Sometimes we meet our neighbors in ways we could never predict both good, not-so-good, and everything in between. Transplanted “Yankee” neighbors, like my aunt and her family, met their Georgia neighbors through the unfortunate circumstances of a house fire.
Other times, we meet our neighbors because of either close proximity, similar interests, at the local market, places of worship, clubs, sports leagues, town halls, restaurants, property disputes, the community center, doing yard work, starting a home construction project, or, if you live in areas where I live, we simply meet them on the lake.
Then there are the times when we can come together with our neighbors over a natural disaster that struck the neighborhood, a severe storm while cleaning up the fallen tree branches (just did that last week!), or while helping each other during a power outage after a massive thunderstorm in Michigan or a hurricane in Florida.
Either way, there are numerous ways to meet and get to know our neighbors. However, one of my favorite ways I had the pleasure of meeting my neighbors was when my boys were elementary school age, and they were Cub Scouts selling popcorn during the annual fundraiser. By the way, Girl Scouts sell cookies, and the boys sell popcorn. Let’s just say it was a much harder sell with that expensive, albeit delicious popcorn.
Instead of just handing over their sales sheets to their parents to take to our places of work, or only calling family members for the sure sale, I taught my sons how to go on foot (walk), go door to door, pitch their product to the homeowner face-to-face, fill out their info on the sales sheet, make the sale, and inform them when to expect delivery of the popcorn.
It did not end there. Once the popcorn was delivered in bulk to our Cub Scout Pack, we referred back to our sales sheets, matched up the product to each customer, and then hand-delivered their purchases.
These efforts not only taught them:
- Responsibility to their pack
- Sales skills
- Customer service
- Assertiveness
- Organization
- Respect for people’s property (during our approach to their home, we were careful not to walk across their flower beds, on their lawn, etc.)
- How to handle rejection and not take it personally
But it was also instrumental in building their character, self-esteem, and healthy pride, and it gave them the courage to step out of their comfort zone at a young age. They each started selling popcorn door-to-door as early as seven years old in first grade when they were a Tiger Cub.
Most importantly, we got to know our neighbors, which we otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do. Furthermore, it was really cool for our neighbors to see kids out there fundraising in an old-school way.
Although I stood behind them and didn’t send them unaccompanied by an adult, everyone mentioned how great it was to see my sons making the effort on their own, year after year. Plus, how can you say no to those cute faces in their Cub Scout uniform? We built up quite a list of regular customers over the seven years we sold that popcorn. And today, we are still friends with those neighbors who were once our customers!
10 ways to be a good neighbor
Before and after, we have established relationships with our neighbors; continuing to be a good neighbor is essential to creating harmony, peace, and happiness within the neighborhood, as well as keeping it safe and clean for all.
From the top of my head, here are some ways I believe we can be good neighbors to each other:
- Keep landscaping, yards, and trees trimmed, clean, and beautified, removing overgrown foliage, diseased trees, shrubs, etc.
- Maintain your property grounds, keeping them free of rubbish, non-working vehicles or tools, infectious pests or rodents, garbage, etc.
- Do safety/ well checks on elderly neighbors; offer to help with tasks
- Keep your noise levels respectful
- Wave hello!
- Keep pets safe by staying on your own property, make sure their waste is cleaned up and not on other neighbors’ property or communal areas, ensure dogs are trained, up to date on shots and licensing, do not have excessive barking issues, are not aggressive to other neighbors, their pets or children, and at the very least, behave respectfully in the neighborhood on walks or while in their yard as people walk by
- Do not house an excessive number of pets (unfortunately, we have someone who is not very neighborly with more than twenty cats that are not vaccinated, leave their droppings on other neighbors’ properties, are spreading diseases to other animals, riling up and taunting neighbors’ dogs and are left unsupervised)
- Keep home up to date, up to code, and maintained properly
- Be kind and courteous
- Host block parties and getting-to-know-you parties with a potluck menu
- Do not leave personal items in shared community spaces (unfortunately, the sibling of the person with all the feral cats has been squatting and leaving their water toys all over our community dock). They have been lying to the neighborhood that it is their property, but after a little digging from a new neighbor that is a realtor, it was found that while they do own a parcel next to it, the larger area and the dock belong to the neighborhood)
- Be helpful when applicable (jump-start a neighbor’s vehicle, shovel an elderly neighbor’s walkway and driveway, tow in a neighbor’s boat if it breaks down on the lake, etc.).
For example, living in the Lakes Area of Oakland County, Michigan, we have many opportunities to be helpful to our neighbors with watercrafts. Lots of people and businesses possess the knowledge to appraise boats, shrink wrap them, maintain and repair their marine engines, restore vinyl seats, as well as expertise in canvas boat cover repairs, hauling pontoons, and, of course, multiple small companies that offer dock installation in the spring and removal in the fall.
What is the golden rule for neighbors?
The golden rule is simple – whether they are neighbors in close proximity, are bordering countries (hey Canada!), or people across the globe: treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Communicate respectfully. Be considerate. Be respectful. Welcome those who are different than you. Basically, above all else, if you have nothing to contribute to the community, at the very least, don’t contaminate it with negative energy, trashy, inconsiderate behavior, bullying the vulnerable, or unkindness toward those less fortunate.
I liked this list from India Times about seven golden rules to follow with neighbors, which states, “Residing within a community comes with the significance of cultivating positive and functional ties with our neighbors. The dynamic we establish with those living nearby bears substantial influence on the overall quality of our communal existence. In absence of family or friends, our neighbors are also our first cry of help.
- Mutual Respect
- Noise
- Gossiping
- Communicate well
- Offer assistance
- Cleanliness
- Introduce yourself,”.
Meet the neighbors
In conclusion, meeting our neighbors often starts with one small effort, but it can grow into stronger relationships, safer communities, and lasting friendships.