Etiquette for meeting new neighbours in a village

[OwlHoot]

If one has just moved into a house in a fairly remote village, what is the drill for meeting the neighbours?

Basically, does one go and knock on their doors and introduce oneself, or do you wait until they knock on yours?

Although not particularly interested either way, as I'll probably meet most in due course anyway one way or another, I don't want to come over as a rude recluse.

This problem doesn't arise much in London flats, as most people studiously ignore their neighbours! There were tenants in some of the 10 flats of the building I was in that I never once spoke to in 20 years.

[DaveB]

If one has just moved into a house in a fairly remote village, what is the drill for meeting the neighbours?

Basically, does one go and knock on their doors and introduce oneself, or do you wait until they knock on yours?

Although not particularly interested either way, as I'll probably meet most in due course anyway one way or another, I don't want to come over as a rude recluse.

This problem doesn't arise much in London flats, as most people studiously ignore their neighbours! There were tenants in some of the 10 flats of the building I was in that I never once spoke to in 20 years.

Pop into the Local Shop, I'm sure they'll make you welcome.

[pjclarke]

They'll be knocking on your door soon enough. In our village there is a bewildering array of cliques, circles and sub-cliques. Some socialise down the pub, others would not be seen dead in a pub and have house parties, BBQs, cocktails etc. Then there's the politics: I am on the Orchard group and the Bee group will not talk to us, even though their hives are adjacent to our trees and bushes and we had to build our own shed cos' they wouldn't let us share their (immaculate, but empty) structure , the Sustainability group hate the Roads group and so forth. There are feuds and personality clashes going back years, its way better than CUK.

Do you have kids? Kids tend to make friends, and you then get to know their parents. At a social event I let slip I was a School Governor in my previous locale and before I knew it I was on the board at the local primary, which led to another social group of parents and teachers plus useful local knowledge on which were the families to avoid and a key role as Mr Tombola at the Summer Fair. Plus one of the Governors runs a whisky shop and our favoured fundraiser is a whisky tasting evening, followed by a lockin/poker game at one of the pubs or a night clubbing (at the Legion)....

The Archers is required listening, with luck, after 6-7 years and hard work you may lose part of the stigma of being 'the incomer'. Good luck.

[mudskipper]

Go to church.

[northernladuk]

Hold an 'Eyes Wide Shut' themed swingers party.

[northernladuk]

You could go to the local...

[Mich the Tester]

...'Eyes Wide Shut' ...

all three of them?

[Mich the Tester]

You could go to the local...

Arr

[pjclarke]

Pop into the Local Shop, I'm sure they'll make you welcome.

Ha, filmed in Hadfield, just down t'road ....

[KentPhilip]

You could go to the local...

Keep clear of the moors