what should I have/what could I still...
Mon, 2008-07-28 06:46
#1
rural - Francesca
what should I have/what could I still...
Mon, 2008-07-28 06:46
#2
rural - Francesca
do...
The townhouse next to mine is being used for short term rentals. We're not terribly impressed as the rest of us are shovelling the snow and now mowing the lawn.
The gentleman in there now is taking commercial flying courses at our college and airport. I got talking to him when he and his visiting family, were trying to talk to one of my cats.
I went out and facilitated the introduction.
He is East Indian in appearance and accent and has a wonderful sense of humour.
Saturday night (or in reality Sunday morning) He spent from 1 am until 3 on the phone outside on the porch. My window is just above his porch, and in the stillness of the night, his voice carries.
No I can't be accused of evesdropping as he is speaking what I can only assume is Hindi.
Annoying but not a big deal, my problem is I find it hard to ignore as my brain is listening and trying to make sense of it all.
Now at about 2:30 a bunch walked up the street, from the bars closing I'm assuming, and one guy hollers at him "what country are you from?"
The guy answers "This country, Canada - what country are you from?" (which I thought what a great come back!).
They exchange a few more silly words along that vein and the conversation ends.
I was rather disgusted.
Now I don't know if I should let him know I heard this and thought he was very clever.
Mon, 2008-07-28 07:03
#3
TemporalHominid
let him know you welcome him to the neighbourhood
let him know if he ever needs anything or has any questions about services or amenities to feel free to ask
Mon, 2008-07-28 07:08
#4
rural - Francesca
I've done that. Anytime I see him I make a point of chatting and asking about the course etc.
When his family was here I introduced myself and named the kids so if they saw them coming and going they could speak to them.
I told my kids to make sure they said hello - my kids tend to ignore anyone that doesn't offer food - because one neighbour had been stupid when she asked about him.
Mon, 2008-07-28 11:13
#5
Lawrence Hill in [i]Black Berry Sweet Juice: On Being Black And White In Canada[/i] has an interesting and informative discussion on this question "Where are you from" and its variants.
I'm not really clear on the purpose of this thread. Be neighbourly with your neighbours. Make a point of doing so, and encourage your children to do so, if that is what you do with your neighbours.
Mon, 2008-07-28 14:48
#6
I think you should tell him he had a great comeback. It might indirectly let him know that his voice carries outside in your neighbourhood.
[ 28 July 2008: Message edited by: Will S ]
Mon, 2008-07-28 18:57
#7
rural - Francesca
quote:
Originally posted by Will S:
[b]I think you should tell him he had a great comeback. It might indirectly let him know that his voice carries outside in your neighbourhood.[ 28 July 2008: Message edited by: Will S ][/b]
That's a good point!
Mon, 2008-07-28 19:20
#8
RevolutionPlease
I, personally, wouldn't make a point of it unless they did.
I'd do my best to make them comfortable but would allow them to lead the conversation and follow that.