Neighbourliness

Is that even a word?

This will be my 3rd Christmas in this area.

The first Christmas, I took great delight in hand delivering some homemade cards to my immediate neighbours (that means two to the left; two to the right and all opposite - bear in mind "opposite" is subjective because between me and the "two to the left" means a tennis court size "opposite").

Now, when I was growing up, any "new" neighbour was greeted by the residents either when they arrived, or, at a seasonal event (whichever was most appropriate). Nonetheless, I felt no qualms being the instigator.

That 1st Christmas, only 2 neighbours (one to the right and one directly opposite) reciprocated. Fair enough; I'm not out to score brownie points, merely being "neighbourly".

Same thing happened last year. Fair enough, not everyone is of the same ilk.

But, this year, it has got me thinking! (Oh dear, dangerous Mum, very, veeeeery dangerous ).

You cannot escape news items which bemoan the "loss" of community; yet, here is an ideal opportunity, offered on a plate, for my immediate "community" to feel a sense of belonging. One which has, so far, been quite miniscule in its reciprocation.

So, the question begs to be asked: you get a card from a new neighbour - you neglect to respond; why?

 

A most excellent question Mum. I can think of several possible answers.

* You weren't expecting them, so you haven't bought enough cards to go round.
* You're in one of the religions that take offence at christmas cards (my wife's granny got a snotty note from their new neighbour in response to a christmas card, having a go about false prophets and commercialism etc, from their very religious new neighbour).
* You mean to, but forget, or just don't get round to it with everything else that's going on.


I think that last point is probably the most likely one in most cases.

 

It's a real word.......
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/_/dict.aspx?word=neighbourliness
And you're a nice lady!

 

We always do the welome bit and have some good get togethers with the neighbours...Unless it's the one with the thumping great 12ft trampoline hanging over our fence

 

Hmm! (Neighbour to the right has tramp .... but, they always respond! ) I'm clearly "groomed"

 

I'd rather have a 'tramp' hanging over the fence than that thing

 

Well, in that case, loli ... I'll be your 'tramp' (for a Christmas card and a spot of neighbourliness )

 

Had a few Christmas cards from a neighbour but the bloke is a complete .......

 

The only neighbours I get Christmas cards from are my next door neighbour and my muslim neighbours over the road

 

I'm stuck what to put on my neighbour's card. To <his name> and the many women who come at all hours of the night?

Will be giving out 6 cards on my street, most of them we get on with really really well. We've been told by other neighbours which ones don't give out Christmas cards back so we don't bother.

 

Been here ten years and the only ones that have made any effort is the ones across the way from us. Other than that, we try to get others involved, but no spirit here. Will try again this year, who knows???

 

We just send to either side-
one is my landlord, and the gentleman on the other side is a very nice elderly man, with his single/divorced son living with him- he lost his wife unexpectedly this time last year, and his dog died Xmas eve last year as well. Poor fella.
He saves me jars, toilet rolls and anything I need for my gardening needs, I reciprocate making him jam/marmalade.

This is only our second Xmas here, though we do know a few of the other neighbours, we do not send them cards.