget about their parents. If there were issues from childhood the effort should be made to resolve them before it is too late. Often though I think people get so busy with their own lives and are lulled into thinking their parents will always be there.

No, I knew her son when he lived w/ her. The only issues he had was that he didn't work, & lived off of her. He met someone on line, & they married after only knowing each other for a few months. He is in his late 40's, so it was his "ticket out." Now that he is working, I hear it all goes to the new wife, as his mom has told me, he has borrowed money from her before, or gotten money from her account when she has sent him to the store w/ her debit card, & w/ out asking! She doesn't like the new wife. Never visits her w/ him, & is very much the "alpha" in the relationship. I have met her when my neighbor was in the hospital, & she does have a domineering energy about her. I just have no respect for him, when he can't even send his mom a card in the mail, if not bring her flowers, when he knows she is alone.

stewball · Apr 4, 2015

I am sort of friendly with the neighbour who's front door faces mine. We don't socialise but if anything was wrong we can go to each other, we borrow from each other, only, and return what was borrowed. There are 28 apartments in my building. Plenty know me but I have no idea who they are.
Back home in England we were friendly b with

Question of The Day. Saturday the 4th of April.

Norachan

Moderator

Thread starter

Winchester

In the kitchen with my cookies

pinkdagger

TCS Member

larussa

TCS Member

denice

TCS Member

betsygee

Just what part of meow don't you understand.

Draco

NOT Malfoy!

fhicat

TCS Member

betsygee

Just what part of meow don't you understand.

fhicat

TCS Member

angels mommy

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sivyaleah

TCS Member

sneakymom

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denice

TCS Member

angels mommy

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stewball

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