How to be a good neighbour
Do you know your neighbors? Like really know them? Their first names, the types of cars they drive, what holidays they celebrate?
According to a 2021Pew Research study, roughly a quarter of adults under 30 report that they don't know any of their neighbors. The following tips are both for young people and adults in the room.
Get to know your neighbors.
It may seem obvious, but getting to know your neighbors is the first step to becoming a kind neighbor. And if you feel comfortable, let them know that you're there to help, if they ever need another hand.
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It can feel so easy to just go home, close your door and turn on the TV without having to make small talk, but connecting with others is worth the effort. And if you take the first step, your small acts of kindness can encourage others to pay that kindness forward-making even more people feel good.
Make small kind gestures a daily practice.
Another way to take care of your neighborhood is by making small acts of kindness a daily practice. Use the skills and resources available to you-maybe you aren't a baker, but you have an amazing garden. You can ask your partner or kids to help you pick flowers from your garden to give your new neighbor a bouquet. .
Check your implicit bias（偏见）.
But remember to check your bias, and ask yourself why you feel uncomfortable and unsafe, rather than putting the blame on your neighbors.
Actions speak louder than words, and your attitudes towards marginalized and vulnerable people also set an example for your kids. So be mindful of the different people in your community and actively remind yourself to treat everyone with respect and care.
| A. Remember, every small gesture counts. B. Meet and engage with different people. C. Remind yourself that being connected feels good. D. Building a caring community is a valuable way to stay connected to the place you live. E. It doesn't take a lot of money or a grand gesture to be an active neighbor. F. Looking out for your neighbors is an important part of being in a community. G. Get out of your comfort zone and try to learn their names and what they do for work. |
