Meeting the New Neighbors

Meeting the Neighbors



Congratulations! You're finally settled into your new place. The boxes are gone, the fridge is full, the tunes are thumping and the place is looking snazzy. And the thought of spending one more night with Will > Grace as your only company is driving you mad. Before you down that whole pint of Chunky Monkey, be aware that meeting people isn't as hard as you think. In fact, the nice thing about apartment living is that there are people all around you (also known as 'neighbors') that can be potential socializing partners. The key is getting to know them. And we here at ApartmentGuide.com want to share our patented secrets for meeting people. Technique One: Walking up and saying 'Hi' While this sounds deceptively simple, there really is an art to this technique - like, what do you say after 'Hi'? A good follow-up is crucial to keeping the conversation going and preventing your newly-met friend from thinking you?re a weirdo. A good follow-up to the introduction is to stick to topics you both have in common: living in the area, neighborhood hotspots, activities in town, etc. Be sure to keep the conversation brief, but friendly. And watch for signs your neighbor is finished talking. And don?t start asking personal questions - nothing says 'creepy stalker' faster than a complete stranger asking invasive questions. A nice, brief conversation like "What's the best grocery store around here?" will be a great start. This first impression is key, so make sure to exit the conversation with your neighbor thinking you?re a nice, relaxed, easy-going person that they'll look forward to seeing again. And before you know it, the two of you could be tooling around town trying to find an even better grocery store. Technique Two: Inventing a reason to talk Also known as the 'Need to borrow an egg' technique. Some might view this as a 'desperate'technique. We prefer to call it 'strategic conversation creation.' Just go up to your neighbor's door (at a decent hour and preferably fully dressed) and ask to borrow an egg or some other 'key' ingredient you don't have, or some tool required to finish assembling your new book shelf. Whatever the reason, use the opportunity to start chatting with your neighbor. And if you do borrow something, please return it. It really helps move the friendship along if you don?t take stuff from people. Technique Three: Throw a party Nothing generates more friends quickly than free food and beverages (giving them cash directly is probably a faster way but may be illegal in certain states. Please check with your local law enforcement representative). A great way to get to know your neighbors is to host your own little soiree. Place a flyer by the mailboxes or community bulletin board and wait for the guests to arrive! Be sure you have more than enough food, some non-alcoholic beverage options and have some party activities ready to go to keep the entertainment level high. Technique Four: Join a Group People are social animals and, as a result, tend to form groups around common interests, goals or topics. Take a look at your local alternative weekly or newspaper to see what groups may be available. Community service groups abound and are a great way to meet people while doing some good. Joining a church or synagogue is also a good way to meet nice people with all sorts of interests. You can also join a book club, mountain biking group, writing workshop or other club. Check the local papers or library or local web sites to find clubs with your interests. Technique Five: Loiter This is the 'Coffee Shop' method: bring a book or a laptop, plant yourself in a comfy couch or chair and spend a couple hours a week relaxing with other patrons. Pretty soon, you'll start recognizing the regulars and you'll build your way up to the 'I know you' nod and smile, and will eventually strike up some small talk. Before you know it, you'll be old friends. Meeting people can be an easy process with just a little courage and persistence. Keep at it and your Palm Pilot calendar will soon be filled with social engagements.

Congratulations! You're finally settled into your new place. The boxes are gone, the fridge is full, the tunes are thumping and the place is looking snazzy. And the thought of spending one more night with Will > Grace as your only company is driving you mad.

Before you down that whole pint of Chunky Monkey, be aware that meeting people isn't as hard as you think. In fact, the nice thing about apartment living is that there are people all around you (also known as 'neighbors') that can be potential socializing partners. The key is getting to know them. And we here at ApartmentGuide.com want to share our patented secrets for meeting people.

Technique One: Walking up and saying 'Hi'
While this sounds deceptively simple, there really is an art to this technique - like, what do you say after 'Hi'? A good follow-up is crucial to keeping the conversation going and preventing your newly-met friend from thinking you?re a weirdo. A good follow-up to the introduction is to stick to topics you both have in common: living in the area, neighborhood hotspots, activities in town, etc.

Be sure to keep the conversation brief, but friendly. And watch for signs your neighbor is finished talking. And don?t start asking personal questions - nothing says 'creepy stalker' faster than a complete stranger asking invasive questions. A nice, brief conversation like "What's the best grocery store around here?" will be a great start.

This first impression is key, so make sure to exit the conversation with your neighbor thinking you?re a nice, relaxed, easy-going person that they'll look forward to seeing again. And before you know it, the two of you could be tooling around town trying to find an even better grocery store.

Technique Two: Inventing a reason to talk
Also known as the 'Need to borrow an egg' technique. Some might view this as a 'desperate'technique. We prefer to call it 'strategic conversation creation.' Just go up to your neighbor's door (at a decent hour and preferably fully dressed) and ask to borrow an egg or some other 'key' ingredient you don't have, or some tool required to finish assembling your new book shelf. Whatever the reason, use the opportunity to start chatting with your neighbor. And if you do borrow something, please return it. It really helps move the friendship along if you don?t take stuff from people.

Technique Three: Throw a party
Nothing generates more friends quickly than free food and beverages (giving them cash directly is probably a faster way but may be illegal in certain states. Please check with your local law enforcement representative). A great way to get to know your neighbors is to host your own little soiree.

Place a flyer by the mailboxes or community bulletin board and wait for the guests to arrive! Be sure you have more than enough food, some non-alcoholic beverage options and have some party activities ready to go to keep the entertainment level high.

Technique Four: Join a Group
People are social animals and, as a result, tend to form groups around common interests, goals or topics. Take a look at your local alternative weekly or newspaper to see what groups may be available. Community service groups abound and are a great way to meet people while doing some good. Joining a church or synagogue is also a good way to meet nice people with all sorts of interests. You can also join a book club, mountain biking group, writing workshop or other club. Check the local papers or library or local web sites to find clubs with your interests.

Technique Five: Loiter
This is the 'Coffee Shop' method: bring a book or a laptop, plant yourself in a comfy couch or chair and spend a couple hours a week relaxing with other patrons. Pretty soon, you'll start recognizing the regulars and you'll build your way up to the 'I know you' nod and smile, and will eventually strike up some small talk. Before you know it, you'll be old friends.

Meeting people can be an easy process with just a little courage and persistence. Keep at it and your Palm Pilot calendar will soon be filled with social engagements.