Every now and then, we hear various media houses and large corporations cheering and celebrating the fact that the world has become a global village. Connectivity and communication are easier now than ever before. While sitting in one corner of the world, you can seamlessly communicate with a loved one sitting miles and miles away thanks to the introduction of the internet and the various communication apps.
With apps like Skype, FaceTime, and WhatsApp, you can not only hear a loved one’s voice but also see them. You have made a Facebook buddy and know all there is to know about them. But do you know your next-door neighbor that well?
While technology and the internet have connected individuals across borders and oceans, the gap between those physically nearby has only grown, according to Brainspire. The latter is due to the fact that we are so absorbed in our virtual worlds and lives that we frequently forget there is a real-world outside of our phones.
Ask your grandparents about the type of bonding they had with their neighbors and you will be left surprised. They will tell you about how their children grew up more in their neighbor’s house rather than theirs. You will also hear stories of how they left their children under the custody of their neighbors for days and even weeks at times. The best amongst your discoveries will be perhaps that whenever your grandparents left the house for any long trip, they left the house keys, jewels, and even important documents with their neighbors.
Such a level of trust and strong bonding with a nonblood relationship is unimaginable today. But why? Can’t we have the same bond with our neighbors today? Of course, we can, and in this article, we shall tell you how you can establish such a bond. However, before doing so, let us explore what you are missing out on without such a bond.
The Benefits of Establishing a Trust-Based Relationship with Your Neighbors
According to the Young Foundation’s study, Neighbouring in Contemporary Britain, an individual’s busy work schedule and varying lifestyle needs have significantly reduced the time they spend in their locality. However, as per Lincoln Military Housing, not knowing your neighbors drives an individual from several benefits. Here is how a strong bond with your neighbor benefits you:
- The neighbors will look after your kids and house in your absence.
- You can expect a gracious helping hand from your neighbors whenever planning an important event such as a wedding or a funeral.
- You won’t have to search far to have a good time whenever you organize a party.
- In your darkest moments, you will receive unrivaled support and a shoulder to cry on. You will not miss your relative who resides in the other corner of the world.
- A strong bond with neighbors forms the base for a lifelong friendship.
But the question is, you have been so engrossed in your work and virtual life that you do not remember the last time you said Hhi’ to your neighbor. So how do you build such a relationship?
Read on.
How to form local bonds akin to those of our forefathers
1. Start from scratch
Well, the first thing is first. You have not properly greeted your neighbor in quite a while. So start with doing precisely that. The first step in establishing any conversion or even a relationship is saying ‘hello’.
But it should not be the type of ‘hello’ you would say to your friends when you are rushing to work but don’t want to sound rude. Imagine the expression on your neighbor’s face when you haven’t spoken to them for ages, and suddenly you pop from behind the fence and say, “Oh hi there, Mrs. Brown! Ah, your garden looks so nice. I am sorry I’m rushing to work. See you!”
Mrs. Brown will probably think you still got a hangover from the party in your house last night. Therefore, start the conversation when you know you have ample time so that you and your neighbor can smoothly get to know each other.
2. Look for common interests and invite them for recreational activities
Now that you are on good talking terms with your neighbor, it’s time to invite them for some fun activities. The very first task is to find out what their interests are. You can use Nuwber to do that. The results will reveal their contact details and social media accounts through which you can easily carry out your research.
Once you find a common hobby, ask them to join you for it the coming weekend.
3. Offer a helping hand and support
Just like you are trying to connect with your neighbor with the expectation of receiving some support during hard times, your neighbor expects the same from you. Therefore, offer them help whenever there is a need. The help here does not mean assisting only with chores but also the emotional support your neighbor craves on their bad day.
Show them that you understand their problems. That is how trust is established in a relationship.
4. Do not intrude
Nevertheless, you should not cross your limits when trying to help your neighbor out in their bad times. Always inquire whether there is anything you can do to help, but never become involved in family affairs. Respect is the bedrock of any relationship, therefore respect your neighbor’s privacy. Do not speak when there isn’t a need for you to do so.
5. Retain the bond
Lastly, if you were bonding with your neighbor because you had a business trip to take and needed someone to take care of your house, your attitude should not change after you have attained the above. It would be very rude if you abruptly stopped talking to your neighbor because you do not need them anymore. Remember, the aim is to establish a lifetime friendship.
Conclusion
Overall, establishing a good relationship with your neighbors is essential no matter the era you are living in. This is because your neighbors are the closest people to you, and they will be the first ones to reach you in case of an emergency. Mostly, even before the rest of your family arrives. This relationship can be easily established through the steps above.