Does that matter anymore? In the age of social media, high-speed travel and mobility, aren’t we beyond needing physical neighbours? I know I have remained friends with many of the same people over the last decade, as we’ve each moved an average of 2-3 times in that time.
For many in suburbia, home is a place to sleep and recharge, but little else.
This new series looks at neighbours. We’ll consider, who are our neighbours in this era? Do they matter? Do we need to matter to them?
Question: When have you needed your neighbours? When have they needed you?
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Being great neighbours means not just knowing names and making small talk, but the relationship actually goes a step further when we start working together.
One of my best neighbours ever was a partner in building a deck. I planned to build a deck, bought a book from Home Depot, and got in way over my head. The book seemed to assume perfect conditions, a new house with perfect corners, and not my century home with wonky ones.
My neighbour would wander over, find me scratching my head, and give advice, tools, and a helping hand. He wasn’t just helping me, he became my partner, working alongside me.
There was something in it for him – he was a shift worker bored during the daytime, and loved building things. There was something in it for me – a new deck, and new skills.
It wasn’t planned, it just happened because we knew each other’s names, spent time outside and he was available.
Question: When have you unexpectedly partnered with someone for a project?
