We are new to the neighborhood, neighbors said they’ll stop by to formally introduce themselves

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s possible they are swingers. Just roll with it should things go that way.

Hahaha. I love it.

[Anonymous]

Hoping these responses are joking.

Maybe your neighbors just want to say "hi" and be available if you need anything (listserv, handymen, info on garbage/lawn services). We've been lucky to have good neighbors. We aren't terribly close with any of them, but it's nice to know they are there if something would come up. It seems like a very nice gesture. I'm guessing they haven't stopped by because they haven't yet made you brownies/cookies to bring by.

- Transplanted Midwesterner who always brings food to new neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Our neighbors brought us cookies and other baked goods. You all seem miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Greet them on the porch op but don't feel the need or pressured to let them into your home to be nosey. Personally I wouldn't open the door because I really don't care to get to know them. Nothing good has come from knowing my neighbors in the past.

This probably says more about you. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

OMG - you all are so mean.
The OP asks what it meant. She didn't say she hated the idea.
OP, you can apologize for not having LR furniture and let them in or chat on the porch.
And who is really happy not to know their neighbors>?

[Anonymous]

Where I live it's important to know your neighbors because of fire season, if nothing else. I've cut downed trees for the neighbors when we had a windstorm and all the professionals were busy.

You don't need to hang out with them if you don't want to, but it's good to know who they are. You can have a beer on the porch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hoping these responses are joking.

Maybe your neighbors just want to say "hi" and be available if you need anything (listserv, handymen, info on garbage/lawn services). We've been lucky to have good neighbors. We aren't terribly close with any of them, but it's nice to know they are there if something would come up. It seems like a very nice gesture. I'm guessing they haven't stopped by because they haven't yet made you brownies/cookies to bring by.

- Transplanted Midwesterner who always brings food to new neighbors.

I hope so too! These responses are insane.

The neighbors sound nice. They want to meet you. That’s it. It’s nice having neighbors you can depend on, btw. You don’t have to be best friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does this mean? Coming from an apartment community no one ever stopped by or spoke.

Are they expecting to come inside (our living furniture is delayed so where would they even sit ?!) ?

Or is this a formality and they will never actually show up?

I may have used this exact phrase to new neighbors or even a new hire at work. It means they’d love to stop by, in person, just to chat. They’re being friendly. I’m sure they know you just moved in and can’t host anyone. I bet they want to bring brownies and talk to you for like 10 min, tops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you ready to live in a neighborhood if this is your attitude? Who cares what happened in your apartment building: apartments are completely different than forever-home communities. My neighbors have lived here since the edition was established 35 years ago. Of course they are more invested in connecting with neighborhoods than one-year-lease apartment renters.

All they meant was, “We’d like to introduce ourselves and get to know you” more than is possible in a passing moment where they are off to work or about to make dinner, and you are clearly busy unpacking and whatnot.

If you are so scared of someone being in your living room for 5 minutes, why do you have a home with a living room?

Not OP, but give me a break My living room is for me and my family, first and foremost!

Agree to assume the best, but I would also be put off by such a declaration that they intend to stop by uninvited and unannounced. It feels like a weird flex and would have be more appropriate for them to invite you to their home or out for a coffee.

My formal living room is for guests or neighbors or the Pope or President eco pop by unannounced. It is not for my family. That’s what the den is for.

I think I sat in my living last time a neighbor dropped by unannounced in 2018. My formal dining room only used 2-3 times a year that is also available. Those rooms are kept empty and neat at all times.

How sad. We eat breakfast in the kitchen but dinner in our dining room most nights. At least a couple of us wind up in the living room each day. And we manage to keep both rooms neat - imagine that!

[Anonymous]

When we moved in, the older lady across the street stopped by unannounced and brought us a cake. I thanked her, and we chatted on our doorstep for a few minutes. Was it rude that I didn't invite her in? IDK, but the house was a mess from just moving in with two little kids, so that's what I was comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

Meh, I've been in my neighborhood for 19 years. When we moved in we had a lovely bunch of neighbors who brought wine, a flower, or some cookies when we moved in. I followed the tradition until about 3 years ago when a new neighbor moved in, and I saw him in the driveway and said "Hello, I am so and so and we live across the street. Welcome to the neighborhood." He turned on his heel and walked into the house without a word. Now, I ignore any new people who move in and only wave to people who wave first.

[Anonymous]

I've said something like this to new neighbors that we've passed when I'm on my way to a scheduled event or coming back home and need to jump on a call or something to indicate that I'd like to have a more welcoming chat but that now is not a great time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meh, I've been in my neighborhood for 19 years. When we moved in we had a lovely bunch of neighbors who brought wine, a flower, or some cookies when we moved in. I followed the tradition until about 3 years ago when a new neighbor moved in, and I saw him in the driveway and said "Hello, I am so and so and we live across the street. Welcome to the neighborhood." He turned on his heel and walked into the house without a word. Now, I ignore any new people who move in and only wave to people who wave first.

So you're holding your entire neighborhood accountable for one glassbowl's reaction? Nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hoping these responses are joking.

Maybe your neighbors just want to say "hi" and be available if you need anything (listserv, handymen, info on garbage/lawn services). We've been lucky to have good neighbors. We aren't terribly close with any of them, but it's nice to know they are there if something would come up. It seems like a very nice gesture. I'm guessing they haven't stopped by because they haven't yet made you brownies/cookies to bring by.

- Transplanted Midwesterner who always brings food to new neighbors.

I hope so too! These responses are insane.

The neighbors sound nice. They want to meet you. That’s it. It’s nice having neighbors you can depend on, btw. You don’t have to be best friends.

This. I am so glad my neighborhood is not like this.

[Anonymous]

This is a thing I really like about living in a rowhouse neighborhood. Because we all leave our houses on foot and not just in our cars, there are lots of opportunities for low-pressure interaction that aren't as fraught as what OP is describing.

We've made good friends with a few neighbors, there are a bunch more we say hi to but don't have much other interaction, and maybe 1-2 we ignore. Nobody needs to come to anyone's doorstep or be invited in unless we decide we want to. And, of course, no HOA, so no weirdo power trips.

Not gonna lie though, some of y'all sound like awfully lonely miserable people. though.