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Old 10-16-2011, 06:46 AM
 
40 posts, read 89,509 times
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Has anyone else had the experience that my family and I have had here in Mechanicsville? We have lived in two well-manicured subdivisions over the last few years, and have experienced similar scenarios - neighbors do not want to say hello, or speak to us. Seem that they have no interest in being friendly or neighborly, or to reach out to make friends. My family and I are nice, sociable people so this is discouraging. Is this just the state of American society today everywhere? Or is this central Virginia culture in general?

Last edited by FeelGood2011; 10-16-2011 at 07:05 AM..
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Old 10-16-2011, 09:18 AM
 
Location: Where my bills arrive
19,339 posts, read 17,268,402 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FeelGood2011 View Post
Has anyone else had the experience that my family and I have had here in Mechanicsville? We have lived in two well-manicured subdivisions over the last few years, and have experienced similar scenarios - neighbors do not want to say hello, or speak to us. Seem that they have no interest in being friendly or neighborly, or to reach out to make friends. My family and I are nice, sociable people so this is discouraging. Is this just the state of American society today everywhere? Or is this central Virginia culture in general?
I think we live with a vision that life in suburbia is like Leave it to Beaver or some other sitcom we grew up watching, it's not. We lived in a neighborhood in Va Beach where people didn't speak to us for years. Even when our daughter was born and I was out to sea with the Navy only one person came by to see how my wife was doing....

Maybe this is the culture that has developed, I do think that Ozzie & Harriet are dead and the Beaver is doing drugs on the south side. Suburbia has changed and for many it's an every man for himself mentality.
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Old 10-16-2011, 10:31 AM
 
40 posts, read 89,509 times
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Va Yankee- I understand your response.. but my concern is that, although the "Leave It To Beaver" era has long past.. it still can't be that difficult for neighbors - those who live next door or on the same street/same community to simply say "Hi" or wave "Hello." It requires little to no energy to wave a hand, or just manage to exert one vowel such as "Hi." My concern is that people intentionally resist being cordial or neighborly, and it makes the community a negative place to live. Very sad. Not sure if it is America today, or just my subdivision..


Quote:
Originally Posted by VA Yankee View Post
I think we live with a vision that life in suburbia is like Leave it to Beaver or some other sitcom we grew up watching, it's not. We lived in a neighborhood in Va Beach where people didn't speak to us for years. Even when our daughter was born and I was out to sea with the Navy only one person came by to see how my wife was doing....

Maybe this is the culture that has developed, I do think that Ozzie & Harriet are dead and the Beaver is doing drugs on the south side. Suburbia has changed and for many it's an every man for himself mentality.
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Old 10-16-2011, 05:31 PM
 
40 posts, read 89,509 times
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AND I admit there ARE PLENTY OF FRIENDLY people in Mechanicsville and around Richmond. This was not intended to be an overaly negative post.


Quote:
Originally Posted by FeelGood2011 View Post
Has anyone else had the experience that my family and I have had here in Mechanicsville? We have lived in two well-manicured subdivisions over the last few years, and have experienced similar scenarios - neighbors do not want to say hello, or speak to us. Seem that they have no interest in being friendly or neighborly, or to reach out to make friends. My family and I are nice, sociable people so this is discouraging. Is this just the state of American society today everywhere? Or is this central Virginia culture in general?
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Old 10-16-2011, 06:47 PM
 
Location: Richmond, VA
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Lead by example.
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Old 10-16-2011, 07:25 PM
 
Location: Richmond VA metro area
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I raised my family for about 16 years in Kings Charter, living in two different homes. My experience was just the opposite. I always experienced friendly and caring neighbors.
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Old 10-17-2011, 06:18 AM
 
40 posts, read 89,509 times
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I do - thank you.

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Originally Posted by richmondpics View Post
Lead by example.
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Old 10-17-2011, 01:30 PM
 
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We live in a neighborhood in the Southside where everyone waves and says hello.
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Old 10-17-2011, 03:37 PM
 
Location: Where my bills arrive
19,339 posts, read 17,268,402 times
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Feelgood 2011 I don't disagree with you. We have always prefered older neighborhoods with a mix of young/old neighbors. We have often found newer neighborhoods with mostly young families empty out every morning at 8:00, no comes home till 6:00 and the few stay at home moms can turn into a fascist clique. I don't know what to tell you other than see what in the area you can get involved in.
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Old 10-17-2011, 07:14 PM
 
5,546 posts, read 6,909,068 times
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My opinion is that it's always tougher to be social if you aren't in a walkable neighborhood. By walkable, I mean running errands, grabbing meals, walking kids to school...mostly on foot (or bike). It provides a more natural, commonly social situation that's not forced.

It seems people move to lower density housing so they don't have to interact with others as often.
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