Grrrrrr MN today, just typed long post and webpage reloaded!
So probably more readable version: we moved into a semi detached house a few months ago. To start with neighbours seemed friendly, but since then seem a bit standoffish. Moving day they said please pop round if you need anything, come over for a cuppa when people can mix etc.
We asked for some help lifting something a workman had let us down on, 1 minute job. The man did it but wasn’t v friendly to DH. He then popped round a few weeks later to ask to borrow some of our drive for a little while, was friendly and again said anything we need etc, he told me he had good contacts for builders plumbers etc when I mentioned we wanted bathrooms and decorating but struggling to find anyone.
A few weeks later (still struggling to find tradesmen) I popped round and it was just the wife in, asked for their trade contacts. She explained she was home alone for the evening as husband working late. They have a young child so I said don’t worry about bringing it round, here’s my number, just send it. She said ooh good idea, will be handy.
Then no text, but her husband called me the next day and tersely explained he would get their details to me. I thanked him, and again when a text with details arrived. Nothing at all since them, not seen them.
This week a knock at the door and there is a delivery man holding a parcel, handed it to me, I said this isn’t ours. He explained next door had a note up ‘please deliver to number ***’ (us).
I don’t get it - are we helpy neighbours or not? I texted and said we have a parcel for you. He said yes, we know, we’re away will collect tomorrow night’ we’ll they’re home, not collected, and I don’t feel I can take it round because it really feels like they’re keeping us at arms length.
We e just moved from a lovely village, where everyone helped each other without being intrusive. It’s an adjustment here anyway, zero sense of community, but I’m really confused by the on/off.
And I would never expect parcels to be taken in without asking!