They can be nice or nasty or somewhere in between. If they’re nice, they can make life a little more tolerable; if they’re nasty, they can make life intolerable.

The worst case I ever heard of involved some friends of mine. They were verbally abused by the people next door, had rocks and rubbish constantly thrown over the fence, and, worst of all, had loud music played into their property by strategically installed speakers, all for no known reason.
I have heard of others who have raised a riot over a dog, a piece of fencing, or the way next door’s visitors park their car. There have been those who have called the police because of noise, written demanding letters to local councils and members of parliament, all in a running battle with the people over the fence. Some have spent years without saying a word to each other.
Some like a fight
I am convinced by conversations I have had that there are some folk who will argue over anything. If they haven’t a bone to pick then life is a bit boring. Others are convinced that someone is bound to be taking them down, ripping them off for their socks or somehow taking an unfair advantage of them.
No wonder there are lonely people. Many have cut themselves off from others, blaming everyone else for the isolation they have chosen to live in.
Some just don’t care
Of course, there can be nasties in the neighbourhood. Their attitude is summed up in; ‘I’m all right; too bad about you. Don’t bother me.’ So they live without consideration and courtesy, the essentials of neighbourliness.
What can be done?
The words of old Aesop are still relevant. He who would have friends must show himself friendly. How much better it is to have friends rather than enemies.
Say ‘Hello’; don’t look the other way when you see them. Be pleasant, even if they don’t seem to be. Make a point of reaching out instead of waiting for someone to reach out to you. Be prepared to give and not receive anything in return. If you are a cheerful, thoughtful person you will be sure to make a friend or two. In fact, when trouble strikes them, you may be the first person they think of that may help.
Having something to share
If people haven’t found secrets of lasting happiness, contentment or joy, they are constantly searching, often complaining and feeling envious of others.
If we have something worth living for we are able to share it in a positive way. Those who know why they are here in this world have a secret worth telling. When people discover the way to God they will be bursting to let others in on it. (The way is a person; the person is Jesus.)
If you haven’t anything to share with others, perhaps you have never discovered for yourself why we are here in this world. True?