Anonymous wrote:OP, you were nice and all but give the neighbors a break. You probably caught them off guard. They did not expect it and you may have caught them at a busy time, such as still unpacking and getting things situated. I have never had anyone bring me baked goods before. I would be very thankful but in all honesty, throw it in the trash. I have no idea how clean your house is, what is in them, and if you are a clean person. Also, I am a very private person. I do not like to chit chat with my neighbors. A friendly "hi" when we pass is good enough for me. You do not need to know what I do, who I am with, nor do you need to gossip with me about other neighbors. I am not saying this is you, but just understand, that everyone is not as friendly as you.

Potomac resident?

I'm guessing you caught them offguard and they didn't know what to do. We had neighbors come over and say hi when we moved in, but none of them came to our door, instead they waited until they saw us outside and then walked over to introduce themselves. I think had one come over, rang our bell, and been holding food, I would have had a moment of "crap...am I suppose to invite them in...but I don't know where the plates are....and I smell like sweat....and I was in the middle of unpacking a box." thought. So I could see why they froze. Maybe they were waiting to see if you handed them the food or were looking for an invite (but still weird that they didn't either try to take the food and say thanks, love to chat but we are busy....or something like that).

That being said, I hope they at least said thank you after their son took the food.

I can't think of a time I moved into a home that I didn't receive at least one baked item from my new neighbors, usually within a week of moving in. I'd say it was a Texas mid-western thing, but it happened when we moved to NoVA too. Met some of my good friends that way, and got the names of all the surrounding neighbors so I could write them down while I was still learning who everyone was, to say hello.

Most recently, I moved into a TH and got several friendly hellos and welcome to the neighborhoods. One neighbor went out of her way to deliver a large basket from Bath and Body Works that had to have cost her more than $50 with a card and her phone number in case I needed anything. And she was not born in this country, but likely one of those another PP mentioned likely does a far better job of welcoming newcomers.

I will bake cookies for new neighbors and walk down with my kids to say hi (and give my kids a chance to hope for an answered prayer that they have similarly-aged kids). It's a human touch and frankly, I think it reinforces their hope that they bought in a great neighborhood.

Anonymous wrote:Are they foreign? Regardless, you did a very nice thing and shouldn't feel bad in the least. They have a lot to learn about being gracious.

"Foreign" person here. We do a much better job of welcoming new neighbors in my country, so it might not be that.

We had a few neighbors bring over baked goods and I thought it was great! I probably wouldn't think of doing t for others, but I should!

I think it is pretty traditional to welcome new neighbors with baked goods or a bottle of wine or something. We've owned two houses in NoVa and both times were welcomed by neighbors bearing gifts. One neighbor even made a little map of our end of the street and wrote the names of the people who lived in each house, which was so helpful because I can't remember names to save my life.

Apparently they are lacking in social graces, as are many people on this thread, but maybe they learned something from you.

Or not. Either way, you did the right thing.

I don't think it's weird at all. I think it's nice.

I'd love that! It's something I would have done as a teen when I had more free time. Your new neighbors are a little weird.

We brought our newest neighbors a bottle of wine.

now you know your neighbors aren't worth knowing, OP. You were very kind and welcoming, and no matter how tired they were, their response was very strange. Unless they follow up with an apology, just know that you're not going to be on friendly terms with them. it's unfortunate.

I'm genuinely curious about the "won't eat food from stranger's" crowd. There was a similar thread on baking sale with the same statement. Does that mean you never take part in potluck events at work, school, neighboorhood, or you never eat in street festival type things, taste of (...), never takes samples for grocery stores or eat in "new" restaurants? Because hmmm, all that qualifies as food from "strangers".

I've always done this - have done it in my current house for half a dozen neighbors so far. My mom does it, I'm pretty sure my grandmother did it, and I've trained my kids to do it. There are centuries of tradition behind it in a bunch of cultures, e.g. Russians greeting with bread and salt.

As for those of you who wouldn't eat a stranger's food - these are the people who are going to call the fire truck when you need it. You don't want to think of them as strangers.

Sure we as a society can do better that this. Start baking, or at least accept gifts with grace.