The Neighbors.......

This is one of those posts whose idea has been swimming around in my head for a couple of months; but until now I couldn't pull the trigger on it.  The subject has been gnawin' at me.  It is something that should be said.  Oh, don't get me wrong---it's not like the Gettysburg Address or the Declaration of Independence---but it is one of those existential things we all deal with in one way or another but seldom comment on.

The subject is neighbors. 

Won't You Be.......My Neighbor?

When we moved in to this neighborhood in early May, we heard from the previous home owners how wonderful the neighbors are on our street.  So, it was with some surprise that only one couple introduced themselves to us.

And the funny thing about that is the fact that they spent an hour in our living room that day feeding us gossip (some pretty vicious stuff) about the other neighbors.  Cindy and I didn't like that.  And, I finally had to end the visit when it became apparent that they had no plans to leave.  Afterward, I asked Cindy if she would be comfortable having a close relationship with them.  Like me, she said "no".  I mean, after all.......if they gossip about everyone else, they would also gossip about us.  'Nuff said.

There is another couple who live very close.  We wave to them when we see them outside.  We heard that they had been robbed shortly before we moved in.  The story is that two men came down the street, saw that their garage door was left open, and entered the open garage and carried off some valuables that were stored in the garage. 

Now, to me, the obvious solution to this is to keep one's garage door closed when one is not in the garage.  But not these folks.  No, they keep their garage door open all day long.  And last night, it stayed open all night.  Don't you think you would be a little more careful if you had just been robbed?  Just askin'.

Then, there are the two young couples with children who live nearby.  I haven't met them, but they seem nice when we see each other outside.  What bothers the hell outta' me is that their kids---who appear to be about 6 years old---play in the street.  I shudder when cars whiz past them.  I don't get it.  I mean, all these homes have nice back yards.......why not use the back yard to play in and avoid the possibility of little Jennie and Timmie being run over in the street?  Like I say, I don't get it.

Then, there is the couple next door who I have never seen.  They are strict loners (I don't have a problem with that!).  But it is funny that we have lived here five months now and the only times we have seen them is when they drive in and out of their garage. 

My, how times have changed.  When I was growing up, all the neighbors knew and respected each other. 

I suppose much of the disconnect these days comes from the reign of Ipods, Droids, texting, instant internet connections, Playstations, XBoxes, etc, etc.  Neighbors don't need each other very much in 2011.

And, with so much less interraction between neighbors, there is a resultant diminishing of interpersonal skills.  I think folks find it difficult to talk to each other in a meaningful way.

What do you think?