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~30 year old Lemmings who live in apartments, do you make friends with your neighbours? (lemm.ee)

submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

42 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Beyond the polite "Hey, how's it going". Close enough to hang out at each other's apartment, maybe even ask them to water your plants or feed your pet while you're away.

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[–] kava 46 points 5 days ago (3 children)

Typically, not friends. I'll greet them and make small talk.

I walk my dog multiple times a day at similar hours and other neighbors do as well. So I'll run into the same people regularly. We'll talk a little bit. Sometimes I'll talk a few minutes, sometimes it's just a greeting.

I have asked on two occasions in 3 years for a neighbor to take out the dog. So generally no, but it has happened

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (2 children)

The dog owners are a big reason I thought about this more. Like you said, it's usually at similar hours everyday so I'll run into a few pretty regularly. They usually seem like they're in a rush to get their walk done so I don't want to bog them down with small talk, and at the same time I don't know if I'm just being awkward by not engaging with them more.

[–] kava 6 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

my tip is just to greet people loudly with a smile. say good morning, talk about weather, whatever

i've found that most people will do as you say. just try and look away and go about their day. some people can even look mean with a face that is not inviting at all.

but if you say hi in a friendly way one day, they look at you surprised a mutter something back.

the next time you see them, they have a smile on their face and they greet you more warmly.

really this is the thing about human connection. someone has to bridge that gap. and it's not hard to do

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago

This is true. It's because people are generally on auto pilot and don't want to risk awkward conversations. But if you can make the initial contact a positive one, they will warm up quickly. Unless it's a girl and she thinks you are trying to hit on her, then she may starting to take another route.