The Test of True Neighborliness

Just yesterday, I had a discussion with my friend where she spoke about this guy from back then when she was in college. She claimed this guy was so prideful he never spoke to his neighbors in the house he was renting. He was a student and the others in the house were natives of the community and this guy didn’t as much as greet his neighbors and that’s how he died in his room and was there for two weeks before anyone found out. And they only found out he was dead because there were so many houseflies around his door and his neighbors had to break the door so see what was going on. Same neighbors he supposedly saw to be lower than him and didn’t deserve his greeting.  Life works in mysterious ways and it’s always preached that we need people in our lives. Everyone of us has neighbors unless you’re staying in the desert. Whether you have your own house or you’re renting, you will have neighbors because everyone around you is your neighbor. As even God says love your neighbor as yourself. However, we are all different when it comes to relating with people. Growing up, I wasn’t one to mingle with some of my neighbors, especially when we moved into our own house. I didn’t mingle with them much because they were all grown ups and they like to gossip. But my mom did make sure to build a rapport with them and that covered up for her kids. But one thing I made sure to do was greet my neighbors anytime I saw them and help them when I can. I didn’t hate them, but I wasn’t close friends with them either. Fast forward, now I’m renting my own place in a compound house with so many others. I’m barely at home and so I don’t even know all of my neighbors. The ones I know, I make sure to greet them and sometimes have a chat with them. I wouldn’t say we are friends, but I’m nice enough on every occasion. I’ve been here with some of them for a few years now and I can trust them with my stuff. Sometimes I have to leave my keys to them just in case the house owner wanted to come and work on some stuff and they also do same. But recently, I happened to have some new neighbors in my house who have been a pain in my ass.  Our relationship started well until the man decided to play smart and try to cheat me. It’s basically a whole family renting the space and this man tried to rip me off on the electricity fee. Afterwards the landlord sorted the issue, but the man still was on my case, harassing the landlord that he was favouring me. I felt this man has it out for me and so I spoke to my parents about it and we all decided I stay away from them. Because someone with this kind of mindset can do anything to you. Now, I don’t speak to them, just nothing. But we are all in the same house.  Aside this family, I’m pretty cool with everyone else in the house and I can trust most if not all of them with anything of mine. Being neighbors doesn’t mean that you have to be mean to people and it also doesn’t mean you have to be all up in other’s business. Know who you’re dealing with and relate with them well. That’s just it. - - - all images belong to me. - - -