so, we have a new neighbor moving in shortly, do i ignore them, as usual, or, do i go around with some wine or something, say hello and try and look interested?

i have never been very good at this sort of stuff, i do not want to appear like i am prying or nosey, but don't want to be bossom buddies either, friendly hellos at the doorstep and the understanding that if they are noisy or untidy they will be moving on again, thats all i am after.

Same here. If i pass them in the hallway i'll say hello and introduce myself. That's about it.

I'd hate it if i moved in somewhere and the neighbours came round with a cake and some wine. If i didn't invite you, you're not welcome. Unless you have a hot wife and are inviting me to your weekly swinging party.

Maybe London made me unsociable.

We are on good terms with the people on either side of us.....we look after each others homes when on holiday etc..they have a key for our house etc

However, the people on either side of them, both 'cradle Canadians', are basically very cold...I've tried to say hello and had no reaction from them...I couldn't even tell you their 1st names and they've lived there 5+ years....

If I were you say hello when you see them and offer to be able to answer any questions about the neighbourhood if they have any questions...however, if they are your typical cradle Canadians don't be surprised if it is a one way street...just my experience.

see there you go, joking aside, different for everyone.

that sounds reasonable, and all i have ever had, i don't want to be exchanging keys and contacts. i'll look out for them when they are away, swap pleasantries on the drive if i pass them in the morning and thats it.
i am thinking going around is a bad idea, just trying to be friendly, but will probably be misinterpreted.

Rae, why don't you just chill a little! If you only want to say hello when you are on the drive, why don't you just do so?

What's there to get in a tiz about?

We live in a pretty friendly neighbourhood - about six of our neighbours all came round at different times during our first couple of weeks and they all brought something with them. Both of our next door neighbours gave us welcome cards with their telephone numbers on and said be sure to call if we had any problems or needed any local information. Our closest neighbour even cut our grass for the first month we were there

If you are worried about being misinterpreted then you could just do what one of our neighbours when they came round to say hi - something along the lines of "personally we don't live in our neighbours pockets but if you have a problem we'll always be pleased to help". They do keep themselves to themselves but at least they told us that up front

J

Start some general chit chat when you meet him/her in the street or out gardening, walking etc. If they have recently moved into the area from afar then you may have some useful local information for them.

Think back to when you moved - it can be a pretty isolating time. A warm welcome by neighbours is far better than being ignored IMHO

Heaven forbid, but you may even become friends

don't want to appear like a knob i suppose if the weeks pass and i don't see them and they think its a bit ignorant, know what i mean. just wondering over here what is culturally acceptable.

sounds reasonable, the last bit, i'm not cutting his grass.

sounds reasonable, the first bit, i have no mates that fine with me.

With the less than happy persona that you project through your postings you would probably be doing them a favor by staying away.

The cradle canadian thing is a load of beau lochs. I have never found that to be so. They are no different than commerinners. If anything they aren't as arrogant as many immegrants are.

Our street is full of Canadians and immigrants. They all do things their own way and nobody really bats an eyelid. I am sure that an initial hello from the drive (providing as much or as little info, offers of assistance etc.) and continuing as you feel appropriate will be fine.

They may be Brits

If thats the case burn the bassas out I say

Only after nicking all their Cadbury's choccies, Bisto gravy granules, tea bags [insert whatever foodstuff one pines for]