Needy neighbours

Neighbourism is having a moment. Did society need to make this an ‘ism’? No, but here we are.

People are turning away from online communities of disparate digital friends to reconnect with those in far closer proximity. Unfortunately, not all good neighbours become good friends.

As autumn creeps towards winter, neighbours are apparently confronting a “moral dilemma” over clearing up fallen leaves from trees outside their property. In a truly wild piece on realestate.com.au, the author uses the term “tree genocide”, considers illegally dumping 17kg of leaves over her garden fence, and claims she has been abandoned by God.  

In Banksia Park, South Australia, one resident has become so fed up with neighbours allowing their dogs to use his lawn as a bathroom that he has started leaving passive aggressive notes next to the mess. Unfortunately, these have consistently been ignored, leaving him with no choice but to…consider writing another note. 

Planning issues appear to be the most common form of neighbourly antagonism. 

In the UK, neighbours responded to a man who illegally built Britain's biggest man cave by pranking him with late-night phone calls. Quite why the pranksters didn’t just ask to use the facility - which featured a bowling alley, cinema, squash courts, soft play area, and an actual casino - is a mystery.

For all the goodwill around connection, community, and IRL support, it appears many still love to hate their neighbours. Perhaps we all just need to remember that with a little understanding, you can find the perfect blend.