I am planning ahead as I shall be moving into a new house in a few months. I have been in discussion with the wife about whether we should introduce ourselves to our new neighbours or wait for them. She is adamant that she won’t be introducing herself as she says its weird. This has somewhat surprised me as she is the out-going and friendly one that everyone likes and I’m the miserable, angry one that everyone hates. Part of my question, as my wife has correctly identified, is because I worry about this sort of stuff and the thought of meeting new people normally fills me with dread. I generally avoid most people.
I have done the research and googled the answer to my question. Unfortuantely I have found some very mixed messages. This response is as weird as they come, as far as I’m concerned, but was ranked as the “best” answer…
Internet person said:
Actually, proper etiquette would be for them to come to you, as you are the new arrival. It would be rude for you to force yourself upon people who are already established there.
However, we live in different times and you can’t expect anyone to come as we are all so transient now that new arrivals are more frequent. Neighbors often don’t know each other. I think you hve to respect their space for a while. After about a month or so, send a card around to your neighbors introducing yourself and letting them know you are there. Let them know you are interested in getting to know them and include you phone number. You might also have an open house after a while to meet and greet. Don’t press too hard, as they might think you are a bit odd.
Now that sounds like the most weird thing you could possibly do. Sending a card after a month with your phone number in it? Fuck off. Thats the response of a sex pest.
But I found this Daily Mail article from 2013 that says only one in three people introduce themselves to their neighbours and lamenting the loss of community. I don’t want to be responsible for the loss of community but equally I don’t want to be a sex pest.