50 Times Neighbors Went Above And Beyond, Becoming The Unsung Heroes Of Everyday Life (New Pics)

Unfortunately, we can’t always choose who we live next to. So there’s not much we can do but hope that they’re decent human beings, who might not become relationships/friends/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">friends, but hopefully, won’t become nemeses, either. That’s because both good and bad neighbors can quite significantly influence our day-to-day lives and, by extension, our well-being.

“Good neighbors can be a source of support and friendship; bad neighbors can be a source of aggravation and anger,” licensed clinical social worker Robert Taibbi told Bored Panda in a recent interview, adding that unless you are willing to move away, you are stuck with them for better or worse.

People who, unfortunately, weren’t lucky enough to draw the nice people in the neighbor lottery might find it difficult to believe, but in the US, close to nine-in-ten people like their neighbors, PR Newswire reports. Delving deeper into neighbor relationships, a survey found that the thing people like most about their neighbors is their friendliness, followed by their sense of respect and consideration.

Other things people appreciate about their neighbors are the latter watching out for them, being trustful, and not turning away when asked for a favor or to lend something. People also appreciate that their neighbors return the things that they borrow and like the fact that their kids, as well as their pets, can play together.

“Kindness is always in the eyes of the beholder. Even saying good morning to someone, especially if they're depressed or lonely, can make a big difference and change their mood,” Taibbi noted, talking about how being nice to your neighbors can make a difference.

“It can also influence the way they view their lives,” he added. “They might see others or themselves as more positive than they thought.”

According to Taibbi, you never know what can make a difference in someone’s life, and that’s a good enough reason to be kind. “That said, don’t confuse being kind with being too accommodating and sweeping problems under the rug,” he said.

“Kindness is about courtesy, respect, and empathy. But if problems arise, you can apply these same ideas to be assertive and work together to solve a certain problem.”

According to the aforementioned survey, a small part of the respondents don’t feel that fond of their neighbors; and while they all might have their reasons, some seem to be more common than others.

The survey found that the thing that bothers people the most about their neighbors is them being loud. They tend to also be aggravating because of their unruly pets, because of how nosy they are, how they don’t care for boundaries, and how sloppy their house is, among other things.

When dealing with bothersome neighbors, it might be best to, as Taibbi suggested, approach any problems with courtesy, respect, and empathy. After all, we are social beings, so you might not want to burn all the bridges with those living around you.

According to Taibbi, while our need for social contact varies by personality, we are naturally social creatures. “We know that those who are lonely and isolated struggle. Solitary confinement in prisons is a punishment because the negative impact of lack of connection is real. Being part of a group not only helps us feel connected, but supported, too. Being around people who share our perspective and values helps us feel validated. Being invisible is for many a core fear.”