Posted on 06/07/2017 11:21:34 AM PDT by simpson96
I am glad I am this old so I don’t have to live in this cold, uncaring world for 50 more years. Many Americans appear to have become shallow, immoral, intolerant, and hateful.
Let me tell you about my Southern California neighborhood. I have lived in this one for 22 years. I don’t know anyone, but it’s not for lack of trying. Each time a new neighbor moves in I bake a loaf of bread and take it to them. They thank me at the door and then close it. That is the last I see of them other than when they go to their cars.
One neighbor was pregnant and her husband was employed, so I gave her my phone number just in case she needed anything. She thanked me and didn’t give me her number. We spoke over the fence occasionally, but not in any way that would turn us into buddies or even casual friends. They moved.
Our newest neighbors dropped a card on our front porch before their bread was baked to tell us their names and gave us their phone number. I still have it four years later. I baked the bread and the mister thanked me at the door. I have never met the Mrs. in person.
I hosted a coffee klatch and made up fliers and put them on the 12 nearest homes. I got donuts, cut up fruit, and made coffee and tea. Six people came, drank the tea, and no one touched the donuts or fruit. They chatted about who all used to live here in this neighborhood over the years, said thank you and left. No one asked a single question of me. I have never been to their homes or had a conversation with any of them since.
(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...
>>It’s called, “No Stay-At-Home Moms”.
Bingo. Encapsulates the whole issue in one phrase. Brilliant!
The first thing I always tell them is, 'We can do this 2 ways. If you're nice, I'll be nice. Mess with me, and I'll be your worst nightmare!'
I had hoped that when Barack Obama was elected we would not only continue our healing from sad historical periods (slavery, and the hard times of civil unrest), but our nation would also be united, blessed, and even better, for we are all Americans. Instead, it was further divided. The division is worse, tolerance is a forgotten word, and feelings are hurt over nothing. Shocking as it may be, it appears that people now think it is okay to take other people’s stuff, damage other people’s property, and even hurt other people physically.
Shocking? Now? People have been okay with taking other people's stuff forever, or at least since they realized that they could get away with it by proxy via government redistribution. With Obama, it merely came out of the closet, as did other... behaviors and attitudes.
It's not her fault of course, it's those other people.
Maybe they are concerned that she is purchasing 'friendship' with insincere gifts so that she may task them with who-knows-what. Not suggesting that she is, just that well, I've encountered such 'helpful' types. They totally twist and abuse the concept of 'love your neighbor as yourself.'
If she is doing good deeds for the sake of doing good deeds, not to manipulate people, then there's no need to be resentful. And it would matter not who is president.
Gifts should not have expectations attached. Otherwise they are not gifts, they are advanced payments for services/return favors that the receiver is unknowingly obligating himself and accepting remuneration.
</rant> :)
WOW - have had several experiences just like you. Drove one elderly widow to the dentist, doctor, hospital, store; took snacks - because I was retired and able. She did not drive and her daughter was working. She turned into a nasty old harridan over something.
In another less affluent neighborhood - I gave another woman rides as well when her husband was working. Same result - turned me into the neighborhood pariah.
Never offered to pay for gas - maybe they felt guilty. Who knows?
I also live in SoCal. 45 minutes east of LA. Been here 5 years. The ONLY good thing here is the weather. Politics, gas prices, crime (police helicopters EVERY weekend), Freeway drivers...SoCal society in general is scary imho.
I said ‘how ya doing’ to someone walking opposite me on the
sidewalk and he gave me a look like ‘wtf is your problem’.
I’m moving 2,000 miles east in 10 weeks. Cant wait! I’m already getting calls from job recruiters. Aerospace industry.
“Multiculturism is the death of America.”
Thank you Ted Kennedy! All part of the plan IMHO.
This works the other way, too...
My husband and I have lived in our home for 11 years together. I am 32, he is 37. The house sits on a private road that was all once owned by his grandparents. His great aunt still lives at the end of it. She may be one of the nastiest people on earth. The kind God doesn’t want and the devil already has.
We try to be polite. When we walk out daughter and dog we try to stop and say hi while she’s outside. Sometimes she’s polite back but often she ignores us.
Our other neighbor we have no relationship with outside of things that affect the neighborhood. And the one other guy and his wife are retirees and keep to themselves for the most part.
Everyone is older than us and no one really “welcomes” us.
These are all folks from a generation or two before us. Who knows why neighbors aren’t really neighborly.
If you’re that in need of attention and friends, maybe it’s better to find it elsewhere.
....and the love of many will wax cold because of lawlessness.
They are just using you for bread. :-)
We, here in Seattle have lived on our street for over 50 years. We feel exactly like this guy, except we are in our 80s. We are the oldest couple who have lived the longest on this street, yet we feel invisible. Part of the problem, I think, is the younger families don’t want to make contact with older people, they are too busy with their own lives.
Heck..I helped a kid back to his house who had a bad spill on his bike while I was walking home......the mother came out with her cell phone locked onto her ear as I explained what had happened.....I was stunned when I heard her say to her husband on the other end of that call..”Are you getting this?”......she had no concern of the blood dripping off his knees and arm....and I was pretty irritated that it was more important to her that her husband or boyfriend was listening to what I was sharing with her.
I had never met the woman before and I won’t be helping anyones kid again....
When we first moved into our neighborhood, we had regular block parties. That lasted for about a year. Then some of the neighbors moved out, and the others who moved in were less than enthusiastic about socializing.
I was thinking that he or she were not easy to get along with.....I live in southern California and have never had a problem with my neighbors keeping to themselves. but I don’t expect anything from my neighbors but a nice hello when I see them. I suggest getting involved with the community , joining a church and letting what ever friendships you form happen organically.
They aren’t taught manners anymore.
Reminds me of me growing up in the 60s we lived on a dead end street tons of fun it was not unusual to get a spanking from someone else mom or dad we had block parties and watched after each other Today it is so cold
No, this is a common experience all over the country. "Diversity" doesn't make us stronger; it makes people wary, especially when it is imposed by government that no longer respects freedom of association even about economic ability to buy and maintain a property. Our HOA rules that we pay large dollars for are completely ignored by the Section 8's that have been shoehorned into our midst by the helpful Democrats. They addi nothing but take away peaceful living and security.
I’m a recluse. I take after my mother. If there’s a need or a good reason to speak with my neighbors, I do so. Not into idle conversation. I don’t trust all of my neighbors. One of them a few months ago was pumping me for info about how who visits. I didn’t think much of it at the time, then I recalled last July, another neighbor’s house was broken into. The one broken into in outward appearance is the most solid family on the block. A few months ago, I called 911 because I was having rapid heartbeat. The neighbor who was inquisitive about who visits came up to the ambulance while I was in it, and asked me if I wanted him to keep an eye on my house while I was gone. Turned out I didn’t go to the ER but his action was suspicious in retrospect.
I also don’t answer the door when someone shows up uninvited. I don’t like when people I don’t know give me food. I won’t eat it. Never. People no longer give me food.
Harvard scientist Robert Putnam found that diversity hurts civic life, reduces social trust, pushes tribalism / grouping when the minorities are large enough to form their own enclaves.
LOL! That’s a terrible story! Neighbors can be awful.
The woman who wrote this is in her 70s and she’s somewhat lonely so I have tremendous sympathy. I own my mother’s house; she died a year and a half ago. Her next door neighbor who she was friendly with - an ex-nun, yet! - never once asked me what happened to her much less show up at her wake which was held two blocks from her house. And we were the very first people she notified when her husband died unexpectedly at home!
I don’t know; my life has sort of always been this way. It’s nice to be welcoming and all, but frankly, with all the obligations we already have, I don’t really want to feel it necessary to hobnob with all the neighbors all the time. We knew everyone basically, then as now, but only some people became real friends, or close.
Our current closest-physically neighbors have annoying little dogs, and I think sometime after we had our baby they realized we really hated the constant barking trying to have the baby nap or myself. Next thing you know they stop talking to us and seem angry.
When I was growing up, our nearest neighbors (kids my age) were our ENEMIES. The people behind them - our friends. Others - just acquaintances. The latter is the majority of any situation. Frankly I feel busy enough without someone’s “hood party” coming up and “needing” to go, often with people who obviously have unpleasant behaviors (cliqueishness, etc); but otherwise you might be totally ostracized!
OK, I better stop and get my son from school so we can have birthday crabs!
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