Before I commit a major faux pas...

BrandNewDay

I need to verify if this is OK to do or not...

In the US, it's common to bake cookies and things to share with neighbors and acquaintances. Some people really excell at this, and will distribute beautifully celophaned plastic trays of assorted homebakes goodies to all their neighbors, people who perform services (like the piano teacher or daycare provider), people at Church, etc.

Well, on an American expat in UK board, someone brought up that they heard someone on a British chat show ranting on about how they hated all the American mums in their neighborhood doing this, and they thought the whole practice was "Typically American and totally annoying."

So... if I am laboring under the false impression that taking cookies around to the six other cottages in our little neighborhood will be a nice way to get to know my new neighbors, please let me know! GOD FORBID I should, you know, offend someone by being "too American."

redballoon_2

sounds a lovely idea to me!

Mumstheword

You can bring them to my door! I'm biz at cake making, but will smile and say a massive thank you!! (can't chat for too long tho, otherwise the kids would eat all the yummy cookies before I got chance!)

BrandNewDay

Well, that would be the second time this week that I've been informed that something I was considering doing was "Very American" in such a way as to make it very clear that this would be a BAD THING. (The first was: considering a baby name that has a last name for a middle name. The person did concede that nobody needs to know unless they were to read the birth certificate, so it might be OK...)

mirakl

I think it's a nice idea. It's definitely quite an American idea but so what? Go for it, it only becomes too American if you strip off and hand out cookies having painted yourself from head to toe in the stars and stripes.

cazziebo

I would love one of my neighbours to hand in cookies and would feel so good that they'd spent their precious time and energy on me.

Wish I was one of your neighbours BND! Do it - it's a lovely idea!

Jet

Yes, I think it's a really nice idea. It certainly wouldn't offend me - I'd be really flattered. Do you want to move into my road?

tanith

What a nice idea to get to know your neighbours.. but I do think our American cousins go OTT when doing this sort of stuff... just a nice plate of homemade biscuits or cakes would suffice methinks and be very welcomed.. :T:A but don't go over the top with the wrapping and tarting it up or your new neighbours will wonder what you'r up too............:eek:

wigginsmum

I would be chuffed to bits if a neighbour did this in our road. As long as it doesn't become a competition to see who can produce the frilliest tray

Chipps

Well, if anyone is offended by being given a lovely gift of home made biscuits - and is rude enough to say so, under the guise of being "too British"... then I despair!
Anyway, it's the sort of thing people used to do here too. Before we all stopped speaking to one another!
Actually I think it's rather sad if generosity is seen as belonging to another nation, and nothing to do with us.
So go ahead! If anyone thinks it is a bit odd, they'll put it down to you being American, and not mind because of that! And if anyone is really snooty - well, you'll have got to know quite a lot about that particular neighbour, won't you!!!! But my guess is that mostly people will be delighted! I know I would!

TNG

As a way of getting to know your neighbours, it's a great idea.

It's when it becomes a regular occurrence that the British start feeling guilty 'cos they haven't 'returned the favour' (as it were) and calling it 'too American'

As a one-off, I would think everyone would be touched that you had made such an effort