How to be nice to new neighbours

Someone in our close always has a house up for sale. There’s a slow but continual change in neighbours. We were one of those newcomers in 2001.

But as each family moves in, I’m finding it harder to make the effort at greeting them. The newest family are going to find it difficult to get on my good side. Ever.

Why? Because the first thing they did was kill the most beautiful tree in the road. My favourite tree. A stunning silver birch.

I had a view of it from my kitchen window. Now all I can see is a bare space like an emptiness where once there was a landmark and a full view of their house front. Thanks.

I fail to understand it. The area is known for its ‘leafy’ setting. Many of the neighbours (including us) have an increasingly mature tree close to our property.

I can put my hand up and admit that their anti-tree behaviour influencing my friendliness. I know it’s not a foundation in which to base a relationship with a neighbour. It’s not fair, nice or right.

But I find it’s colouring my view on them.

And maybe it’s better I keep my distance. To avoid conversations like this.

Them: Hi, you live across from us don’t you?

Me: Yes, in that house there, where we once had a view of a beautiful silver birch. What the hell have you done to it?

Or: Them: Hi, we’re Mr. and Mrs. X.

Me: Ah yes, annihilators of nature Or: Them: Hi, how are you?

Me: Not so good since you murdered the loveliest thing in the neighbourhood. Do you squash ants and torture butterflies too? Is that the kind of people you are? Put bees in jars and drown puppies… Well I think that gives a taste of my difficulty. I know people who don’t even consider cutting a tree down an issue. They’ll all get along swimmingly. It would be lovely if I weren’t’ so troubled by all this.

I know the facts. It was their tree. On their property. But we’re not always that logical are we?

Tell you what. When I next see them, I’ll say hello. I’ll ask them how they like the area, whether they’ve settled in OK, how they like the rowdy dawn chorus.

“Or maybe you can’t hear any birds because you’ve felled the home of over a dozen birds in a moment of callous, almost gleeful cruelty. Eh?!”

Better keep my mouth shut.

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