Before I commit a major faux pas...

rainbowrisin

BrandNewDay wrote:

Well, perhaps it's too pushy? While the thing you all mention is the guilt over not having reciprocated, perhaps there's more to it? Perhaps this is forcing an intimacy that is unwarranted just because we happen to live on the same row of cottages?

It may be better to limit to people I'm actually on friendly terms with, and leave the neighbors I rarely even see to wave at out of it?

It's not as if you're giving cookies to half the neighbourhood, tho - I wouldn't have thought a small gift to the cottages near you would be OTT. I think it's a really nice way to introduce yourself and family to the near neighbours. We always give Christmas cards and a very small gift to our neighbours, and some of them don't even celebrate Christmas, but all of them take it in the spirit it was meant.
I wouldn't worry about being TOO American - you are American and are bound to do things slightly differently, which is nice, I think.

carrieparkinson

BrandNewDay wrote:

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...)

my sons middle name is draven...... nothing wrong with that. we wanted a different name 4 him so we chose blade 4 his 1st name (and no not after the film)

tiff

BrandNewDay wrote:

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...)

We lived in America 9 years ago and my son was born there. He has a last name for one of his middle names because I thought it was a great idea! I wanted him named after a grandparent but his name was Victor Gilbert and I really didnt want him saddled with one of those names!

I would love a neighbour to bring something round to break the ice, I had a couple of neighbours do that when we moved to the US. Recently we have had new next door neighbours move in, the old ones kept very much to themselves even though they had similar aged children to one of mine. We found them standoffish. I told my hubby to go and introduce himself to our new neighbours so off he went and spoke to the lady who is from the South Pacific and he said she was lovely and she said when they had decorated the house they would love to have us over for dinner and wine! My OH said thats a bit friendly for these parts (jokingly) I think its great.

Elliesmum

^^^^^^^^^

Me too!

EM X

Peem

BrandNewDay wrote:

(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...)

I don't think this is a purely american thing at all.

I'm a Scot - my mum and my sisters and my dad all have "surnames" for middle names. In fact I know a few people who have "surnames" for christian names. I really wanted to call my son Gillies from my Gran's maiden name but was laughed down at work - wish I'd stuck to my guns now and not listened.

I hate when people are ignorant and look down on things just because they don't know about them. I always want to know more.

And I'd never turn down cake.

I hardly know our neighbours - apart from chatting when the kids are all playing and saying hi in the street. Feels odd to me, where I'm from everyone wants to know everyone else's business :rotfl: and this means they're friendlier and a lot more willing to be open (cos it means you might let them know something)

So - bring round the cake.

CLARABEL

mmmmmmmmmmm


coooookieeeeeeeeeeeessss


I want you to ome and live here too...let us all know next time you move so we can bid for you!
oh, and can we have your all - american recipe please??

thanks
clara.x

Sarahsaver

I wanted my daughter to have my dads surname as her middle name but her dad would't have it so we compromised - Elizabeth instead of Ellis.
I have exchanged food with neighbours, made a cake for neighbours for xmas one year when I was broke but had the ingredients for a cake, they were so pleased. We tend to look out for one another and also give each other food if we are going away rather than binning it. Also shared a glut of gooseberries and bought them potatoes when we went to a farm shop.
start with cookies, and see how you get on! I would not personally choose cookies but if I was offered free ones - way to go! I remember trying pumpkin pie when I was about 7 yrs old, from an american mum at my primary school. We thought it was gross but it is an acquired taste. We have cultural differences and I would say be yourself!
It depends what kind of community you live in I think. The neighbours in question I mentioned before are Polish/Italian so hospitality is a major part of their culture and I have often had a large brandy at 2pm so as not to offend (honest) :eek:

AMIE399

I Want To Live In Your Road Too !!!!!!

Chipps

I have to say that our neighbours are great food-sharers! They are from the Phillipines, and often appear with a huuuuge bowl of noodles, especially if there is an excuse for it, eg at our silver wedding anniversary party they turned up with some, and if we have helped them in any way some lovely food sometimes appears a few days later (not always - that's not why we help them!:D )
Anyway, I have never been offended, nor felt guilty for not reciprocating in kind. And I don't think they would want it to turn into some kind of out-doing-one-another-with-food-offerings contest!

BrandNewDay

Thanks, everyone, for your positive responses! I have reported back to the American Expat message board that cookies are considered a good thing, regardless of what some sourpuss may have said on TV.