Neighbors and what to -----

[1948berg]

What if the neighbors house cought fire--
What if the neighbor got stuck under a log---
What if you got a heart attac and nobody to help you but the ---
What if someone broke into your neighbors house--
What if a new road was planned over both properties--
What if a tornado hit you, or your neighbor---
What if a child in the neighborhood went missing--

There are so many what ifs in your life.

To keep a distance to your neighbor is one thing, to have him as your enemy is something totally different!

 

[dmccarty]

This is true.

But the problem neighbors are the ones that don't realize the truth of what you wrote.

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Later,
Dan

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Gunnar,
If you start on the right foot with your neighbor, introduce yourself and attempt to establish a good working relationship with him, and let him know what your like as a person. And then at some time down the road have him take advantage of your gracious nature, your trust has been violated /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif That is a truly bad way for a relationship to begin. After I have been taken advantage of, Im very wary for future encounters and problems.

Yes, everything you stated is very true and wont disagree, but once screwed over and dont expect me to go out of the way for a neighbor like that.

My feeling has always been, I will treat you as you treat me, and quite often I go one step further.

scotty

 

[EddieWalker]

Gunner,

You can change your thread from "neighbor" to "human being" and get the same results. I think all of us would respoond to any human who was in trouble no matter their location. Lot's of members here have driven hundreds of miles to help out with the Huricane victems and other disasters.

It's also pretty niave to assume that just because you live next door to somebody that you should be friends. It's hard enough to be friends with family, but strangers that happen to share a boundry is very little to base a relationship on.

In a perfect world, we would all get along and live in peace. Unfortunately reality has proven that people have different agendas and priorities.

There's no reason for me to waste my time and energy making nice to somebody that I have no interest in, or even respect. Luckily I have only one neighbor who comes out to his land a few times a month, and we get along great. I have no idea where he lives or anything personal about him, but I do know what his land is like, what he's doing with it and how he takes care of it. I admire and respect him for these qualities, so we get along great. As a result, I keep an eye on his place and land. When he forgot to close his barn door, I called him to make sure he was't here and took care of it for him. He'd do the same for me.

Eddie

 

[MossRoad]

I'm pretty sure even my worst neighbor would call an ambulance if I was injured in the yard... they might take my wallet first, but then they'd call the ambulance! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Buckcreek]

Thats a good one. ive had some like that in the past . but they would probably have kicked me a few time befor the ambulance got there and took my wallet.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tcreeley]

At one time I lived in a busy residential area - small houses and dirt drives. I was training our 2 year old stallion to longline and drive. He was a good horse, but not one I would turn my back on- low swipe to my knee with his teeth and so on. There was plenty of funny stuff going on in the neighborhood- a little drugs, a little theft- that sort of thing. I was up and down all of the roads and into the woods all of the time. I developed a pretty gruff voice for when I needed it - "cut it out" and that sort of thing. I carried a lunge whip always and popped it too. My horse Tiger turned into a wonderful driving horse. We did geld him when he was 5. He was always proud- and full of himself, but sweet. I never had a problem with the neighbors- though some of our friends did. Walking around- sounding angry with my horse probably had a bit to do with it!:laughing:

 

[MasseyWV]

I don't have any neighbors, so those issues aren't a problem anymore.

 

[Mace Canute]

I had occasion a couple of weeks ago to be concerned about my next door neighbour or, as I like to refer to her, the Wicked Witch of the East. I noticed her garage light on one night and then again very early the next morning when I let my furry kids out for their morning "constitutional". I figured that she had either forgot to turn the light off or had fallen and couldn't get up. What to do? What to do? Decisions! Decisions! After a few seconds of pondering, I decided to call her and reasoned it was a win-win situation. If she was ok and had just forgotten to turn the lights off, I would have the pleasure of waking her from a sound sleep! If no answer, there would exist the possibility that she was one with the floor :thumbsup: and I would call 911 and let them deal with her. As it turned out she was ok and I got to play the concerned, caring neighbour! :laughing:

 

[deere755]

I have one neighbor that is very nosey and seems to be into everybodys business. While I don't invite her over for dinner I do wave at her as she drives by very slowly to get an eye full of what I am doing. A year ago or so on my way home I over heard on my fire dept. radio that the ambulance was on its way out to her place. She lives in a different fire and Ambulance district then I do. I was far enough away that the ambulance was on scene before I could get there so I didn't try to hurry over. I heard just as I was approaching my driveway that they were asking for the coroner. I decided to drive on down and learned her husband had died. She thanked me for the longest time for coming over and I am glad I did. Had I been home I would have rushed over and tried to help. Just this past winter she locked herself out of her house one cold evening. She called me and I called another neighbor and betweeen the 2 of us we were able to break in to her place and get her out of the cold. One nice thing about a nosey neighbor is they keep an eye on your place for you. She called me one night to let me know that a group of 4 wheelers were riding in my field. They really rutted it up but I was able to chase them off because of her. My point is it never hurts to be neighborly with everybody even if they are not your favorite person in the world. You never know when they may just save your butt someday.

 

[creekbend]

I will be the first to admit that some people are inconsiderate of others and take advantage of another's generosity or kindness. But I always try to take into consideration that at times, people react differently at times because of influences or matters that had recently affected them and are unbeknownst to me. A person might have had a bad day and the good side of their personality and character might not have had the chance to reveal itself on the initial meeting. I also do my best to try and not be judgmental toward others. On the other hand, there are definitely individuals in this world that no matter how hard one tries or attempts to communicate or act toward them in a cordial or civil manner, they will respond with a level of arrogance that far exceeds my patience. My Motto - " Treat everyone the way that you would want to be treated." But I have the sense to realize that this remains Wishful Thinking, because People will be People.

 

[GGB]

Smother them with kindness. It may just break the ice and lead to a better relationship, or at least you'll sleep well knowing you've tried to be nice.

I've got a neighbor that some other folks had had some problems with. And he could have been a problem for me if I not decided that I would go out of my way to be friendly. I also mowed a patch and plowed his drive a couple of times with nothing expected back. He was very appreciative and has helped me out a couple of times since then with some of his equipment.

It just seemed like the right thing to do, and I've made a friend.

 

[MasseyWV]

I will be the first to admit that some people are inconsiderate of others and take advantage of another's generosity or kindness.

I've experienced this more than once. Some people will take advantage of you whenever they can.

Like the time I helped a former neighbor by mowing his grass for most of the summer when he was unable to do it because of leg problems. Then my riding mower broke a rod and destroyed the engine as I was mowing his grass, which meant I was without a mower. I didn't expect anything in return, but after telling the neighbor what happened, he didn't offer to let me use his mower or offer assistance of any kind. I never mowed his grass again and rarely spoke to him after that.

I hate being this way, but after having had similar things happen to me time and time again, I no longer offer or ask for help from anyone. The same applies to lending or borrowing things.

 

[gengine]

I moved into my place a year ago, and have had the neighbors over for steaks a couple times. My wife and I are out of town for her surgery right now, and had a long time buddy taking care of my animals for me, but he could only do it until Thursday night, which was fine, because we were planning on being back Thursday night. Well, the doctor has kept her a couple extra days, and I had to call the neighbor for a favor. When I did, he said that he hadn't seen anybody over there yet, so he had already fed my animals for me with his own hay. His house it about 30' away, and he is the only neighbor within 4 miles. When that close, you gotta be neighborly. The fact that he was worried enough to go and take care of things is great. I hope to find a way to repay his kindness. I will replace the hay, although I am sure he is not worried about it.

 

[Sackett2]

After 40+ years of having cruddy neighbors, an semi retired couple moved in next door to my parents. They tore down the shack and built a nice house and become family to my parents.
There is nothing they would do for Mom and Dad and the same back. When my parents go to Arizona for a month they help me watch over the house. They dog-sit my dog and we trade there kitchen scraps for fresh eggs.
When we lost my brother (my parents were in Arizona) they hunted me down to see if I was OK, and when hunting with him one year on my brothers birthday, I called his wife and told her Mom was depressed so she grabbed her for a dinner out.
Its comforting to have neighbors that care that much for you. As my parents get frail; if I need a "check-in" I know I can call them.

 

[Ridgewalker]

We moved about a year ago and it looks like we lucked out in a big way. Everyone has a least 4 acres,
all wooded ridges and we can't see each others houses at all when the leaves are on. It's a wonderful thing!

Most of our neighbors are dog people, our walks with ours has helped up meet a lot of our neighbors and we have
two that already have key codes to our garage and take care of our dogs when we travel. We have been doing the
same for them so it's working for all.

I make sure to give everyone the farmer wave when I pass them coming and going. I am getting to be known as the
guy that always waves. Not a bad thing...

 

[JDgreen227]

I posted this on my Facebook page earlier this year and the comment got several "likes"....

"People rarely appreciate a having a good neighbor until they have endured living next door to a bad one".

As for me, I lived in the country for 15 years without knowing any neighbors until someone built a house on the lot 100 feet away from us. He is a policeman, his wife a teacher, nobody could be more friendly and considerate. Their 3 kids roam our huge property, his dog runs on our land, I share my garden bounty with them and watch his house when they are away, clear their driveway in the winter and let him borrow tools and hardware whenever he needs it. They care for our cats and watch our house when we are away, and would probably give us the shirt off their back and iron it for us if we ever needed it. The best way to have a good neighbor 99% of the time is to BE ONE.

 

[blueriver]

I like to think in order to have good neighbors you must be a good neighbor ... some may try to take advantage of that.