Bananas on Sale
A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting my sister and her family in Perth, Australia. After I had recovered from the effects of the long trip and settled into their time zone, I started noticing some interesting characteristics within her neighbourhood: neighbours stopping by with fruits and vegetables from their gardens to meet and welcome me.
The kindness they showed wasn’t a one-off encounter. When my sister was invited to events, her neighbours made a point of asking her to bring me along. Even neighbours in their 80’s had us over for tea and treats, which was most enjoyable because I got to know them on a deeper level.
My visit lasted for two months, and during that time, there was no shortage of someone popping in with something to share from their harvest.
That experience helped me understand why my sister’s family enjoyed their neighbourhood as much as they did. After a few conversations with her, it was clear that it was a contribution from everyone that created a loving and welcoming environment.
When they first moved into the neighbourhood, one of the couples visited them with a gift basket and a list of neighbours' telephone numbers to have on hand. They were given pointers of the best places to shop, doctor’s offices, the best restaurants, library, walking trails and more. They were also made aware of the different programs that the city offered.
This neighbourhood functioned in an orderly and peaceful manner.
From my observations and discussions, this was my take on what made this particular neighbourhood enjoyable:
After a certain time in the evening, there was no noise to be heard outside, which made so much sense because some of the neighbours were in their 80’s and 90’s. Everyone was considerate of them and those with babies or health conditions.
There seemed to be an unwritten rule of maintaining a certain curb appeal. I don’t recall seeing any toys or bicycles strewn all over the yards.
Pleasantries were exchanged whenever the neighbours saw each other.
A few times a year, they enjoyed block parties with everyone bringing some food or drink to share with others, giving them more opportunities to connect in a relaxed environment.
Parents with school-age children took turns driving neighbourhood kids to school and sports practices.
When someone was out grocery shopping and found a good deal on any item, they informed their neighbours "bananas on sale."
Making an effort to be good neighbours without a formal set of bylaws or Home Owners Association (HOA) rules gave everyone a sense of genuine belonging and well-being. There was the knowledge that everyone looked out for each other because they were living amongst friends and not just neighbours.
