Conversation, Neighbors

I was in line in Rite Aid and then outside earlier tonight and engaged in conversation with someone else there. He was amazed. He told me how lonely he was, and lived in the neighborhood, but nobody ever talked with him. I told him about Location19, if he was on a computer, he could connect. He said he is not likely to use a computer. He said he has roomates in his house on Maxwell St., but they are not usually there. He rents to others. He even told me how he rents out to others, and on one occasion, slept in the basement to gather the money from others from rent. He rides a bike. He was a fine person, and wanted company. I felt so bad, because I did not invite him back to my house to have a beer. I feel I let this person down.

My suggestion is to form block clubs, meet all on your street, at least the neighbors who live next door to you on both sides and across the street. There is no reason we should let someone like this feel so alone. Even if not a block club, make an effort to know who lives next to you. You can make a difference.

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Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on May 30, 2013 at 10:58am

Good for you Mark for being open to a 'simple' conversation!! There is a lot of loneliness in the world, even in areas of densely populated people! Getting to know your neighbors is one easy/free and not very time consuming way to begin combatting this. It also helps with things like crime, dealing with problems, enhancing the attractiveness of our streets, etc.

Marlborough Road had our Spring 2013 block club meeting last night and many people participated including some 'new' neighbors who had not met many people. When I delivered flyers to every home on the street announcing the meeting every single person i encountered was kind and interested. Some couldn't come to a 'meeting' but the simple gesture of inviting everyone goes a long way to people feeling included.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on May 30, 2013 at 11:41pm

Margy, thanks for your thoughtfull reply. I also heard personally from someone who said you should not trust someone who may be a needy person searching for " " you name it. It is possible that this may be true in some cases, but I really felt this man was not in that circumstance. He was just lonely, and glad that someone talked with him. Of course, always be aware of situations where people are scamming and playing some game. I am a good judge of character, I think, and that was not the case. But always be careful.

However, there is nothing wrong with talking with a "stranger," and reaching out to them. I would always err on the side of being a caring person, listening, and trying to help. In this case, it was just listening, and talking, which made a big difference. If we could just talk with one another more often .... Reach out. Don't be afraid.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on June 7, 2013 at 10:18pm

OK, so hopefully this rain is ending. Just a rhetorical question. Can we all make an effort to talk to our next door neighbor on the weekend? A thought.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on June 14, 2013 at 1:15am

One neighbor made a big step up and donated the money for a permit for a block party this summer! How many other streets can all join and make an effort --- and it is a big one, for planning, etc., --- to continue to make the neighborhood a great place to live! Ours will be in mid-August.