Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[snowflake]

I love turkey stuffing. Hot, cold, wet or dry, I can eat it all. Send me a care package.

I worked yesterday and they held us over. The store closed at 4:00 but we had to get the trucks unloaded before we could leave. The rest of the store was treated to pizza for working on Thanksgiving but us dock workers were excluded.
To add insult to injury, the night crew didn't work the stock we unloaded so it was still there this morning. Guess who had to do that job!

totally not nice at all.

 

[snowflake]

people are afraid to interact, partly to avoid upsetting some one else and partly because they are afraid of the virus.

 

[1muttsfan]

I have not noticed that at all. We are still just as neighborly, just a little farther apart. We all know we can count on each other in a pinch.

 

[Sally PB]

This pandemic has really put a stop to almost all compassionate neighborly behavior

Not around me! Five houses on my road, and we kind of look out for one another. I have told everyone who lives by me that we are our first line of defense, in any situation. I have said, you need help at 2 am? Pound on my door! Because I could not bear to think that someone needed aid, and didn't feel like I would help them. I give my neighbors garden stuff, home made jam, fire wood when the power was out, and (eventually!) eggs. I know if I ever needed help, I could ask anyone here.

We still chat, we wave. Maybe we stand a little farther apart, but the caring comes through.

Just about everyone has given me goodies for the chickens.

 

[electrycmonk]

So you're neighbors are now being dis-compassionate?

On my street we have had a massive turnover in last 2 years. Of those new ones, eye contact is averted. There a few right next to us that are still semi-neighborly....

(Shrugs) maybe I'm not using the right vocab.... There have been a few others who have had refreshingly great replies to this - my observation.....

 

[aart]

On my street we have had a massive turnover in last 2 years. Of those new ones, eye contact is averted. There a few right next to us that are still semi-neighborly....

I don't think 'neighborly' disappears because of Covid....
....if it was there before Covid, it would still be there.
Unless it's a mask vs anti-mask thing that evolves.

 

[Frankiegirl]

My current neighborhood is pretty tight w exception of a few newer neighbors that have moved in over the past handful of years. Many of us through Covid have actually become closer due to the virus. We’ve had dinners in our driveways and had the opportunity to spend some time together.

That being said..there is a new culture of unfriendliness that has seeped into the community where someone will be walking down your sidewalk...see you in your yard...and act like you’re not even there. It is mostly from new neighbors. Its not enough to totally poison the pot, but one of the reasons I’m moving from the neighborhood before the balance tips.

The other reason is because ofCHICKENS!!! I’ve found they are much nicer than some of my neighbors and I’d rather be cleaning their coop than deal with someone who goes out of their way to ignore you.

Plain bad manners.

 

[1muttsfan]

People who move from urban centers often avoid contact, even eye contact. It is a way to give everyone at least the illusion privacy in crowded places where people are forced into closer contact than allows real privacy, and is considered polite (if not much safer). When they move into more rural areas they can have a difficult time adjusting - and some never do. Your newer neighbors maybe are just being polite. Maybe a plate of cookies left on the doorstep with a note, or some other gesture, would break the ice.

 

[RaZ]

People who move from urban centers often avoid contact, even eye contact. It is a way to give everyone at least the illusion privacy in crowded places where people are forced into closer contact than allows real privacy, and is considered polite (if not much safer). When they move into more rural areas they can have a difficult time adjusting - and some never do. Your newer neighbors maybe are just being polite. Maybe a plate of cookies left on the doorstep with a note, or some other gesture, would break the ice.

I both agree and disagree with this. There seems to be regional differences of what is social. After moving here I am still trying to determine what is socially acceptable and what isn't. I've been here a few years now and still don't understand the "rules" of fitting in.
I've made friends and lost some too in the time I've been here. It's all quite strange to me. Being friendly with some people causes issues with the "locals" who are not comfortable with those who are not year-round residents.

 

[aart]

Regional differences may exist.....but also people differ everywhere.

Maybe a plate of cookies left on the doorstep with a note, or some other gesture, would break the ice.

Indeed, making the first move can work well.