An 'Emily Post' on Etiquette: Meeting New Neighbors

As a transplanted New Englander, perhaps my views on welcoming a new neighbor are colloquially skewed.  My mother always baked a coffee cake (Nana Bessie's secret recipe) to bring over to the new neighbors.  When we first moved to exurbia on a house set back from the road - different from my suburban upbringing, only one family came over to visit.   My husband and I were both commuting to Manhattan for work and did not yet have children. Not exactly a match for the neighborhood of young families.  It wasn't until our first child was born that the neighbors greeted us warmly and welcomed us to the neighborhood.   

Emily Post's Etiquette Guide cautions well-meaning people on meeting new neighbors,  to make a short visit and to respect the new family's busy schedule trying to get settled in. What held true over 100 years ago, holds true today. It goes on to say:  

When New Neighbors Move In
In today's highly mobile society, it's not so unusual for people to move into a neighborhood almost without being noticed.  Even so, being hospitable to newcomers is a time-honored American tradition.

Meeting New Neighbors
Calling on new neighbors is one of those rare instances when dropping by unannounced is good manners.  If you see your new neighbor in his yard, go over and say "hello" or knock on his door and introduce yourself.  You might be invited in, or not if they're not ready for "company," but either way keep the visit short.  The goal is simple: to welcome them and exchange names and perhaps telephone numbers.  If you become aware of newcomers weeks or even months after they move in, you can still knock on the door and introduce yourself, there's no statute of limitations.

Here in exurbia we live life behind gates and fences and on properties where sometimes you can't see the next house.  It is very easy to go about daily life and be caught up in our own activities.  Taking the time to extend greetings makes for a closer community and a better neighborhood.  It also feels good to do something nice for others. 

Off to bake some cookies for our new neighbors who just moved in across the street......

Figures, burned the first batch..... lol. 

Note:  My self-conscious self felt funny bringing over the cookies (like an anachronism), but the smile on my new neighbor's face made my discomfort melt away.  So glad I took the time to do it.

Images via and Slice of Exurbia