Making friends with your new neighbors in Hawaii (condo, crime)

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

I've also noticed this mythical mainland perception that there seems to be an open door policy among all the neighbors and the overused peception of what mainlanders think is aloha like we are all in one group hug. We aren't - I've never seen more No Tresspassing signs than anywhere in the US as I do on the Big Island.

You can identify local families in my neighborhood by those with a lock on their gate at night.

[mangodog]

I like the solar cell security lights at the front gates of those who can afford it and have more at risk.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by mangodog

I like the solar cell security lights at the front gates of those who can afford it and have more at risk.

They have those for $3.88 each at Wallymart. Now everybody can act like they have more at risk.

[CyberCity]

A solar light would be helpful to help work the gate lock when locking up at night.

[Serengeti]

Originally Posted by mangodog

I suppose many people just sit tight and dont reach out to find out who their neighbors are. I cannot bear to live in a world without friends and new acquaintances. I have come to greatly appreciate other people, their views, and insights. My world is so much richer because of it.

Yeah, I agree, I'm much the same

[mangodog]

Ha ha, I thought those solar cell Security lights were big bucks ! Dont get in my way as I run to SafMart to git me one. ( One Hour Photo - robin williams movie ).

[1hotnspicy1]

It depends on the "type" of neighborhood you're in. When I move to my new place I expect my neighbor's to come over with a pie (or a set of banana fingers) and ask if I need any help moving in. If they don't come over by day 2, I'm going to their place with a pie and asking them for some kind of help as a way to introduce myself. I'll tell them how I couldn't 'move that couch' or whatever without them and tell them If they need my help anytime, don't hesitate to ask.

We give Christmas cards and such to every one of our neighbors just to keep in touch. Nice to have community!

[dulcamara]

I think a good rule of thumb is to let the rapport develop naturally, understanding that within a community individuals & households are each going to have their own preferences.

We have neighbors who host BBQs & potlucks all the time, some others who I know mainly from conversations walking by the front gate/porch, others just from occasional waves & "good mornings", and a couple who barely make eye contact if I greet them. It runs the gamut. In my experience that's true of anywhere. Even with the more private folks we all have a phone list and look out for one another's properties, that sort of thing.

I'd probably never do a pie or whatever at the outset - IMO that would come across as a little too forced - nor would I remotely "expect" one. Just by being friendly the relationship will evolve organically whether mainland, Hawaii, Siberia, or wherever.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Different cultures, I guess. If anyone came to me with a pie and requested that I spend the rest of my day moving their heavy furniture, I'd mark them down in my book as a user and avoid their company.

I might very well be there on the first day with some fresh fruit and a greeting and an offer to help them find the best places to shop or sight see. But I would not be going over there expecting to haul around sofas and boxes of books. Nor would I be there for more than a couple of minutes. Since I would not wish to interfere with their moving, which is a lot of work and most people want to get it over with and get the U-Haul returned before they are charged with an additional day.

If they needed help moving furniture, I might be able to give them the name of someone they could call and pay to carry around sofas and mattresses and big heavy hutches.

[Pikake]

I do the wave with my neighbor's and have returned their dogs to them. We are friendly to one another and that is good enough for me