Friends and Neighbors

 

Dear Micah,
               I have these neighbors who always have a yearly 4th of July party and I am never invited. Other people that live in the neighborhood get invited, but I never do. It's embarrassing to be at the mailbox and be told by another neighbor, "See you at the barbeque", when you know you aren't going to get to go. I am always very nice to these neighbors. I wave every time I see them and I have even raked up their leaves before when I have been doing my own. I have even invited them to my Christmas open house before. I have tried really hard to be friends with them and I do want to go to their party. Should I just ask them if I can come to the barbeque or should I just let it go?
Dave
Dear Dave,
               Aren't you just the neediest little thing? I have an idea! Why don't you break into their house and hide all these little Post-It notes in unexpected places to help remind them about you. You could place one in the bottom of the Corn Flakes that says, "I think Dave's a nice guy." Or one rolled up inside the wife's tube of lipstick that says, "Dave seems really down to earth, invite him to your party." Or go all out and swipe their home movies of all past parties and digitally insert yourself into them to prove how much more fun they could have had with you there. You could even be a member of their wedding party if you wanted to, or at their bedside clapping at the birth of their first child. The possibilities are limitless.
               Why is this so important to you? It is obvious that these neighbors do not think of you as a friend. In fact they may think of you as that "creepy guy that rakes strangers' yards." I realize that it might be embarrassing to be the only neighbor not invited to the party, but perhaps invited-neighbors are actually friends of these people. It's all right that you are not. Don't let this one yearly event force you to stalk these people. It's really not worth it. Have you ever given any thought to the fact that these neighbors throwing this party might be a couple of jerks? I mean, creepy as you may be, it is still a little rude to not invite you after you have raked their yard, waved your arm out of its socket at them, and invited them to your Christmas party. I don't think you're missing anything by not associating with these people.   And for future reference, keep this in mind. Just because you live next to someone does not mean that you have to be The Ricardo's and The Mertz's with them. If you wanted to be friends with your neighbors, maybe you should have moved next door to your friends.

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