Neighbours

[smartprice]

Hello just wondering what could i say to my neighbours other than just smiling and saying hello i feel akward everytime i see them it getting tiresome i feel like i should say more they arent even new neighbours thank you.

[Paper]

This is a completely counterproductive solution, but I have the same problem, and I have recently taken to checking that none of the neighbours are around before leaving the house. I also go for a pointless meandering walk if I see any out front when I'm on my way home, unless they've already seen me approaching, in which case it's the old smile and say hello.

[Karen]

I'm the same way, I live in an apartment, so I have lots of neighbors. I tend to avoid them.... even to the point of waiting to leave my apartment if I hear them outside the door. But, if I encounter them, I just smile and say hello, I don't think they want or expect any more than that.

If you feel strongly that you should say more, you might ask 'how are you today?' or say something innocuous about the weather.

[Outcast]

At least you can smile, wave and look at them. Me? I can't even look at them in the eye. I can just walk past them with my head down everyday. I dunno why i feel awkward to smile, wave or talk to them when we are not even close. Maybe it's the same fear of being rejected and ignored by them. I would sometimes do this even with people i'm already familiar with at work. I can only acknowledge other people back if they are the ones that start smiling,waving or talking.

[Karen]

May 5, 2012 19:16:45 GMT -5 Outcast said:

I can only acknowledge other people back if they are the ones that start smiling,waving or talking.

I'm usually like this. Though I will try to glance and smile at the neighbors, but usually, if they don't say anything, I won't either. Unless we're right next to each other, (say passing one another on the walkway) then I will try to say 'hello', But, if they are just hanging outside their apartments, I usually just keep quiet, unless they talk to me first.

[Sexy Spork #37]

I'm generally on quite good terms with the neighbours. I always say hello and ask them how they're doing. It's a great question to ask because they're always going to say yes and the conversation ends there. It's not like they're going to tell you about all their problems like an episode of Jerry Springer right there in the middle of the street.

It's their children I can't stand. They are the spawn of Satan. They throw snowballs at my window. When I walk passed them on the street they all stop and stare at me with a look in their eyes akin to the look in the zombies eyes in 28 Days Later when they see their victim. What happened to quiet children who don't scream for the fun of it?

Part of the reason for being able to talk to the neighbours I suspect is because I've always found it easier to talk to people much older than myself. I don't know if that's true for all shy people, though.

I think the other part of the reason has got much to do with where you grow up. My town is very friendly and people talk to each other a lot and there's a wonderful community spirit right throughout the town. I've grown up with that and you sort of grow into it. I've said hello and good morning to solitary strangers who pass me by on the way to the shops. Sounds strange, but it used to happen every day until the dreadful modern era dawned.

I think it's best to try, to force yourself through things you find difficult, especially if you're shy. It's difficult, but works.