Number Two: Share something (even if you have to buy too much). Try out one of these opening lines.
“ Hi, I just wondered if you could use this squash.”
“I have these beautiful plants that came up volunteer.”
“A guy came by selling oranges by the box.”
“These donuts were so much cheaper by the dozen! I bought extras to share.”
That requires no apology or explanation for being days, weeks, months, or years late.
Now none of those lines are very hard. So, what do you have (or can you get) to share?
You’re exactly right. Strawberries, tomatoes, muffins, peaches, and cookies all do well as ways to open the door — in every sense of the phrase. And always offer such things in containers that don’t have to be returned, so there’s no sense of pressure. If they want to reciprocate, or return the container, that’s a plus. But they shouldn’t be made to feel they ought to.
Worthy additional suggestions. You’re right about the container. If it looks too nice, they might feel in your debt – better a plastic butter container! At least in my neighborhood! Thanks.
I’ll tell you a little story about neighbors. When we moved into this neighborhood (we live in Utah), the neighbors turned up on our doorstep to do what the LDS church calls Friendshipping. The first thing they asked us was if we were LDS. When we said no, their reply was, “Well, we’d like to welcome you to the neighborhood anyway…” And that’s a perfect picture of what a LOT of the neighborhoods are like here. Fortunately for us, we live in a subdivision that had a lot of military families, so we weren’t totally out-numbered! 😦
Some great neighbors! They placed that activity high on their priorities. I’m sure you were warmed to be welcomed so grandly.
Neighbours for us here are so far away – many down long drives – one next door the drive way is nearly 2klm long. What you share sounds wonderful our coming together is usually well planned in advance. Love the blog. It sounds GREAT!