Signs of a good neighbor revealed

A STUDY has revealed what you can do to be a good neighbor and why people care more about it now than it did before Covid.

A study of 2,000 adults found that watering plants and giving advance notice of a party are among the top 30 signs that next door is decent.

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Classic signs of good neighborliness were bringing in the garbage cans, accepting deliveries and watching the property when the owners are on vacation.

Small gestures like offering to help with DIY and gardening, packing groceries, and listening carefully when the neighbor opens up are also on the list.

Interestingly, 77 percent believe their street has some good neighbors, while a confident 92 percent think they’re personally a great person to live in.

One in five believe the pandemic has helped bring them closer to their neighbors, with 18 percent now investing more than ever in their community.

The research commissioned by Warburtons found that Brits now say “hello” or something similar to people on their street almost every day.

It also found that 14 percent are happier opening up to others in their community since the pandemic, with 25 percent reaching out to their neighbors to talk about the rising cost of living.

Jonathan Warburton, Chairman of Warburtons, said: “Today’s poll leaves no doubt that community and family values ​​are more important than ever to people across the country.

“We know how difficult the past two years have been for communities and that in many ways things are not getting any easier right now.

“However, it’s encouraging to see from our research that the little things can help make a difference, from taking out the trash to simply saying hello to the neighbors.”

One in six have given or received advice on saving with their neighbors, with 26 percent relying on their help more than ever amid the ongoing livelihood crisis.

For some, it means borrowing stuff from next door rather than buying new (18 percent) and partnering with a grocery store to save costs (14 percent).

Despite people’s money struggles, a quarter donate an average of £20 a month to community causes – including local charities, fundraisers and neighborhood watch, and 18 per cent say they get involved in other ways.

But while older Brits might call next door for a “cup of sugar,” modern versions call for home improvement tools, coffee, phone chargers, or even lateral flow testing.

Conducted via OnePoll, the study also showed that neighbors socialize by enjoying drinks at home (26 percent), barbecues (17 percent), street parties (15 percent), and exercising together (12 percent).

A testament to how trusting Brits are with their neighbours, more than a third would leave them a spare key to their home (35%) and 26% would ask them to look after their pets.

It seems the struggles of recent years have brought the Brits closer together, and benefits include having someone to clean the litter box while you’re out in the sun for a week.

Jonathan added: “As a family business, we recognize the importance people place on their communities by creating the Warburtons Foundation, a series of financial commitments, donations and projects that we hope will help many families, to better meet today’s challenges.”