« 10 Thrifty Ways to Deal with Mosquitoes.
10 Ways to Annoy the Police. »


10 ways to be a great neighbour.

Posted in Humor.
586 views



The first step upon arrival in a new community is to make a concerted effort to introduce yourself (and family) to the houses in the close proximity. Being approachable from the start will definitely make it easier to manage potential disputes in the future, together with the added benefit of their local expertise and information. This opening introduction will also present valuable insights into their prospective lifestyles i.e. quiet evenings, party animals, night shifts etc. This initial briefing/ conversation will help you become considerate of their needs/ lifestyle, whilst they become aware of your requirements. Particular attention in early discussions should involve the common sources of neighbour conflict including noise disturbance, wall vibration, pet problems, land rights, or parking disputes.

  1. Say hello. It seems like so little, but really, it means a lot. Just a simple greeting shows that you’re open to getting to know your neighbours.
  2. Make the first move. So you’re shy. You’re not the only one. It’s scary to extend your hand in friendship when you’re unsure, but you’ll never know how you’ll be received unless you try.
  3. Be a party planner. “You need to create opportunities to bring people together,” says Vander Plaat. Yard sales, street parties, and backyard barbeques — all you need is a fun idea that will get people out of their houses. (Check out Bonnie Stern’s entertaining basics and Easy entertaining for more advice.)

    4. Good neighbours will generally keep noise to a minimum between 8pm and 8am, keep vibrating household appliances (washing machine, TV, speakers) away from shared walls, and ensure control of their pet’s and children.

  4. Offer your services. If you notice the family down the road is gearing up for a summer road trip, offer to water their plants or collect their mail. Opening the door for helping each other is a positive way to interact with your neighbours.

    5. If you’re planning a party, make sure to give your neighbours plenty of advance warning, leave a telephone number for contact purposes if they require you to quieten down.

  5. Discuss the issues. Whether it’s the increased level of crime or the potholes in the road, call a neighbourhood meeting. Getting people together to discuss things that affect them marks you as a group.

    6. Alternatively you could invite them along! Good neighbours will always stick to the agreed arrangements, and will make sure the guests are considerate when leaving the house.

  6. Create a safe place. Neighbourhood watch programs are popular for a reason. If the neighbourhood children know where to go in case of an emergency, everyone can breathe easier about letting little ones play outside.

    7. Other neighbourly good practice include the proper maintenance of your garden, comprising of regular weeding, cutting the lawn, and generally keeping rubbish to a minimum. Other garden activities such as playing sport, barbecues or bonfires should be managed in an orderly fashion including thinking about the bonfire’s position, smoke and noise levels, and generally keeping disturbances to a minimum.

  7. Get the whole family involved. “In the developing world, lots of communities centre around children’s sports,” says Vander Plaat. Organize intramurals or tournaments for the children, and create an opportunity for grownups to make connections as well.
  8. Be welcoming. When someone new moves in next door, make every effort to include him or her in neighbourhood activities.

    9. Other neighbourly traits to consider include putting the rubbish out on the correct collection day in order not to attract vermin or block other people’s access.

  9. Be discreet. Every family has their troubles; if a neighbour confides in you, keep it to yourself. Allowing secrets to spread throughout the street is only going to ensure people stay indoors, and keep their mouths shut.

    10. Leaving rubbish out unnecessarily can carry a fine so make you use your wheelie bin or communal bin area.

  10. Get involved. Find out what’s already happening in your area, and become a part of it. Once you’re a part of food drives, book clubs or after-school programs (Volunteering 101: How to get started), you’re more likely to be a part of what makes your community tick.

Lastly, make sure that you communicate well with your neighbours. Keep them informed of anything you are planning that may affect them, and be prepared to discuss any problems in order to reach a compromise. However, if you keep to the guidelines outlined within this short article, you should not have any problems with neighbours. You never know, your neighbours might become some of your closest friends… [read more]

Being a social neighbour may sound scary to those who are shy, but creating a community that’s welcoming, safe and fun is worth it. So, the next time you pick up the morning paper, keep your head up, look around and greet your neighbours. With just a few small gestures, the street your house is built on could become a thriving community you’re happy to come home to each day.

Autor: Saabji.
Source: funoverfun.com


Technorati Tags: community, neighbour, hello, family, welcoming

If you liked this tutorial, add us to:

Digg.com | Netscape.com | Del.icio.us | Reddit.com | Stumbleupon.com | Google.com | Yahoo.com

Related posts:
One Response to “10 ways to be a great neighbour.”
29 August, 2008, 6:10 pm

Monika :


I’m very impressed by all the thoughts and insights that went into this post. If you want a good laugh, this is the article to do it.

Leave a Reply