The Good Neighbour

We live in a time where one can stay indoors all day and still fulfill almost all his duties without needing to interact much with his immediate neighbours. A lot of people go about with headsets, earphones and ear buds with their eyes glued to their phones barely paying attention to the next human they cross paths with not to talk of saying a hello or even starting a conversation.

Some people cite personality and being an introvert as reasons to not engage with their neighbours while some others just like keeping to themselves or don't want "drama" in their neighborhood.
To each his own.

Normally, I am not too friendly but I make it a point to interact with my neighbours at least the basic "hello, hi" is enough for a start and occasionally we can go further in exchanging pleasantries. I would be passively studying the neighbour to ensure that he or she is fit to be called a good neighbour that can be trustworthy. Once I establish that the person is a good individual, I would proceed to make acquaintances and even exchange contact with them. This is how I ensure that my neighbourhood is better and not just passing through.

This is very important because no man in as island and there would definitely be days when either I need their help or they need mine.

There are also neighbours that I realise early enough that they are not interested in making friends with others. When I spot those ones who are not interested in making friends, I play my cool without making it a big deal because I understand that there are individual differences.

In the event of an emergency and I need to call a neighbour to help me with some delicate assignment, I would readily have at least three people I could call to help out. Depending on the specific task and who is available at the time.
That's how much I trust some of my neighbours and how good my interaction with them has been so far.

There are also those ones that even if they are the last resort, I would not be able to even inform them. I would rather find other alternatives no matter how distant they would be.

Judging by how I co-exist with those around me and seeing how some of my neighbours often rely upon me, I would say that I am a good neighbour too. I am the type of neighbour that I would like others to be.
If all neighbours were like me, most environments that have troubles would be very peaceful.

To my neighbours, I am also a speed dial option they can call whenever the need arises and I always help out as best as I can. Even the times I could not help out directly, I ensure to make effort in bringing the appropriate help which is why many of my neighbours like me.