By Eion Towle
Humans have always been living together since the early days of civilisation where communal living was integral to the survival of the species. Gone are the days of the hunter-gatherer with society becoming increasingly sophisticated but one thing has remained, humans still live closely together, which has made the creation of towns and cities possible.
When living in a community, it is common to have a neighbour who lives nearby, and although we all would want to have good people as our neighbours, sometimes it is best to become the change that you want to see and practice good habits to become a good neighbour.
Don’t shout to call someone, especially if you live in an apartment building
Raising your voice to call for someone can potentially disturb your neighbours, especially if it’s a corridor. Instead of shouting take a few steps forward and tap the person gently on his shoulder. It doesn’t strain your voice and helps you keep fit too.
Don’t drill a screw through a common wall at 12 in the morning
Carpentry work or DIY renovations are activities which can produce a significant amount of noise, and it is best to postpone it until next day. That new wall shelf or that new photo can wait for tomorrow.
In a driveway, don’t honk your horn.
The only thing you’ll achieve is receiving glares from your family and neighbours. You did, after all, just let the entire neighbourhood know you’re home.
Don’t talk outside past ten if your house is right next to your neighbour's window.
Talking loudly outside past ten at night is not advisable as you would disturb your neighbours, especially those with newborn babies. Although there are people who are unaware of this, it is fairly common however for neighbours to be considerate enough to take their conversations indoors,
Help a neighbour out whenever possible
What goes around really does come around. If you help your neighbours with simple things like lending sugar or utensils when they need it, they’ll be more willing to help you out when you request for it. Besides, there is no harm in doing a good deed, because helping each other out is the basis to create a healthy and positive community.
Keeping your living quarters clean, especially if you share yards
Nobody wants to see their yard dirty. By keeping your side of the yard clean, you also lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases and harbouring pests like rats and cockroaches. In an apartment, it is crucial that occupants keep their house clean to avoid making it reek of smell.
All in all, it doesn’t take superhuman abilities to become a good neighbour. The key is to always do unto others what you would want others to do unto you.
