Things Good Neighbors Do

From experience and expertise, etiquette experts share eight things you should do to be an ideal neighbor.

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Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, author of "Modern Etiquette for a Better Life" and founder of the Texas School of Communication (USA), said one of the best ways to welcome new neighbors is to give them a list of things to know when living here.

If you know a nice housekeeper, a cheap laundromat, or a good place to eat nearby, share that person’s contact information with your new neighbors. You should also suggest the best grocery store, restaurant, or pharmacy nearby.

Keep the sidewalk in front of the house clean

Just one unsightly, untidy house can devalue an entire neighborhood, so Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute, an etiquette training company in the United States, advises cleaning it every day if you don’t want to be the owner of such a house.

Don't leave your front yard with overgrown grass, dirty windows, peeling paint, or trash. "Clean up as much of the front yard as possible," says Lizzie Post.

Be responsible for your pets

Pets can be a major source of conflict between neighbors, so make sure they go to the bathroom in the right place, clean up after themselves, and don’t let them run around and disturb your neighbors, says San Francisco-based etiquette consultant Lisa Mirza Grotts.

When walking your dog, Lisa advises not to put the poop bag in someone else's trash. "It sounds simple, but a lot of people make this mistake," Lisa says.

Host activities

Attend neighborhood parties, cookouts, and other events to socialize and build neighborhood relationships.

And to further connect with people, Elaine Swann, founder of the Swann Protocol School (California, USA) recommends organizing activities for neighbors to participate in, such as decorating the neighborhood playground during the Mid-Autumn Festival or Tet...

Invite neighbors over

One way to build relationships is to invite neighbors to your party instead of just inviting friends. However, let everyone know that you don't accept gifts.

Once you've established relationships, you might start a neighborhood book club or a weekly soccer game to deepen your neighborhood bond.

No gossip

To be a good neighbor, you should avoid gossip. However, you need to distinguish between good and bad rumors.

According to the Post, if a neighbor’s mother dies, it’s appropriate to inform the surrounding families so they can attend the funeral. But if you know that the family next door is having an argument or is unemployed, don’t tell anyone.

Comply with community rules

When you live in an apartment or condominium, you must follow community rules. These can include parking restrictions, garbage collection schedules, landscaping requirements, moving procedures, home repairs, etc.

If you are hosting a party or event with a large crowd, you should be mindful of the noise level. Your home can be a little more lively during important events, but it should be within the permitted time and at a moderate level to avoid disturbing the neighbors.

When guests come to your home, you also need to pay attention to their parking space, do not occupy other people's sidewalks without permission.

Handling conflicts wisely

No matter how friendly you are, you may have disagreements or arguments with your neighbors. Handling conflicts tactfully is important.

If you have a problem with a neighbor, try to resolve the issue with that person directly.

Let's say your neighbor's dog pees in front of your house. Start the topic with a compliment, then suggest working together to find a solution: "Squid is a very smart dog. But I notice he pees in front of my house a lot."

If the problem cannot be resolved directly, report to the area manager or floor manager for intervention.