14 Feb 5 Practical Ways to Meet Your Neighbors on a Snow Day
The Upstate of South Carolina recently survived our 2nd snow storm of the year – quite a feat for those of us who don’t always see snow each year. The 2nd time around we were all ready – bread, milk, and kayaks for sledding!
Admittedly, I was a bit of a party-pooper when the snow first came. I wasn’t thrilled about layering up and enduring the cold, but once I saw my roommates racing down the hill outside our house in a kayak I had to join in. Which leads to my first thought…
1. Have Fun – fun leads to more fun (and relationships)
As soon as I saw how much fun my roommates were having, I couldn’t resist going outside to join them. Snow days allow us all some freedom to let loose, be a little crazy, and have fun – who doesn’t want to be a part of that?!?! Soon after, we were building a snowman in our front yard and 3 kids on our street came over to join. One girl had been sitting in her driveway playing by herself until we asked if she wanted to come over. Do you want to build a snowmaaaan? We were no longer the unknown girls down the street, but the neighbors building a snowman. After building the snowman we had a fierce capture the flag/snow ball fight. (My team won, for the record) Fun leads to more fun.
2. Be willing to lend a hand
As 4 single, southern women we did not have any snow tools, like shovels, to take care of our driveway. We saw our neighbor shoveling his driveway and asked to borrow his shovels leading to at least 2 conversations to borrow and return tools. While we were shoveling our driveway a car got stuck going up the hill in front of our house – we got to meet 3 more neighbors while we all tried to free the car! Sure, my feet were frozen by the end – perhaps shoveling snow in rain boots and no socks was a poor choice, but hey! at least I still have all my toes…
3. Go Outside
Yes, it is cold and yes, there will be lots of loads of laundry in the dryer, but a great way to meet people in your neighborhood is to walk around. Most people go a little stir crazy after 2 days inside and when it’s not icy, people will opt for walking around the neighborhood, even if they don’t normally do so. This week, I found out one of my friends from college who graduated a year before me was living around the corner from me and I never knew until we saw her in the front yard!
4. Cook warm food
What’s better than 2 days off of work/school to play in the snow?
Hot chocolate and soup.
After a day of fun together where you all lose feeling in your fingers and toes, why not warm up with some hot chocolate or soup? Even if you’re playing with kids and they may not be able to come inside, a mug of hot chocolate to go is a great way to say thanks and create a favorable impression.
5. Make plans for later
You’ve just had a great day, but every one is tired and heading home. Be sure to make future plans to hang out – be it dinner, coffee, or a time to return tools. Take advantage of your time together to continue the relationship. You’re no longer the unknown neighbor – you’re the guy (or girl) who helped shovel snow in rain boots. Don’t just be snow-day neighbors, but find ways to meet throughout the year.
You’ve heard my ideas to meet your neighbor, what are your ideas?