Q&A for How to Be a Good Neighbour

Know your neighbors. Go introduce yourself to them. Exchange numbers with them so you can communicate if anything suspicious is going on. The more you know people in your neighborhood, the safer you'll be.

If you see other kids, try to talk to them and become friends with them. Be yourself and maybe they'll go to you when they see you. Tell them that you're new in the area, where you've moved from and what school you'll be going to soon. Ask them for their recommendations of good things to do in the area.

Yes. It is polite to return what is borrowed, or to at least return a favor in kind.

Paranoia of that nature can be a sign of dementia, and reasoning may not be possible. Remind her to make sure all her doors and windows are locked at night, and make sure any family or caregivers are aware of her concerns.

Don't be petty. Leave your fetishes for when you move back home. Contribute to being respectful. Have monthly meetings to discuss regulation of the household.

You called the cops because your neighbor collected your trash can on a windy day? Yes, you handled it wrong. You should have just gone over and thanked your neighbor for collecting your trash can. He/she was probably just trying to keep it from blowing away. You really need to apologize and bring a gift.

Look at it this way: sometimes, people do and say things that they regret later. The only thing you need to do is offer your neighbors a sincere apology. (A small gift, like some cookies, might help too.) If your neighbors are reasonable, then hopefully they will understand that you made a mistake and forgive you.

Some people give little thought to how their actions affect others. Try being direct without aggression. Communication often works. Don't be discouraged by an initial negative response, as some people get defensive. Give them a couple of days to come around. If they cease the disturbing activity, make sure to show gratitude to let them know all is well.

You can bake them treats or cook them food, or stop over and say hello to them. You can check in on them and see how they are doing.

It's best to first approach your neighbors in person to see if you can both come to a compromise regarding what is bothering you, if there is a particular problem. If they are just rude in general, then you might want to avoid them. Or, you can try to develop a relationship with them by being overly kind. Offer them small gifts or try to offer your help.

Assisting anyone is being a good person. Being that it is your neighbor, yes, that would make you a good neighbor.

You can ask them what they need help with, and lend a hand in any way that they need.

You should talk to your neighbor before tossing anything from your yard back into theirs. They might actually see you throwing things over and assume that you are littering in their yard and not vice versa. When you speak with them see if you can offer them a way to compromise, such as you trimming any overhanging branches.

You can share food, flowers, wine, etc. with your neighbors. Treat them as friends!

Giving your neighbor a small welcoming gift or a gift for special occasions is often a good idea. This can be a good way to open up conversation. They may even be tempted to offer you assistance in the future if you need it after you've been friendly. Re-gifting is usually okay, as long as the gift is in like new condition.

There's nothing to be scared of. Just start small by saying "Hello," or "How are you" and gradually work your way up to having longer conversations. When you see that nothing bad happens when you talk to your neighbors, it will feel a lot less scary.

It honestly depends on the illegal activity. If they're not harming anyone else or causing property damage or stealing anything, consider if it's really worth getting law enforcement involved. If they are doing something harmful, call the police and report it.

Yes! Baking is a great way to show kindness to your neighbors, and just about everybody likes cookies. Make sure to alert them to any potential allergens in the cookies, like nuts.

Have a word with their parents, this is completely unacceptable and they are trespassing on your property. This issue needs addressed quickly because if you don't stop them now, this will go on forever. You should not take no for an answer and you can call the cops if you need to, if the worst comes to the worst, maybe put up a wall or fence to stop them getting in!