Do you introduce yourself to new neighbours when moving into a new place?

[-]

FirstEverRedditUser@reddit

I make myself available for the initial awkward contact and take it from there.

[-]

TSC-99@reddit

I would try and catch them outside coincidentally and then introduce myself and say hi

[-]

In a WhatsApp group with about 10 of mine, had a BBQ together in the summer, coming round mine for Xmas drinks in a few weeks. it's great. We live in a city centre where I don't think that's the norm but I really like it.

[-]

FlyBuy3@reddit

How was the WhatsApp group initiated and new people join?

[-]

Ohshutyourmouth@reddit

just took one friendly person. lots take in parcels for each other so that helps as an ice breaker.

[-]

im-hippiemark@reddit

I moved into a block of flats so it was a bit easier to bump into people and introduce myself but people don't have a lot of spare time, so I wrote a hello card, nothing long winded just hello, my name and that I'd just moved in. Seems to work quite well.

[-]

realfakethrowawaycom@reddit

Yeah but only because I'm a registered sex offender

[-]

aaron2933@reddit

By law, I have to

[-]

Fun-Breadfruit6702@reddit

In London - no way this would be weird, everywhere else yes it’s fine

[-]

Current_Scarcity_379@reddit

We’ve been in our current house for 20 odd years now so obviously haven’t moved recently ! However, I would just knock the door and introduce myself, especially if they’re elderly. I’d also have no issues with someone who has moved in next door or a couple of doors away knocking my door to introduce themselves. It’s one thing that has got lost over the years, a bit of community spirit. Be good to see a bit more of it.

[-]

karma3001@reddit

they’ll probably be anxious as heck wondering who’s moving in.

Some might be, but some probably won’t know or care less, as they’ll be too busy doing their own thing.

[-]

thebudofthebud@reddit

Etiquette really is that the existing neighbours should welcome you, not the other way around.

Personally I'd just wait until I bumped into them naturally

[-]

20127010603170562316@reddit

My (Romanian) neighbours gave my wife chocolates and flowers when we moved in! Barely got a hello from the other (British) side, but we do know each others names now and say hi in the street.

[-]

TheToyGirl@reddit

Also...one thing. Its always good to write your name down and any pronunciation. Living for ages and having forgotten the name is a killer. I am not good aural remembering of names. Awkward as fuck.

[-]

dinkidoo7693@reddit

If its a house yes, block of flats no

[-]

TheToyGirl@reddit

Most succinct and accurate reply yet!

[-]

Mikon_Youji@reddit

I moved 3 years ago and still don't know most of my neighbours, but I'm not a very social person.

[-]

mohammedafify1@reddit

If a chance presents itself, just cause I'm of Arab origins, not all ppl get too gregarious with me.

[-]

TheToyGirl@reddit

I come from a hospitality is key background, so would love to meet you. It's the modern Brits I have no idea how to greet. Old folk..yes.

[-]

pothelswaite@reddit

Yes, and I I take them a bottle of wine. Always got on really well with neighbours, luckily!

[-]

TheToyGirl@reddit

Or take wine, non alcoholic wine, chocolates, cheese and flowers...let them pick lol. You'll then know who you're dealing with!

[-]

TheToyGirl@reddit

I think it's nice tbh..or post a card with names and can leave contact number or email perhaps.

In Japan you take a basket with household goods around..washing powder, toilet roll etc. I kinda like that.

It's hard with dietary stuff etc these days so maybe a small plant cutting or potted herb? You can caveat with..please dont think I'm weird, I just wanted to introduce myself.

[-]

MrLore@reddit

Good Lord no

[-]

Cleveland_Grackle@reddit

Kind of happened by accident with us. Seller had a ton of stuff in the garage which we said he could leave there until the following weekend when he'd come and pick it up. He arrived with a few neighbours he knew to help. We helped as well and that got us to know our new neighbours.

[-]

SleepyWelshGirl@reddit

No, that's a thing of the past. People aren't close with neighbours in most cases, we say good morning, and will put people's bins in for them if say we know they are elderly or the bin is left blocking a drive. Other than that it's just polite conversation when you see each other. I wouldn't deliberately introduce yourself by knocking on doors but I'd say hello when seeing them. I'm sure I read somewhere that around 30% of people actively avoid neighbours and will go as far as to look through windows to make sure the coast is clear before leaving the house. With Christmas coming up I think it's nice to post a card through, a generic seasons greetings one, saying from such and such at number whatever. We used to do that but most people don't send cards anymore.

[-]

Rassilon182@reddit

You sound like an American! Move in, go about your life and business but upon meeting neighbours by chance then of course introduce yourself and be friendly.

[-]

avalonMMXXII@reddit

yes, but I noticed not everyone is so talkative, especially introverted people. I learned to done it down now and instead of going out of my way to tel me my name and how I am their new neighbor, I nod or smile if i see them and if they talk to me, I will respond.

From my observation though, younger people do not like to talk to their neighbors (especially if they are older than them) I would say they start to get more talkative with neighbors in their 30s and as they get older they get more and more talkative with neighbors.

HOWEVER, there are older neighbors that simply want nothing to do with younger neighbors and refuse to acknowledge then and instead ignore them...probably because they assume the younger neighbor does not want to talk to them.

But regardless of age, some people are just introverts and like to stay to themselves, I can understand that, they want their privacy. They could have also had bad experiences with being friends with neighbors in the past and want to avoid it.

[-]

wardyms@reddit

Normally just let it organically happen. Because I would normally greet a new neighbour rather than expect them to go and introduce themselves to everyone.

We moved during Covid and found a decent hack at Christmas. Send all your neighbours Christmas cards with your names in and your house number. Every house sent one back with their names in.

[-]

bradclark2001@reddit

I said hi when I saw them, nothing much else.

I mean, I've got their back, and I'd like to think they have mine, and that is that. I don't think some little conversation would change that.

[-]

DameKumquat@reddit

It's a nice thing to do, and means you get to sus out the neighbours. Go for it.

Definitely do it before buying a home... We pulled out of buying one flat after meeting the neighbours. Bought one just down the road and got abuse yelled every time I walked past, so could have been much worse.

[-]

misspixal4688@reddit

Nope. If I see them and they say hello, I put on one of many masks and greet them back. If they even remotely imply they want me to come over or hang out, I gently mention that I'm autistic and struggle socially. I often receive an awkward look and a goodbye, and that's that.

[-]

squashedfrog92@reddit

I think it’s normal as I grew up in a small town, to the extent I wanted to go round with some brownies or something to start us off on a good footing as neighbours.

On the other end of the spectrum, my partner disagrees and said it would be weird to go round with a gift because we moved in and if anything it would normally be the other way around.

Turns out our only neighbour works nights so we only ever cross paths if we’ve taken a package in for her. She’s polite enough.

Suits us fine, I didn’t want to be friends as such, just friendly enough to take each other’s bins out if we know the other is away, feed pets etc.

As it turns out, she has horrible family with feral children visit regularly so I’m quite glad we never made a connection! Will be very glad to move away from the area and sadly never have a trustworthy neighbour to feed the cat here.

[-]

Top-level comments to the OP must contain genuine efforts to answer the question. No jokes, judgements, etc.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!

Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.