63 replies to this topic

[SnowMan]

A gift card feels too impersonal.  I'd go with inviting them over.  If they don't want to hang... it's on them. 

[davelew]

I like George's idea, but instead of calling them Andy and Robin, you need to start a hot spot thread and use everyone's initials in a 9000 word post. Then we have a contest to see who does the best job keeping everyone straight.

 

That contest wouldn't be fair to Gumbo.  He had trouble even keeping his wife straight.

[BlKtRe]

 

 

Or you could burn horse feces in your yard and really set the tone for your relationships

 

 

Country Law! 

[Big Nake]

A gift card feels too impersonal.  I'd go with inviting them over.  If they don't want to hang... it's on them. 

I hear it but I mentioned earlier that these people seem impersonal by default.  When they leave or come home and see me in the garage it would be an opportunity to at least wave.  If I'm outside at the same time as a neighbor and I see them, I never miss an opportunity to talk with them.  I can't say the same about these guys.  But I do feel like there is an opportunity to shake this place up so maybe I could extend an invite to them, have some appetizers, draft beer (I have wine, cider and everything for just about any mixed drink too) and have them over.  The funny part is that I'm not even sure how tight those two neighbors (either side of me) are with each other.  It might be a good way for everyone to get together.  We'll see.  I like it but I also see it bombing epically.  Doing something outside when it's warmer might be the better way to do that... less formal, easy to just walk away at some point, etc.  I'll noodle with it.  

[Brian72]

That contest wouldn't be fair to Gumbo.  He had trouble even keeping his wife straight.

 

Ouch.... 

[TonyBrown]

if you don't want to do a social event/cocktail party a real gift basket with a bottle of wine (or bourbon or some of your beers) and some other little goodies like maybe a small tin of garrett's popcorn, maybe some ghirardelli's chocolates and etc so it's not the thoughtless gift card but it doesn't put on a pressure to socially interact on them.  hand it to them directly and tell them thanks for being patient while you were renovating.  no need to go huge, but I think the thoughtfulness of assembling something yourself might be more appreciated vs a gift card.

[dondewey]

Any token gift sends the right message: you want to be a good neighbor. Gift card is fine. Food is fine. Invite is fine.

[Big Nake]

Again with the booze.  Not sure they partake.  Then there is the food.  Food allergies, dietary restrictions, etc.  We live in sensitive times.  Gift cards were invented for these very reasons.  So someone could give a gift without having to worry about whether it might just get thrown out or regifted for some reason.  I understand that it's much more personal to hand-pick something and I could still do that but food and drink has its obstacles.  

 

 

Any token gift sends the right message: you want to be a good neighbor. Gift card is fine. Food is fine. Invite is fine.

This is my thinking.  It's a gesture and a signal that I appreciate their patience.  

[Vagus]

Take pictures of them coming and going. Arrange on a nice, big poster board. Give it to them. 

[TonyBrown]

Again with the booze.  Not sure they partake.  Then there is the food.  Food allergies, dietary restrictions, etc.  We live in sensitive times.  Gift cards were invented for these very reasons.  So someone could give a gift without having to worry about whether it might just get thrown out or regifted for some reason.  I understand that it's much more personal to hand-pick something and I could still do that but food and drink has its obstacles.  

doesn't matter what they do with it, for you it's the gesture, anything beyond that is on them, if they dont like it they wont tell you anyway and if they regift, so what??  i think you're making to big a deal of this.  

[BrewerGeorge]

Again with the booze.  Not sure they partake.  Then there is the food.  Food allergies, dietary restrictions, etc.  We live in sensitive times.  Gift cards were invented for these very reasons.  So someone could give a gift without having to worry about whether it might just get thrown out or regifted for some reason.  I understand that it's much more personal to hand-pick something and I could still do that but food and drink has its obstacles.  

 

...

No way, Man.  That's what they want you to think.  They're a scam.  How unimpressed are you when work somebody you a $20 gift card for whatever reason?  How annoying is it to have to carry another card around until you deplete it?  How annoying is it to tell a cashier, "I want to charge just $20 on this card first." to use it up?  Christ, you might as well just hand them cash; at least then it's sure to get used and not waste away in the bottom of a drawer somewhere.

 

If you don't want the party, make a basket.  You're not responsible for their food allergies and dietary restrictions - unless they're obviously a religion that makes such restrictions glaringly obvious.  Skip the booze if you want, but including it gives an indication of who you are and gives them clues about whether they want to hang out with you for real.  You're a guy who drinks and this lets them know that.  If they don't drink they can ditch it or hang on to it for guests, that doesn't matter.   Whatever they do with anything you might give them is totally on them.  You've made your gesture and whether they acknowledge it or not honestly has very little to do with what's inside the basket.

[Big Nake]

No way, Man.  That's what they want you to think.  They're a scam.  How unimpressed are you when work somebody you a $20 gift card for whatever reason?  How annoying is it to have to carry another card around until you deplete it?  How annoying is it to tell a cashier, "I want to charge just $20 on this card first." to use it up?  Christ, you might as well just hand them cash; at least then it's sure to get used and not waste away in the bottom of a drawer somewhere.

 

If you don't want the party, make a basket.  You're not responsible for their food allergies and dietary restrictions - unless they're obviously a religion that makes such restrictions glaringly obvious.  Skip the booze if you want, but including it gives an indication of who you are and gives them clues about whether they want to hang out with you for real.  You're a guy who drinks and this lets them know that.  If they don't drink they can ditch it or hang on to it for guests, that doesn't matter.   Whatever they do with anything you might give them is totally on them.  You've made your gesture and whether they acknowledge it or not honestly has very little to do with what's inside the basket.

I got a $100 prepaid Amex card in a gift bag at the company christmas party in Dallas.  I entered the info into Amazon and then bought something like $99.74 worth of stuff using that payment method and it was sweet.  I never carried it around or split purchases with it.  Maybe I'm in the minority.   The rest of it... I agree with.  A gesture.  I'll come up with something.  

Edited by Big Nake , 24 January 2023 - 12:23 PM.

[SnowMan]

I hear it but I mentioned earlier that these people seem impersonal by default.  When they leave or come home and see me in the garage it would be an opportunity to at least wave.  If I'm outside at the same time as a neighbor and I see them, I never miss an opportunity to talk with them.  I can't say the same about these guys.  But I do feel like there is an opportunity to shake this place up so maybe I could extend an invite to them, have some appetizers, draft beer (I have wine, cider and everything for just about any mixed drink too) and have them over.  The funny part is that I'm not even sure how tight those two neighbors (either side of me) are with each other.  It might be a good way for everyone to get together.  We'll see.  I like it but I also see it bombing epically.  Doing something outside when it's warmer might be the better way to do that... less formal, easy to just walk away at some point, etc.  I'll noodle with it.  

 

 

 

To be fair... maybe they won't show. Lol. 

 

Shortly after SWMBO and I were married, we lived kind of in the middle of a series of 1 acre lots.  IIRC we had at least 5 direct neighbors and the way things were setup could see into a couple more yards.  SWMBO decided to have a "get to know the neighbors party since we were new to the neighborhood. I think she invited maybe 10 houses total...

 

One neighbor came.  Of course it was the one we were already acquainted with. 

 

Sop maybe you're onto something. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She's jonesing to do this again at our new house. FML

[Vagus]

I got a $100 prepaid Amex card in a gift bag at the company christmas party in Dallas. I entered the info into Amazon and then bought something like $99.74 worth of stuff using that payment method and it was sweet. I never carried it around or split purchases with it. Maybe I'm in the minority. The rest of it... I agree with. A gesture. I'll come up with something.

My inlaws give me gift cards. /thread

[TonyBrown]

My inlaws give me gift cards. /thread

to The Flesh Palace??

[Big Nake]

To be fair... maybe they won't show. Lol. 

 

Shortly after SWMBO and I were married, we lived kind of in the middle of a series of 1 acre lots.  IIRC we had at least 5 direct neighbors and the way things were setup could see into a couple more yards.  SWMBO decided to have a "get to know the neighbors party since we were new to the neighborhood. I think she invited maybe 10 houses total...

 

One neighbor came.  Of course it was the one we were already acquainted with. 

 

Sop maybe you're onto something. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She's jonesing to do this again at our new house. FML

Yeah, I could see that exact thing happening.  Look, these people appear to be good, solid people.  I have talked with them.  They're pleasant and have helped me, told me various important things about the complex, etc.  One was a homebrewer and asked me about the fridges in my garage and so I showed him my "pub" with the draft faucets, etc. and he was really down with it.  Another guy grabbed Amazon boxes from my porch when I was traveling and brought them over when I got backl and I have talked and joked with him many times.  On one hand I feel like it's good to at least KNOW your neighbors.  OTOH, maybe they don't feel the same way and want me to leave them TF alone. 

Edited by Big Nake , 24 January 2023 - 12:35 PM.

[TonyBrown]

as long as you're not throwing ragers on a tuesday night I doubt they will have much of a problem with you if you just kept to yourself.

 

however.....  I agree that at least being friendly with your neighbors can have some benefits.  we've been very fortunate that every neighbor we've had (including my college days) have been great.  decent folks that looked out for each other and their kids (later on when we had kids of course).  I still keep in touch with my neighbors from the two different houses we had in IL since we've been married, they like to hear about how our kids are doing and etc, same goes for our new neighbors down here.  

 

we've been lucky, but I've got a friend that has had a string of terrible neighbors (tho I suspect my friend is really the problem to be honest), he's the only common thread after like 4-5 different houses, the exact same problems follow him around (of course he's perfectly innocent, right?)

[BlKtRe]

As a neighbor, just ask or say sorry for the inconvenience. Don't buy me anything PLEASE! I don't want to feel like I need to reciprocate if I'm up to no good. A friendly neighborhood get together would be ok but I'm betting by now you have a feel for your neighbors if they would come or not. If you question it, move on and don't do anything. There will be times your neighbors will be making lots of noise to sometime. Call it what it is.

 

Another reason not to move to town. Fecking neighbors are to close. 

[TonyBrown]

 

Another reason not to move to town. Fecking neighbors are to close. 

this cannot be stated aggressively enough.

[Vagus]

I want to move so far away that when people visit me they're too old to make the journey home.