Tips to get along well with your neighbors.

Not many of us are lucky enough to live on such an extended property that no neighbor in the world can bother us. There are few who do, but the rest of us, whether we like it or not, must be in good relations with the people, above, below or next door to us.

Why is that? Why can’t we be always fighting with the neighbors? First of all because nobody likes living in a hostile environment and secondly because it’s always good to have somebody keeping an eye on your property while you’re gone, picking up your mail if you have to sign for it and you’re not home etc.

But what if your neighbor is so crazy and impossible to deal with, that he actually made his previous neighbors move? Should you surrender and move away, as well? Or should you try to somehow turn the situation in your favor?

Anyways, there are some things that always work, even with the strangest neighbors, and which you should apply whenever you want to improve or maintain your good relations them with the ones living next door.

• First of all be friendly: scream good morning or have a good one every time you see them; admire their car, their beautiful garden and their lawn.

• At the community reunion tell everybody how good, friendly and helpful is to have them as neighbors, although, in fact they are the most awful persons you ever had to deal with. This way, they will feel obliged to slowly start to behave.

• If your children go to the same school, offer to give their children a ride as well or at least organize a schedule, so that each family takes their turn.

• When you mow your lawn, you get dirty anyway. Offer to mow their lawn as well, and with the minimal effort (taking into consideration that you’re already dirty) you’ll make them feel they owe to feel thankful to you.

• If your next door people are found of animals and the have a puppy, don’t let them take it to a hotel or a shelter, while they go out of town for business, or vacation. Make the effort to take care of the poor creature, even if you have to take anti allergy drugs.

• When you barbecue in your back yard, especially if your houses are really close, don’t forget to grill some extra meat for your neighbors, as well. Remember how hungry you get, as soon as you feel barbecue smell and, no matter how many goodies you have in your fridge, you can never feel full, unless you cook your own barbecue.

• Invite them to swim in your pool, but demand, from the beginning that they have to contribute at cleaning the water.

• Don’t send away their kids when they come to sing carols for you for Christmas!