[Hodar]

After talking to him I realised that what I mistook for unwillingness to engage (and even rude behavior) was actually my neighbours' way of respecting my privacy.

I grew up in a Norwegion area - the author is spot-on. Even when visiting lifelong neighbors or friends, the intent was that if no one answered the door on the second knock; you quietly left. The assumption was that your friend was either sleeping, entertaining someone, or wanted to be left alone.

So, if you were not doing anything - feel free to stop by; but don't expect automatically that just because your friend is home, that he wants to be bothered. Now, if you had previously made plans - that is another matter.

[x_plus_one]

That sounds so midwestern, specifically Nebraskan, Iowan, South and North Dakotan and Minnesotan. Wonder why.

[WesternCulture]

“I grew up in a Norwegion area - the author is spot-on. Even when visiting lifelong neighbors or friends, the intent was that if no one answered the door on the second knock; you quietly left. The assumption was that your friend was either sleeping, entertaining someone, or wanted to be left alone”

- This is how we Scandinavians behave.

A citizen of India I once did some business with once told me this was something he liked about Sweden; people respected each other’s space.