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Health & Fitness

Nosy Neighbors

Nosy Neighbors: They may end up saving your life.

Imagine you've just pulled into your driveway. You're getting out of the car and just happen to glance across the street and see your neighbor looking out his window at you. Or you open your curtains and notice your next-door neighbor is monitoring your property more eagerly than her own. If this sounds familiar, you may be surrounded by nosy neighbors.

So what should you do about this? What can you do about this? Well, nothing really, unless they're totally creeping you out or invading your privacy too much.

And if you think about it, nosy neighbors can be a good thing! I for one love that some of my neighbors seem, well, attentive. It makes me rest easier knowing that when I'm not home, my elderly neighbors are part of an unofficial "neighborhood watch". Now living in Malverne already puts me at ease, as our crime rates are very low and our citizens are awesome.

There's something to be said for those nosy neighbors. They may be the first to notice a change in your schedule, a new friend, or your supermarket schedule, but they'll also be the first to notice someone fiddling with your window or entering your backyard in the middle of the day.

So the next time you give that awkward wave to a nosy neighbor who you've just made eye contact with, consider giving them a smile too. They may just end up protecting your property from a fire, saving your life or stopping a crime. That really nosy neighbor might also be a really great friend you don't know you have.

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