Won't you be my neighbor?

You talk to people at work all day. When you’re home, you prefer to keep to yourself. What’s the big deal, right? You’re not bothering anyone.

If it’s no big deal, what are you going to do about those 18 inches of freshly fallen snow? Sure would be nice to borrow Ted’s snow thrower—that is, if you knew him. Sorry about your back….

You don’t have to love your neighbors, just talk to them. Say hello, or simply smile and wave. The University of Iowa urges you to “be aware of the advantages and downright pleasantness of cultivating mutually respectful relationships with folks living near you.” Or, in plain English, be nice to your neighbors, and you’ll be surrounded by friends instead of strangers. What’s more, they may even do things for you.

Of course, you’ll be expected to do things back…