Neighborhood Etiquette: How to Greet New Neighbors
One of the most common complaints that resounds in conversations, articles, books and even poetry today is the lack of community and sense of unity between people in modern society. Grandparents often remember the old days when people were friends with their neighbors and there was a warm, almost family atmosphere in the yard. Often, people did not even hire a nanny, but simply left their children with neighbors when they needed to go out somewhere in the evening.
Of course times have changed. However, research shows that having friends and a sense of community with other people contributes greatly to a happy and long life. The opportunity to walk around the block, feeling comradely unity with neighbors, is not only a guarantee of a happier life, but also of your health!
One of the best times to build friendships and bonds with your neighbors is when one of them moves into a new home. This is also a great opportunity to demonstrate to your children or children of new arrivals the importance of kindness and mutual assistance, especially in difficult times.
Our tips will show you how to greet new neighbors and thus help them acclimatize faster.
KNOW ABOUT YOUR NEW NEIGHBORS BEFORE THEY ENTER
Do they have children (and how old are they), where are they moving from, do they have pets? Knowing this, you will be able to decide what kind of help to offer at the first meeting. If you do not have the opportunity to find out this information in advance, ask yourself when you knock on their house. But it’s best to find out ahead of time.
PAY A VISIT
It’s almost become a cliché: neighbors with apple pie and a flower in a pot ring the doorbell to say, “Welcome to our neighborhood.” However, for all the banality, template gifts always work! Cakes and pies (homemade or store-bought), chocolate mousse with whipped cream, a basket with two cups of ice cream and strawberries, a basket with the infamous homemade cookies, a houseplant, a crystal or glass vase of flowers – there are a lot of options, and they will all come in handy, when you first ring the doorbell of your new neighbors.
PREPARE A HOT LUNCH
It’s no secret that moving is exhausting and physically tiring. And often causes a wolfish appetite. A moving family does not always have time to go to a cafe or diner in the middle of a move. Of course, they could take sandwiches and water bottles with them, but there is nothing better than a hot lunch at such a time. Feed your new neighbors a hot lunch on moving day and they will surely remember your care. Of course, this is not always feasible. You may not have been notified of the day of their move and are most likely unaware of any food habits, allergies, etc. they may have. However, if you have the opportunity to bring a hot meal or invite them over for a light dinner, that would be the best welcome you can give. And if it doesn’t work out on the day of the move, you can always suggest the next evening, when they are likely to get tired of unpacking.
SHARE IT
If your new neighbors have kids, they’ll likely want to set them up as soon as possible. They will need information that will help them find friends for their children, sports and recreational activities in the neighborhood, etc. Another useful thing you can do for a new neighbor is to introduce him to the children and parents in the yard or block. Share your knowledge about the children’s clinic, schools, camps and recreational programs, give the names and numbers of reliable nannies, and provide other information that may be useful to them.
GIVE EMERGENCY SERVICE CONTACTS
Grocery stores, restaurants, dry cleaners, plumbers, handymen, even doctors – the list goes on! Compiling a list of important places and professionals in your area, along with contact information, can be invaluable to your new neighbors.