Posted on 06/07/2017 11:21:34 AM PDT by simpson96
I am glad I am this old so I don’t have to live in this cold, uncaring world for 50 more years. Many Americans appear to have become shallow, immoral, intolerant, and hateful.
Let me tell you about my Southern California neighborhood. I have lived in this one for 22 years. I don’t know anyone, but it’s not for lack of trying. Each time a new neighbor moves in I bake a loaf of bread and take it to them. They thank me at the door and then close it. That is the last I see of them other than when they go to their cars.
One neighbor was pregnant and her husband was employed, so I gave her my phone number just in case she needed anything. She thanked me and didn’t give me her number. We spoke over the fence occasionally, but not in any way that would turn us into buddies or even casual friends. They moved.
Our newest neighbors dropped a card on our front porch before their bread was baked to tell us their names and gave us their phone number. I still have it four years later. I baked the bread and the mister thanked me at the door. I have never met the Mrs. in person.
I hosted a coffee klatch and made up fliers and put them on the 12 nearest homes. I got donuts, cut up fruit, and made coffee and tea. Six people came, drank the tea, and no one touched the donuts or fruit. They chatted about who all used to live here in this neighborhood over the years, said thank you and left. No one asked a single question of me. I have never been to their homes or had a conversation with any of them since.
(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...
Yup, you had the chance to live right in the middle of New Global California, where old stock Americans are as rare as a dodo.
Funniest situation I’ve seen is on my block where a Jack-Muslim single woman (muslim in name only) lives next door to a Muslim couple- at least we think it’s a couple, I’ve seen the woman twice in the three years that they’ve lived there and no one else has seen her at all- anyway the Jack-Muslim gal is friendly and introduced herself to her Muslim neighbor- he barely acknowledged her then and has never even waved to her since. Of course he barely acknowledges anyone else in the neighborhood so there you go.
I had to ask my husband if he’s started posting on FR...
We won’t get to know our neighbors until we need each other.
In the old days, we had to borrow tools, kids, people. We don’t need each other now, we have money, and the govt to take care of us.
once the power goes out, we will all wonder out into the streets and meet each other. Especially the guy with the power generator that is running...................
I live on a 5 acre lot in a subdivision of 5 acre lots. We have an abundance of Live Oaks, Post Oaks, and Cedar that screens both sides of our lot leaving only the front of the house (which sits back 100’ from the road) open. One side of us is an undeveloped lot. I’ve been here 15 years and might be able to pick one of my neighbors out of a line up if I studied them long enough. Fact of the matter is this is a place to sleep at night and try and relax on the weekend. It’s an hour drive to work each way and when home my wife and I want to see each other not random folks who just happened to buy a house near us. We have nothing in common (I collect former military vehicles and it’s obvious what my hobby is) other than our zip code. I congregate with people who share my interests at car shows, air shows, and club meetings. Any time someone stops to ask about my hobby I will spend as much time talking politely with them as if they were my best friend but once they leave the driveway I doubt I will remember their names. If I ever move back to Idaho I imagine I will become more a part of the community as there will be less distractions and fewer people to have to remember (which is good since my memory is shot). I wave to people I don’t know when driving down my street because I was raised to be polite and that’s the easiest way to show it but don’t expect me to invite you over for dinner since I don’t know you and have enough friends to last what little time I have left here.
“Not everyone is a people person. Some temperaments like to leave people alone and to be left alone.”
That and I don’t like home-baked bread.
The good thing about my neighborhood is that our garages are in the front and not the back. I wanted no part of a garage in the back.
Our first home was on a small postage size lot. We all had kids and every evening we would all sit out front and watch them skate, ride bikes, etc.
We have 1/3 of an acre now and the only time we ever see anyone is when we go in and out of the garage.
We know our neighbors just aren’t friends with them. Our older neighbor died and we didn’t know it til 4 months later when I saw his wife and asked how he was. She did say....I should have told you.
I think of The Twilight Zone episode called, "The Shelter".
Yeah, me either. Garages in back mean an alley and here alleys are trouble.
Most houses except the super old ones garages are in front.
“Try to import the Midwestern “block party” ethic and you will just get ignored.”
Maybe, but he’s not even doing it right. The key to a midwestern “block party” is not baking bread, it’s tapping a keg of beer. That’s how you really get to know your neighbors better :)
This is one of my pet peeves. You work hard to afford a nice, safe, quiet neighborhood. Then the government hands your neighborhood, on a silver platter, to people who haven't worked for it and who proceed to completely ruin it. Now you either suffer, or you go through the trouble, stress, and expense of moving, only to have it happen all over again. It really is an outrage, and I don't know why Americans are putting up with it. We're supposed to weep with sympathy for some snowflake or illegal alien who's been "dissed" or "triggered" or something. Meanwhile hardworking, taxpaying Americans are having their neighborhoods ruined and are being forced to constantly flee, and we just...put up with it.
Thank you, my life is full instead of ALONE now for 20 years!
My dog has more toys than fit in his big basket. Private email me an address and I will put some through the washer and send them to you! I took 8 to a neighbor recently and she took them to the local adoption area. I think they want towels too!
Elizabeth Smart wasn’t kidnapped. She ran off with her boyfriend. My point was simply that the environment isn’t nearly as dangerous as you’d think from watching the news.
You are very lucky to see your cup over 1/2 full!!
You are so sweet. I turned all our little dog’s possessions over to the SPCA - they didn’t want the toys however. The facility is very small and storage at a premium.
Thank you Joy.
God bless.
I don’t believe you.
You would not have taken a name with “giver” in it.
I bet you are a “prepper”, like me, and would help if you were needed.
I did not want to deal with the homeless men here so I asked around and found a place they would find food left for them without contact. Haven’t missed a Sunday in years unless I was away. I asked my friends to fill in, but NO was the answer. Their loss!!
It’s in part the character of the homes and the layout. Some neighborhoods attract anti-social people who will never make friends among their neighbors. Some attract social climbers who are there to impress guests with the size and location of their home - again with no interest in their neighbors. Some attract people who are looking for a community. I’ve been in all kinds of neighborhoods, and it almost doesn’t matter what I do. The tone of the neighborhood will be the biggest factor in how many neighbors I really get to know.
As a grandmother I buy thank you notes and cards. Stamps and even calendars with addresses of family members and school addresses for college kids. I try so hard for “please and thank you” I wonder if I go too far...
Then something happens and it is all worth it! A text, phone call or giant smile with a big thanks NANA keeps me going!
Wow! No good deed goes unpunished I see.
Not hardly surprised by your experience. Our family lived next to a few millennials also leeching off of the grandparents. The drama was out of control and eventually got both grandparents (Vietnam Vet and wife) thrown in jail for assault/battery after a “friend” showed disdain and disrespect for them in their own home.
The “all about me” culture is poisonous.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.