by Bernice Dennis

Created on: March 08, 2010   Last Updated: March 28, 2010

You can beat anyone with kindness-there simply is no nothing to beat a frendly smile,and a helping hand. Have you ever heard the saying that you catch mor flies with hone than with vinger.  

Dealing with a rude neighbor is similar to dealing with a rude co- worker. with one exception, the neighbor you can close your door, build a fence, grow fence trees; and choose not to look at that neighbor. But is that the right way to handle the situation? When considering how to deal with a rude neighbor you must remember that you are bigger than that. You must not allow your-sell f to become as they are. When you react in that same manner it is not long before you are the rude neighbor. I don't know if any of the today's readers remember the story of the Hatfield's and McCoy's. It was a comic strip conceived from a real life situation.  The two families fought so long with each other -they forgot while they were trying to kill each other. Life is too short to spend it feuding with your neighbors. Try the following:  

Be nice

Many of us in our life time will occasionally run into rude neighbor and the simplest way to deal with that neighbor is: be nice at all times, don't gossip about your neighbors; and be willing to offer a helping hand if needed.  Speak to your neighbor even if they turn their head and refuse to speak to you-you haven't lost a thing.  If, their news paper or mail get in your box by mistake, give it back with a smile. Or the grass that grows near your end of the law cut and edge, as if it were yours. Perhaps you did this before they became rude neighbors.

Respect privacy

Learn to respect each others privacy. Sometimes we are the ones that are rude and don't realize that we are.  When we have friends that come over, and they are loud, parking in front of our neighbor's house without permission. When we have Parties that last late into the night, especially if our neighbors are older; they need their rest-that's rude.

Be Loving

Always be willing to extend a helping hand-just because it might be refused that is no reason to stop. I have always been told that love will in the end win over your enemies. If you continue to show love and not animosity towards your neighbor- eventually you will win them over. Love has a power that not even a rude neighbor can stand against.  Therefore, leave a basket of fresh garden vegetables on the door stoop, or a dozen fresh eggs.

I hope you are getting the picture here: be nice regardless, you are setting an example of what it means to love thy neighbor as thy self. If you are not the rude neighbor today; just wait one day you might be. It does not cost you anything to be nice-it makes your life healthy and better than the rude neighbor. You never know what your neighbor is going through,spend some time in prayer just for that neighbor.

Learn more about this author, Bernice Dennis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.