I have a few friends in the neighborhood.  Mainly the families of my boys friends.  I am generally friendly but not really friends.  I will smile and wave, say hello but I don't really hang out with anyone.  If I were in a real bind, I am sure they would help me out and I would be glad to do the same if they needed help.  I do know what you mean about how some people will take advantage of that. 

I know all my neighbors.  I spend time with them, bbqs, working on projects, stuff like that. 

There are a couple who are not the kind of people I'd choose to befriend normally.  But that doesn't mean they can't count on me.

Don't let it bother you FS.  Their loss.

I live on a street that has about 12 houses with our home at the bottom on the cul'de-sac.  We get together for a monthly neighborhood outdoor party with the next street over which has about the same amount of homes. 

On my street I haven't really been able to cultivate any strong friendships which is probably most  our fault because we don't really have anything in common.  Mostly because their idea of getting together involves drinking and we're just not into that scene although we're friendly with all of them. 

We have befriended one single old man on our street who it seems doesn't seem to fit into any click.  I see some of my neighbors getting together going house to house but I don't see Bill as part of that so we invite Bill over for dinner.  He's so cute.  He gets all slicked up like he's coming out for a big night instead of a simple turkey and stuffing dinner.  He's so appreciative it makes me want to invite him every night. 

It's funny but I met a new neighbor two streets over (in a paint store) two weeks ago and we've been hanging out alot (almost everyday) and meeting her two neighbors I feel like I moved onto the wrong street. 

Don't be surprised that some people don't know the language.  I know some foreigners (native English speakers) who have been in Japan for 10 years or more and can still barely navigate a menu in a restaurant.  

I agree with you though, it is shameful.  I'm not as fluent as I should be but I can get by kind of.  Lots of people pull the "I don't speak (the local language) card" to get out of stuff.  For more irony, I remember a conversation with an American who was complaining about people who move to the US and not learning English.  He'd been here a few years and when I asked him how much Japanese he spoke, he told me he was proud that he hadn't had to learn one word!  Worse yet, that whole conversational by-play was completely lost on him. 

This issue is a pet peeve of mine.  I've encountered it in people from other countries.  That American guy just happened to embody the worst of it.

About neighbors, we moved into a house last year (one year ago September 1st!).  It's a tradition to introduce yourself to your neighbors.  It's reverse welcome wagon here.  All the houses across from an old apartment building are new.  We introduced ourselves to people who moved into the houses, etc but not the apartment.  It seems like the apartment building is the cut-off for this introduce yourself tradition. 

We are all first-time home owners so we are all pretty excited.  There are 11 new houses and all but two have children.  We know most people well enough to say "hi" when we walk by.  If I had kids, I'd probably be more involved.

In my old apartment building, we didn't know anyone by name.  One guy who lived on our floor always had a sour look on his face.  I'd often end up taking the elevator with him.  Always sour vibes from the guy.

One day, my husband and I were going out and were walking out the door.  I was drying my lingerie and somehow on the way out my rain jacket's velcro brushed by a bra and snagged it. But I didn't realize.  Our apartment was very small.  I was out the door and saw Mr. Sour-Puss was also just walking out his door.  

My husband started laughing, "What's on your arm?" 

Having no idea, I lifted my arm to see the problem only to see my bra dangling from my sleeve.  Horrified, I spun back into the house, my husband was rolling on the floor laughing and Mr. Sour-Puss quickly got into the elevator.

He never rode the same elevator as me after that.  If I was coming he'd push the button so I couldn't get on.  If I was already in the elevator he would take the stairs.

This is me too.  And mostly with the family of my children's friends too that I'm more friendly with, at least depending on how outgoing they are.  I do car pool with one oter child, it used to be two (teenager really).  He travels with my son and me in the mornings and I drop them at school.  The boy's grandparents pick him up and my son after school.  Works great so far, at least for a couple of days I did both when their vehicle broke down. But not a problem!

I baby sat my neighbor's twins recently.  So there are the few who are nice. Have even helped one of the grown up with homework!lol.

I know! 

Sounds like a great neighborhood Tonya! That is good!

Yes, that is a regular past time around here too!

That is nice!  It does sound like you moved to the wrong street!  Luckily though, you have pleasant neighbors and are making friends, good for you!

LOL!  It certainly made it better not to have to see his sour puss anymore!

Ouch, I can imagine how unpleasant that must have been!

The subject of friendship always fascinates me!  All the different kinds of friends one can have,  and especially with neighbors...

Within the senior complex I live in,  most here are very friendly,  more than willing to lend a helping hand,  and stay out of your business at the the same time.  Of course there are some here that want into your business so they can talk about it!

I don't know any of the people in the neighborhood that don't live in this building.  Mostly because they're families,  aren't home too often,  what with jobs,  kids,  and life in general.  They have their own circle of friends.

Some people here go out of their way to avoid making friends,  or even acknowledging you when they encounter you.  That's ok too,  I have enough going on in my life without worrying about them!

As far as users,  I have only run into one here,  and when I realized what was happening it cut to the bone,  cause I thought we were really close friends.  Ouch 

I recently moved to my current apartment and so far the 2 neighbors I have met have been very nice to me although I only get to see one of them once in a while. I do notice everywhere I go it's always the same thing, those of the same culture tend to get to know each other very quickly while at times they never bother to get to know those of different cultures. I have lived in places where the only connection with my neighbor was we happen to be outside at the same time and hi seems to be the only word we can thow at each other, and this can go on for years.

I always wanted to live in a place like KFC where everyone gets together and get to know each other and celebrate together rather than living in hatred, envy, or simply not interested in getting to know them.

I'm used to that!lol!  And no they don't warm up, the ones who do that. After several attempts, I gave up.  No need to knock my head against a wall.  It is probably the cultural differences, they being either Latin or White, they don't know me so it remains the same.  (notice I didn't think it is because I'm black? )

Yes they do I guess because they feel more comfortable.

I agree Trudy!  I have enough problems!

I am very fortunate. My neighbors all banned together before I moved in.  The house I bought was a drug house and they all got together and sued the estate (long story) and won. They actually won the highest settlement of its kind in this town.

I was ready to buy a house and at the time I would not have been able to afford a house in this neighborhood if it wasn't a "fixer upper" So, Voila! I got this house. The neighbors were so tickled to have someone normal (kind of ) that we met most of them right away. It was crazy. They all offered to help paint the outside of the house. It was this neon blue, so hideous.

We know most all of them on our street and can count on just about everyone. We are friendly with all and close to our nearest neighbors. I think this is the first time I have known and enjoyed my neighbors. It is really nice.

I remember the neighbors in Florida. Unless it was where I grew up which was long term residents or a place where the natives lived it was kind of cold. It is such a transient state. Unless you live in the retirement areas. Then it's transient but in a different sense.

I would love to be your neighbor Donna. Why don't you and your family move to Washington!

So true Whip, so true!

I have thought about that, truthfully!  I should visit there to see if I like it having never been! [I wasn't begging for an invite,   I've actually thought about taking the kids to see that great state!

You are absolutely right!  The thing is Florida is now becoming a resident state rather than just a retirement one and it is difficult sometimes with the way things are here.  But it is a wonderful place to live because when the weather is good it is great!  Transient is so true because people are so unstable here, they come and go in the wink of an eye!  No wonder there are no good neighbors around here!lol!

That is great Kelly!

I know all of the people in our block of apartments (which is only four so it isn't hard).  We're not friends with any of them, as they all keep to themselves.  At least everyone is pleasant to each other, though.

The area where we live is pretty friendly and laid back.  People say hello to each other when they pass on the street, which is really nice and a change from the previous suburb where we lived that had a high transient population and where the neighbours virtually ignored each other.

I've been living in the same block for ten years and I don't know the names of my neighbours. We tend to like to keep our distance for privacy, since there's not much as it is in this crowded little island. Some of us just smile when we see each other in the lift, other than that, most people just avoid eye contact all together.I think if you actually say hi and how are you, people will actually get suspicious and wonder what the heck you want.

Funny thing is, I'm friendlier with this woman I got to know living in the next block than any in my own.

I don't think it's true in all estates. Estates that are older with more elderly people tend to be friendlier. I guess they stay at home more and thus are more likely to interact with neighbours than younger people and younger families, where likely they aren't around in the day, and when they get home they just want some time and rest.

Actually, I think people in the previous generation are friendlier.  Just basing this on observing my mom and dad.  Then again, we hail from Saskatchewan which means we'll talk to pretty much anyone.

This is my fear, it is horrible!

LOL! I can understand that last part.  Of course there is nothing wrong in just being the "Hi" neighbor and nothing else.

Nothing wrong with that as I said.  At least they are civil and don't wish bad for you!