Why Everybody Needs Good Neighbours? I Mean, Good Neighbours Like Me!

“You can’t pick your neighbour, they just happen”, I read it somewhere and that is so true. If I’m allowed to be philosophical, it’s nothing but “good karma” :P that will ensure you do not end up with the “nosy kind”. It seems like my karma has been favouring me and I’ve been abundantly blessed with an entire lane and more of awesome people. Cheers to all my neighbours (past and present)!

Working your way towards becoming an amazing neighbour is not that hard, “love thy neighbour as thyself”, yeah, with colourfully wrapped goodies and eatables, so that they will also love you back the same way! :-) Well, neighbours are you reading this?

So it will soon be April and almost the time for the folks here at DSSC to bid farewell.  Splendid 10 months, great company, new friends and a lot to miss; well, I think I’ll save the sentimental bit for another post. With hardly a month left everyone seems to be busy catching up with friends and acquaintances, making the best out of the little time they get to spend together. And of late, we have also been making such rounds!

Usually the ladies here engage in activities like breakfast get-togethers and potlucks in the morning half, which is also the time I am super engaged with my office work. I have missed some fun that way but have always made sure to attend one whenever I could. So although I haven’t been very fortunate to strike a close connection with many, of the little that I have known them they are all beautiful people, the “Good Samaritan” kind! :-)

So why do we need good neighbours? I can share a few points and you guys can join in.

Disclaimer – Do not judge me or my neighbours with these points. It’s just a different way of thinking and some of us, at least, may have done or come cross these.

Where is the nearest grocery store? - At the neighbour’s! Yes, not at the junction or at the community gate or even a kilometer away. The nearest grocery store is just a doorstep away. It is much more convenient than any convenient store, think about it. Where else do you get sugar, tea powder or even milk, as early as 6.30 AM? I bet even “7 Eleven” stores can’t keep up with this routine. That too in the quantity you specify, like a tablespoon, a bowl or a glass? Yes, neighbour grocery metric system is a lot different!

Who is your emergency baby sitter? – You know the answer, don’t you? And that’s one place you can be sure that your kid will be told what is right and wrong, the way it is to be told. Neighbours usually do not act nice like others, they can be strict, if need be. After all, they are family!

Which is one place you can self invite any time? – At the neighbour’s! It could be for a quick tea that begins at the doorstep and then leads to the dining, and continues for a couple of hours there, or, following something smelling good at their kitchen, you could just drop in for taste testing. Either way, you can self invite and be enthralled at your neighbour’s culinary skills.

Which is one place you can party hard and late? - At the neighbour’s again! What’s more? The “drinker” in you can drink to your heart’s content and still don’t worry about driving back home. If not on legs, you can still manage to reach your house in good shape. How cool is that?

What about your neighbour’s party leftovers? – Well, that becomes your next day’s meal. The key here is to hang around till the end, which you will, after all your neighbour has thrown a party, and be rest assured that you will go home smiling with a bag of leftovers. In any case, if that does not happen, don’t worry; you will get it parceled the next day. So it is a wise decision to wait for the parcel before you start your cooking next day. If none of these happen, well, go ahead and ask for it; yes, nothing to be ashamed of here! :P

Did your collection of utensils just grow over the years? – It’s because you love thy neighbour and their stuff too! Well, it could work the other way round as well – you may find one odd piece missing from your set of bowls, but that’s okay. Your stuff in your neighbour’s house is as good as having it in your shelf or vice-versa.

Who has seen your worst self but still stand up for you? – Let me be specific here, “Good Neighbours”! Let’s get one thing clear – however hard you try to impress your neighbour that isn't going to work. They have seen you with batter all over, oil dripping from your hair, shouting at the top of your voice at your hubby, in teeny-weeny shots and in a house full of mess. You needn't go into a cleaning spree for your neighbour nor do you have to throw away those discoloured pajamas. Your good neighbours are absolutely cool about it!

So when I stock up my karma to carry some luck to my next destination, what do you have to share about your “not nosy kind” neighbours?