A Good Fence Makes a Good Neighbor
5 Simple Tips to Being a Good Neighbor
1 - Know your boundaries:
No matter where you live, there are property boundaries, or space limitations. Stay within your space. Neighbors do not like encroachment by people, pets, auto's, bicycles or other personal property, especially trash or garbage.
2 - Mind your own business:
People living in close proximity tend to overhear or see personal conversations or actions. Do not get involved in other people's business. Outside involvement is not appreciated and the intruder usually suffers the bad consequences.
3 - Be friendly, from a distance:
Have you ever been outside trying to get work accomplished and the neighbor came over to chat? Or, it is laundry day or house cleaning day and the neighbor has camped out in the kitchen to drink coffee and whine. A wave of acknowledgment and a smile is the only greeting necessary to be a good neighbor. Respect other people's time.
4 - Keep your animals on your property:
Probably more neighbor fights have been caused by pets than any other reason. If you have pets, be a responsible pet owner. Pets should be contained on your property and disciplined. In the city the neighbors will call the police. In the country the neighbor will pay you a visit, maybe, and once your pet leaves your property, it probably will be shot. Be a responsible pet owner.
5 - Be respectful of others:
Late night parties or loud music will be tolerated on occasion. Once, a neighbor having a pool party with music and DJ for a graduating child informed all neighbors of the party. It would start at 7 p.m. and end at 11 p.m. It was a Saturday night and she respectfully asked if anyone had to arise early on a Sunday morning. This was before she scheduled the DJ. Now, that is a good neighbor. Considering how your actions will affect others is appreciated.
Conclusion:
Robert Frost was right. "Good fences make good neighbors". In the country, fences are "grandfathered in" and may not be moved. Many people have been to court or lost their lives over fences. If the fence is not yours - don't mess with it! If I know my boundaries, keep my lifestyle and possessions within those boundaries, then I should have no contentions with my neighbors.
Are you a good neighbor? (Take your own inventory on this one!)
Published by Beverly Bright
Beverly worked in Architectural drafting/design for 40 years (industrial/commercial) and owned her own business for 17 years. Retired, loving life in the country! Beverly enjoys learning, research, and has... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI have observed that people who don't know the difference between friends and neighbors don't have many friends. They unrealistically expect neighbors to take on the role of friends, to socialize whenever they are lonely, blue or feeling empty -- which, for the friendless, can be often. When neighbors don't respond to their advances, they may be seen as cold, even hostile. That perceived rejection can beget anger -- in the worst cases, retaliation by harassment. Bullying to force attention. To the unbalanced, hatred is preferable to indifference.
But what are the odds neighbors have anything in common with you? Chances are their age, education, background and interests are very different. To try to force socialization would be like expecting comraderie from the next table at McDonald's -- an entirely random assemblage of humanity. In a restaurant situation, one expects to eat in peace. Digestion depends on it. In a neighborhood situation, one expects to live in peace. A pleasant life depends on it. On the rare occasions where friendship flourishes between houses, great. But for the most part, good neighbors accept the limits of random proximity, never overstepping respect into annoyance. They know that boundary lines separate lives, not just properties.
Very good advice. But we're fortunate to have very good neighbors. The next-door neighbor and I built a park on joint property between our driveways, and watch the other's place when one of us goes out of town. We feel really blessed.
I need to send this to my neighbor. She thinks she's in control, but she's really just nuts! Excellent advice.
Thank you, what a great article! Number 1 on the wish-list is usually "Privacy" if asked to prospective homebuyers.
Your points are right on, but it's a shame that people aren't more neighborly. I grew up in a twin, live in a twin now, and while we do respect our neighbors' boundaries, there is really no friendship between us. That's too much boundary, IMO.
In California we had signals for each other...........when the coffee was ready and company welcome. Our postage stamp size yards and short walks (4 steps) from door to door in some cases.............made visiting easy, keep yard work to a minimum and we did a lot of fun stuff with each other. Since moving to Oklahoma with riding mowers and larger properties I have experienced less of that and I so enjoy my moments of solitude. Thank you for a great article on life in general!
Super I'm a great neighbor and my neighbors are great too!!
Hey, I'm a great neighbor!