Meeting The Neighbors …
Meeting the neighbors can be awkward, let’s be real. We’ve all seen Disturbia and The Burbs … neighbors can be scary! Maybe you moved next to The Adams Family or The Stepford Wives. Talk about weird! Needless to say, meeting the neighbors can be an intimidating endeavor.
Here are a few tips to help chip away at that iceberg.
1. Introduce Yourself!
Knocking on the door of your neighbors is casual and an appropriate method of introducing yourself. If they’re already outside as you’re moving in, smile and wave – show that you’re approachable and welcoming.
2. Happy Holidays
If you moved in near the holidays, this is the perfect time to introduce yourselves with some holiday baked goods to help melt the ice and get to know one another better.
3. Recommendations?
A wonderful conversation starter that helps to release some of the tension is to ask for recommendations. This provides insight into what they like to do. Then, if you follow up with one of their recommendations (whether that be an activity to try in the area or where a good place to get dinner is), you’re able to have a conversation with them about that next time.
4. Neighborhood History
Isn’t there always some piece of neighborhood gossip? One neighbor comes out in her bathrobe to grab the mail while another one hasn’t left the house in fifteen years. Asking about the neighborhood is a great way of getting to know your neighbor and the area you live in!
5. Help!
There are endless references to neighbors. From Statefarm’s slogan to biblical references, neighbors have been an important topic of discussion for millenniums. If you see your neighbor out working on their yard or maybe they just need someone to talk to, offering help can help create a good relationship between the two of you!
Don’t be nervous about meeting your neighbors. Go introduce yourselves and let us know how it goes!
