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Hi,
We're first time homeowner's and moved into our home couple of weeks back. Last week, couple of the neighbors (one next to us & one opposite to us) dropped by with applie pies & choc chip cookies to welcome us to the neighborhood. It was a nice gesture. With winter just around the corner, the chances of meeting the families on our street (its a cul-de-sac with about 10 houses) is next to zero so we are trying to get some tips on how we can break ice with most - if not everybody - around us.
We're first generation asian immigrants in an all-white neighborhood and so would also love to have some tips on any social faux-pas that we should keep in mind to avoid.
This is really stupid - but we WAVE at everyone in our neighborhood. And we don't even like a number of the people in our neighborhood (well - okay the one we REALLY don't like, we don't wave at him -- the rest we are sort of neutral on).
We wave at the stop sign when we're in our car. We wave as we driving past someone doing lawn work. We nod our heads if our hands are full.
Its dumb, but I like the fact that in that one sense, I feel like these are MY neighbors, MY neighborhood. (Never mind the fact that again, I'm not friends with these people and don't *know* most of them).
Otherwise - taking walks around the neighborhood is a good way to be seen as belonging, and gives you a good chance to be friendly, "Oh... your chrysanthemums are just lovely!".
You could always hold an "open house" house-warming sort of get together, but that might be a little weird. (I doubt that happens much anymore). But if you have kids and want to get to know the other kids in the neighborhoods (play dates) - that might be a good opportunity.
Also - if your community has an HOA, or Community Board, or Beautification committee - talk to them. They'll put you on any lists you need to be on.
I can't think of any real rituals for you to perform or avoid. I suppose you could reciprocate baked goods with the people that brought you pies/cookies, but that's really not necessary/typical. (People used to bring food to the folks moving in, because the idea was that they were so busy with moving they wouldn't have time to cook/bake for themselves -- plus, its nice!)
Just be seen, so people will know that you are a part of the neighborhood. And be friendly/polite to people you see in return. And wave. I really like the waving.
Halloween is just around the corner. Instead of staying in the house, stay out in front of the house. Near the sidewalk if you have one. Parents will normally escort the kids to somewhere near the house but don't approach the door with the kids. If you're out near the road or sidewalk, you'll probably meet several parents as well.
I too wave to most people.
If you see a neighbor that is doing something you have any skills or experience with, offer to help. It could be as easy as helping to unload something big out of a truck.
If you received the pie and cookies on a container that needs to be returned, put something in it when you return it, preferably something from your culture, just make sure it's not too exotic. You can do this even if it was given in a non-returnable container. If it goes over well, you can have an Asian themed get together as most people are willing to try exotic dishes.
This is really stupid - but we WAVE at everyone in our neighborhood. And we don't even like a number of the people in our neighborhood (well - okay the one we REALLY don't like, we don't wave at him -- the rest we are sort of neutral on)....... And wave. I really like the waving.
I agree and disagree. It's not stupid!! Wave. Smile and wave. Do you have a dog? Do you want a dog? Walking a dog around the neighborhood is a great way to meet people. You'll find they tend to walk around the same times everyday and all the dog owners know each other. If you don't want a dog, you could try walking or jogging around the same time the dog walkers are out. And then smile and wave and say "hello."
Halloween is just around the corner. Instead of staying in the house, stay out in front of the house. Near the sidewalk if you have one. Parents will normally escort the kids to somewhere near the house but don't approach the door with the kids. If you're out near the road or sidewalk, you'll probably meet several parents as well.
I too wave to most people.
If you see a neighbor that is doing something you have any skills or experience with, offer to help. It could be as easy as helping to unload something big out of a truck.
Great advice. I am approaching the one-year anniversary of moving into my home and only know two of my neighbors and met a few other people at the HOA meeting back in January, but couldn't tell you their names or where in the neighborhood they live. Since I am in Florida, my neighborhood does have a large number of older folks - some are permanent year-round residents and others are snowbirds. But, there is a school bus stop about 100 feet from my house down at the corner and plenty of kids get on the bus so I know there are younger families around. We do not have any school age children ourselves.
We plan on sitting outside our front door on Halloween to give out treats. I am going to bring our small bistro patio set around from out back and we're going to even have coffee available for the parents in addition to the stuff for the kids. I'm hoping this enables us to meet some people
Now that the nice fall weather is here, I walk my dog up my street and back down at least once a day usually after dinner. I work from home most of the time, so if I am home I try to squeeze in a walk at lunchtime. I am hoping I'll meet some folks this way as well.
Last edited by HWTechGuy; 10-23-2013 at 01:17 PM..
I agree with the posters who suggested that you host some sort of a social event for your new neighbors. A few months after I moved into my neighborhood, I decided to hold an open house to meet the neighbors. I made up little flyers and put one in the door of each house on my block. I made some hors d'oeuvres and some lemonade and just sat back and waited. About 1/3 of the block showed up, and everyone was very appreciative. Many of my guests hadn't even met each other, despite a few having been neighbors for years. It may not happen enough any more, but there is no reason why you shouldn't get everybody together!
Our cul-de-sac has block parties at least once a year, sometimes twice. We have it set up so different neighbors bring different things such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, etc. for a meal. One of the neighbors took it upon herself to organize it and we've been doing it for over 10 years. It grew out of the National Night Out program our neighborhood participates in every year.
Also our neighborhood has a welcome committee that greets all new residents, so they get to know a few people through that.
Walking a dog around the neighborhood is a great way to meet people.
It is "great" for values of "great" that include holding a plastic bag full of excrement.
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