It seems that most people don't know their next door neighbors.  Why?
216480
no i don't no my neighbors I've learned through the years that its best to stay at home and mind your own business that way you don't get involved in things you don't wont to be in
97122
for you it is not wrong but for a neighbor, it may be wrong
79761
Your answer is a bit simplistic, I think.  There are myriad reasons why many of us can't just take random people into our homes.  Also, many poor people don't want to be "taken in" like stray cats, ya know?  We need a more long-term, workable solution than that.  It's a complicated issue.
180366
because its a big money maker // its for lazy people that dont want to get of the house to find someone special.going out is to much work so they rather stay home and meet people the lazy way.
305210
it seems to me that people who live in more populated areas interact with more people and hear and discuss more different ideas than people who live in less crowded areas.  I think seeing that there are people in other religions and from other cultures AND that they are good people leads one to be more open-minded and tolerant --- and less convinced that there is only one right way to believe.
390989
You really didn't provide enough information for me to know if you are racist or not. As far as I can tell, you are.  You say you don't want to live next door to people who exhibit the behavior you described, and you have observed this behavior to a great extent coming from members of particular races. So to say you wouldn't be inclined to move into a predominately Mexican or Black neighborhood would make sense, but you said you wouldn't want to live next door to one. If you weren't racist, I think you would have said that although you have seen many Black and Mexican households that make a lot of noise, park in the yard, etc., you wouldn't mind living next to members of those races who do not have those characteristics. So yes, I believe you may very well be racist, but I reserve judgment since I don't know you personally.
483781
In America we used to build a big porch on the front of the house.  Then in the 60s we switched to a big patio in the back yard.  For a while after that the 'living room' was the social gathering spot.  Now it's a darkened interior room containing a small glowing screen and we type to each other. \n\nThe neighbors are still there, but we no longer know who they are.
253032
Well it could be that the guy was consulting one of those databases of information that is a consolidation of all known addresses, billing addresses, addresses you might have listed anytime you were asked for address info. Now if someone were looking up his (the dead guy's) current and past addresses, it will also tell them who the neighbors were. Sometimes there will not be forwarding info so it might have been that as they were following leads on people who might have known this guy from the old addresses. They were looking up names assocaited with him in any way and your name might have been the same as someone else who may have been linked in some far off manner. If they don't have all personal details for a name, like birthday, past address info or anything other than a name, the program would spit out a list of possible matches with the same name and they probably were contacting them all. I've tried helping people look for family members before and this type of thing happens. You will get lots of hits on a first and last name in a nationwide search. That's probably why he was not surprised.
14834
well, some people feel that they may be living in a small town, where in that case, everybody knows you. You could also not want to join all those clubs that everybody suggests to meet new people. You may feel inadequate where you reside and even though you would love to move, can't find a job where you want to live yet. at the same time, you can always network on the internet as well. there are so many people I've met over the internet that would love for me to visit them, and yes I would be careful, but I've known them for years. I have a friend in California who's dying for me to visit her, which would be cool becuase I wouldn't get lost in L.A.. I have a friend in D.C. who's got my back as well. I'm not dating them, but they are friends that I would never meet where I'm living at. Most folks just want to meet like-minded people and the internet has tons of them. you don't have to be shy, but yes I've met alot of shy people on the internet. I don't mind it, it's connecting everybody and nobody's shy over the internet, there are some bafoons, but hey, you can meet those in a club or where ever you go. I haven't met a quality chick out here, but I met a couple over the internet who live on the other side of my state, and that was cool, I didn't date them becuase they live too far, but it's  nice to know I have friends out there. if people are lying, after a while you can tell, unless you have intentions of dating them. I say make frieds with them, with any luck, you'll meet their friends.
83477
It could be subconsciously, The sweet thing that moved in next door or across the street. Go introduce yourself !
267949
because they are the untouchables.. we will never have them as neighbors or friends, we'll never meet them. so it's like one of the unsolved mysteries.. we will always want to know...but never will...
467668
i am not from your area but i would advise you to take this time to get to know your new neighbors and ask around.
226958
I think people don't have respect for their neighbor like they did back in the day.  It's all about caring about people other than yourself.  Consider the following question: If you build a privacy fence around your back yard, should you put the "pretty" side (the side without the posts) on the outside or the inside?  People I've asked these days say, "I want to see the pretty side when I'm in the back yard."  I say I want my neighbors to see the pretty side.  It may be a stupid example, but it's a sign of how people think these days.  I guess I'm just old-school.
230289
Amen!!\n\nI believe our "labeling system" is due in part to ignorance. People, in general, don't want to work at getting to know other people...they just base their own opinions on the gossip and opinions of others.\n\nGetting to know each other would require responsibility and a little bit of work, on our parts. Some people just don't want to be bothered, and that's incredibly sad.\n\nThank God I'm not one of them! How are ya...it's nice to meet you!!
140437
It used to be neighborhoods had people that were home all day. Kids had a bit more freedom because no matter where you were someones mom probably saw you. \nPeople now are much more concerned about what they own and how they will get it, we think we have more needs and are always trying to keep up with the standard we see in the media. We are a society of image rather than relationships. We preach tolerance and we judge appearances.\nWe move too fast and seem to think treating each other in insulting ways in comedic. \nPeople demand respect but seldom give it. We judge fast and forgive slowly.
524325
wow someone else who notices this!\nI read an artical about how neighbors are not really neighbors any more they just live next to someone!\nthey polled some people somewhere! Iknow not really relable but anyway~\nthey say that over 60% of people don't know there neighbors name! \ni guess they had it right in the ol days  more friendships! \nBut there is always that execption! and from my view I don't talk to strangers but i work in Detroit I'm female with no body guard I don't think the ratio is good for me to go up to strangers and talk to them!\neven helping somone on the side of the road! again i'm playing the female card! \nBut now with most peoples mindsets they look at you like a wacko or someone who is drunk when someone approaches another!\nso i feel you to a point! but maybe if the world were not so evil then i would feel at ease talking to other peeps!\nWell \nMad luv!~
562786
i live in a small town as well, and i think that happens in every town. what i have done is i just dont care what people have to say anymore, because it is all the same no matter what everyone has an opinion and most people feel inclined to give it just ignore them all. and be careful who you make friends with and how much info you divulge