Neighbours

[Petronius]

I have always been puzzled why neighbours can be so standoffish. Essentially I would like to know what are they afraid of? And why is it that human beings who live so close together and share so much common humanity can get by with mere polite and perfunctionary greetings and minor chit chat.

I have my theories. One is they fear intimacy of any degree will somehow interfere with their 'quiet enjoyment'. The last thing they want is a neighbour borrowing their lawnmower or asking for sugar. Another idea I have is that people become very territorial about their homes and plots. It is a partly subconscious simian thing and when they see a neighbour there is a reaction that this person might encroach on their territory. Another idea I have is that their home is the one space where they can drop psychological presentation and relax. Neighbours are seen as a threat to this domain of free expression.

[Bill Wiltrack]

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I think this is a rich philosophical topic and your insights are dead-nuts-on.


Can't figure out why this thread did not garner any responses....


Good first post. WELCOME to the forum.





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[henry quirk]

I believe fences make for good neighbors. For some of us, it's not about fear of intimacy or territorialism or privacy...it's about bein' damned busy with our own lives. No doubt there are folks who have all the time in the world to hob-nob with neighbors and strangers and whatnot, but some of us don't have the luxury (or the energy, or the inclination).

And: don't dismiss "polite and perfunctionary greetings and minor chit chat"...that stuff is as good as a peace treaty when it comes to having a civil neighborhood.

[GreatandWiseTrixie]

I have always been puzzled why neighbours can be so standoffish. Essentially I would like to know what are they afraid of? And why is it that human beings who live so close together and share so much common humanity can get by with mere polite and perfunctionary greetings and minor chit chat.

I have my theories. One is they fear intimacy of any degree will somehow interfere with their 'quiet enjoyment'. The last thing they want is a neighbour borrowing their lawnmower or asking for sugar. Another idea I have is that people become very territorial about their homes and plots. It is a partly subconscious simian thing and when they see a neighbour there is a reaction that this person might encroach on their territory. Another idea I have is that their home is the one space where they can drop psychological presentation and relax. Neighbours are seen as a threat to this domain of free expression.

I agree. If I have a hot neighbor, we should have sex that very same day. Shouldn't have to wait for months for the social air, angst, anxiety, aversion and awkwardness to die down.

Notice those were all A words. Fits perfectly into my theory of runes.

[Bill Wiltrack]

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.......................................................................................Awesome!





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[Kristofer]

I think many have social anxiety or just like to be alone.