So you’ve done that thing that makes us all adults, what separates us from the animals, you’ve gone and got yourself a home. Perhaps you’ve moved to the city in a cramped, dinky apartment that smells like the last tenant kept cheese in the shower. Perhaps you’ve moved into a white-picket fence house with a green yard for the little nuggets to skip around in. Perhaps you’ve gone on a life adventure off the reservation and holed up somewhere in a forrest. No matter where you’re living, how far or how close to civilization you are, like it or not, you have neighbors. It’s best that you get along.
Here’s tips on how to be a good neighbor:
1. Don’t ask to borrow a cup of sugar, but do ask
Please keep your own steady supply of sugar as you need it. Don’t ask your neighbor for sugar unless you’re having an affair with the neighbor and by sugar you mean kisses. The sugar thing is an old trope. There will come times when you may need to ask your neighbor for things, feel free to do so, just not too often. You also need to be ready to do the same for your neighbor. If you’re neighbor never asks for anything, offer something you think they need. Some people don’t like asking for things but everyone could better from a little help.
2. Noise is pollution
I like to be loud. I talk loud, especially when I’ve had a few drinks. I play my music loud, and I like to do it in the late hours. I enjoy quiet things in life, but I do live loud. In this respect, I am a bad neighbor. I hate it when I hear a banging sound or the sharp rumble of what is clearly a party (that I wasn’t invited to, mind you) through the walls to my neighbors’ apartments. It doesn’t get to me too bad because I know all of the loud noise I make must do the same to them, but it’s shitty when you’re on this end of the stick. For you’re neighbors sake, try to keep a quiet household, only leting the noise loose at appropriate times such as before dinner and Friday nights (I know must would argue for Saturdays, but remember a lot of people wake up early on Sundays for church or fishing).
3. Emergency Preparedness
The best thing you can do as a neighbor is to be there during a crisis or the tough times. If you’re neighbor has teenagers, look out for the critters. If your neighbor is old, check in on them every now and then. No matter who your neighbor is, share your contact information at the very least, it could save one of your lives.
