3 minute read
Meeting then greeting thy neighbour
Neighbourly interactions are important
GOING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND MAKING FRIENDS WITH YOURNEIGHBOURS CAN HELP YOU PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY AS WELL AS EASE YOURINTEGRATION INTO THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
Social connection and inclusion lies at the heart of every great community. But it can sometimes take longer than expected to feel at home in a new neighbourhood.
And it seems most Australians feel less connected than ever before.
According to research conducted by Research Now in October last year, only one in four of us claim to have a very good relationship with our neighbours, yet 77% of us crave deeper relationships with them.
The survey also found only 46% of Australians only know up to three neighbours by name and 70% are not connected to any neighbours online.
Relationships Australia says neighbourly interactions are important because good relationships with others can transform communities. Social connection also makes us feel better as it helps prevent loneliness, isolation and depression, it says.
But growing time pressures, an increase in those leading transient lives and for some, a fear of backto-basics conversation, means many of us are unsure how to break the ice when it comes to introducing ourselves to our new neighbours.
Zarife Hardy, director of the Australian School of Etiquette, says it is generally much easier to meet your neighbours while living in a strata community, owing to the fact there are many more shared common areas. Whether you are going through the same entrance or sharing a driveway, it is far easier to strike up a conversation than going to a private home, she says.
Hardy says those who would like to welcome new residents to the area should consider taking the time to make a warm introduction, perhaps by taking over a small inexpensive treat such as a homemade cake or potted plant.
A little package of menus from all the restaurants/cafes/take away places in your neighbourhood is usually received gratefully while most new residents also appreciate it when a new neighbour pops over with a bottle of wine once the initial introduction stage has been navigated, she says.
Hardy says consider carefully your timing and “don’t take your house warming gift over when someone/a family is moving in”. Instead, wait a week until they are unpacked and a little settled before making introductions. “Invite them over once you have built some rapport and realise you both might like to get to know each other a little more. Let them know about any community activities or social events that may regularly happen in your area.”
Hardy says it is important to remember that not all new residents want to be friends with their next door neighbours so take baby steps in the way you interact with them at the start as you may come across as a little too pushy.
In the event a new neighbour makes it clear they’re not interested in establishing a relationship, remember to respect their decision, she says.
“Keep your contact with them to a minimum, don’t be negative back. It is far too exhausting to have a bad relationship with your neighbours. Be kind, smile when you see them and keep it short. Also, don’t talk badly of any locals in your area to a new neighbour, you don’t know if they may already know them or they may strike up a relationship with them independent of you.”
But there is likely to be an assortment of others only too willing to help you with your crusade. To help make the process easier, while also helping foster stronger connections, strata residents may like to consider taking part in Relationships Australia’s annual Neighbour Day. Held each year in March, the event has the aim of bringing together like-minded people and organisations to grow “stronger, well connected communities” through organised gatherings such as street parties, cricket matches and morning teas.
In addition to providing a number of electronic resources for those interested in hosting events, the event - first launched in 2013 – also adopts a different theme each year with the focus of the 2019 event on ‘Loneliness: What neighbours can do to create connections'.
