Rudeness - Repost from WordPress

When my husband and I bought our first place (a condo), we thought it would be great to make friends with all the neighbors, but it didn't really happen. In our new neighborhood we've had a lot more luck, in part, I'm sure, because the neighborhood actually is *new*, so there are new people moving in all the time.

Also, though, we put flyers on the neighbors' doors and hosted a BYOB party in our front yard last spring. Tons of people came by, even if it was just for a few minutes, to introduce themselves. Since then, our neighborhood has hosted a ton of block parties and a bunch of us became really friendly. That party gave people a chance to be social if they wanted, but didn't make anyone step outside their comfort zone (like our weird next door neighbors). Plus, holding it in the front yard meant nobody went into our house -- great when you don't really know the guests!

Kristen

www.jeez-o-petes.com ( http://www.jeez-o-petes.com )

That's bad. A friend of mine suspects her neighbours robbed her, or helped friends of theirs rob her, as it happened on the only night she and her husband were away from home the whole time they lived in that apartment.

Contributing Editor Sassymonkey also blogs at Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.ca ) and Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.ca ).

Thanks for the support... I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one that has either had bad neighbors already in the neighborhood or bad new neighbors. It was just disappointing, like margopego noted, it's a sad commentary on the current situation of relationships.

Worst neighbors ever award. oy, that's bad!

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net/ )

Our next door neighbor stole our car. Yeah, it was awesome.

Thea habitually blogs at Nutgraf.net ( http://nutgraf.net/ ) and Cute or HR? ( http://cuteorhr.com/ )

I sort of miss the days where you could be like, "You like Barbies? I LIKE BARBIES! OMG, we're best friends now." It's so much harder when you're a grownup!

We moved into a new neighborhood a little over a year ago, and got a pretty lukewarm reception. We've gotten to know our neighbors since then and have met some lovely people, but not before receiving an anonymous note telling us to clean the junk out of our garage so we can stop parking in the driveway. (Among other things.)

I'm always envious of people who have AMAZING neighborhoods - the kind where people barbecue together and hang out in the street watching the kids play and all of that.

http://www.helloladies.com

Personally, I prefer not to get close to the neignbors - too close for comfort. But I must say, I too am baffled by people who don't share their names. I encounter this all the time - at my childrens' schools - volunteering or just waiting for the bus. I say hello, give my name, extend my hand and all I get back is "Hi" no name, no handshake, no nothing. Bizarre.

On the infrequent days I ever think I will someday own a house... I worry about the neighbor thing in the other way. I like feeling somewhat anonymous in my apartment. I like not having to deal with my neighbors beyond an occasional hello in the hallway. I have plenty friends - friends I don't have to see when I don't want to.

Now, maybe it's better and wonderful to know your neighbors and be part of a community. But for someone who hasn't had that for - well, ever - it's a shock to the system. Maybe he's just getting used to the house/community/know your neighbors thing. If I ever move into a house, I know that will be a HUGE adjustment for me.

Liz Rizzo ( http://blogher.org/blog/liz-rizzo )

I blog at Everyday Goddess ( http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/ ).

Good for you! They're missing out on those brownies & some good neighbours. It really is sad, though, how much less neighbourly people are these days. When growing up, my family & I knew everyone in all but one or two homes in our neighbourhoods, & even those people weren't as rude as the guy you encountered. Nowadays, I do know the people in the house right beside me & the people across the street, but it's not the same as it once was. If someone's in trouble, could neighbours really be counted on to help nowadays? Not for the most part, & that's a very sad commentary on our times.

At least you put yourself out there, though, & that shows that at least you & your hubby have it right. :)
Blessings,
Michelle :)

Meeting the neighbors isn't the way it used to be - or the way it's portrayed in books or on TV. Hell, we've lived here for two years and the only exchanges we have had with our neighbors have been... unpleasant, to put it mildly.

I don't know why people aren't friendly anymore. Too busy? Too hung up in their own world's?

Enjoy your brownies.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net/ )

Maybe he gets socially awkward in new-people situations? Like I do? Maybe no one had ever extended him a welcome into a new neighborhood. Maybe he's like my husband and is used to his fiancee doing all the talking?

Whatever the case, you're still an awesome person for having taken him brownies, box mix or not. Remind yourself of that and keep on keeping on. :)

Jenna Hatfield (@FireMom ( http://twitter.com/FireMom )), from Stop, Drop and Blog ( http://stopdropandblog.com ) and The Chronicles of Munchkin Land ( http://thechroniclesofmunchkinland.com ), is a freelance writer and newspaper photographer.

I swear to be more polite than your new neighbour. I just hope no one approaches me on moving day because moving stresses me the heck out...unless they bring me wine. Then I'll be their BFF.

Contributing Editor Sassymonkey also blogs at Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.ca ) and Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.ca ).

Not that my new neighbors are all so bad. But from what I understand, they were all pratically in love with the previous owners and wish they hadn't left. So that means we're what? Chopped liver? Many of them haven't made an ounce of effort to even say hi to us since we moved in last November. Fail.

I'm sure your brownies were delicious!