Whether you live in the heart of the city, a small town or somewhere in between, learning the art of being neighbourly will enrich your life and help you maintain long-lasting, positive relationships with your neighbours. To have good neighbours, you have to be a good neighbour yourself. Listed are five ways for you to get along with your neighbours.
Actions speak louder than words
Offer a helping hand when you can. People tend to remember actions better than words, so this is an excellent way to establish good rapport.
Whether you are helping an older neighbour carry his or her groceries or delivering mail that was misdelivered, voluntary acts of kindness go a long way in building good relationship among neighbours.
Handling conflicts prudently
There will always be that particular occasion when your neighbour does something that gets on your nerves. Try being the bigger person and let it go. Some things are not worth fussing over.
But if their actions disrupt your peace daily, approach your neighbour directly and let them know what is bothering you in a calm manner. This should be done face-to-face as the message you want to convey can be easily misconstrued if done through text.
Invite them over
If you’re new to the neighbourhood, a friendly smile or hello is a great way to portray yourself as a warm and welcoming person. When you run into someone new in the neighbourhood, introduce yourself and get to know them better.
If you meet people who have just moved in, bringing over a small gift, or even baked goods is a thoughtful way to welcome them.
Be a responsible party host
Keep music at a reasonable noise level. If you plan on hosting a party, invite your neighbours over as well. This will help you earn those sweet brownie points, and you might even be able to keep the party going on for a while longer.
Another aspect of parties that are frequently overlooked is the parking for guests. You wouldn’t want your neighbour huffing over the fact that one of your guests is blocking his driveway. Thus, if possible, consider hiring a valet service during parties.
Responsible Pet Owner
Pets can be a big bone of dissension and cause friction between neighbours. If something happens sporadically- loud barks in the middle of the night or poop on your lawn - take a deep breath and let it go. If it is a persistent reoccurring issue, explain calmly to your neighbour. Pet owners can be defensive over their pets so you should take a softer approach.
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