MANNERS FOR NEIGHBOURS

Waipa Post, Volume 49, Issue 3555, 8 December 1934, Page 10

MANNERS FOR NEIGHBOURS

GOLDEN RULE FOR ALL OF US. Nearly !a,ll of us have people next door, hence it is highly important to our comfort that they should observe faithfully the strict code of neighbourly etiquette. Thus they must be devoid of impertinent curiosity, yet helpful in emergencies, be presentable in appearance, and not possessed of straying fowls, or barking dogs, or ruthless instruments of music, or rowdy motor cars, or any other attribute calculated to disturb the common peace. Just last night a rather weary woman, was startled out of her first slumber by a heartily uttered "Good-bye, old man," accompanied by the noisy skirling of a motor car, and followed by the resonant bang of a door. A guest was departing from her neighbour's house, and he and his host had forgottfen that midnight is an hour when many persons desire to sleep if they are allowed. THOUGHT FOR OTHERS. • Eqitally inconsiderate is tlhe mother who leaves her baby wailing a whole morning in the garden to the distress of everyone else, and almost criminal is the householder too idle to pull the dandelions and groundsel out of his flower patch until their seeds fly away on every wind tjhat blows to germinate in and disfigure the adjacent properties. '

In the smaller towns *ind suburbs neighbours often become friends from whom friendly offices may be demanded, though some discernment is required if one is not to be imposed upon. Thus Mis Brown, of Black Street, who is good nature itself, told the Gi'.eens, next door bull one, to use her phone when they wished, but has since repented her generosity, for they are constantly rushing in to take advantage of it at the most awkward moments and on the flimsiest of pretences. Then borrowing in a genuine case of need, as when the butter has not turned up on a Saturday night, is most convenient, but that unscrupulous borrower who never supplies herself, but regularly begs stamps or bread which she invariably fails to replace in, kind, is a complete nuisance. So is the tiresome, unemployed vagrant who has hours t\o spend in other people's houses and who apparently finds her own society as boring as everyone else does. "May I come in a'minute? Are you busy? " she iaisks, and you siglh. and submit to the infliction, not having the courage to utter the rude truth. GIVE AND TAKE. 'The sacred 'privacy of the home ought to be respected, hence a hasty too fervent intimacy with a new, gushing neighbour whom one is bound to meet every day may lead to satiety and sharp temper. Such Was the tragedy of the Blacks and Whites, who for months lived in each others' houses and exchanged daily confidences until they quarrelled through tiring each other out. Now they never speak, a rupture of affection Which might have been averted had they resided at a greater distance or been more discreet.

Among neig-hbours numerous opportunities occur for these small kindly acts which sweeten life. Mrs Scarlet went away foe a visit and her neighbour fed her cat. as later she took charge of the tatter's poultry during a week of holiday. A family went down with influenza, and the next-door folk ran their errands. More than once children have been amused in the garden over tlhe hedge while a harassed mother has rested, and interesting books and magazines can be handed round and plants and recipes exchanged. To be sympathetic, yet to mind one's own business, is to be a good neighbour, together with the practice of the golden rule of give and take.