The average adult hasn’t spoken to their neighbour for three weeks – but millions enjoy ‘passive aggressive’ posts on community social media pages.
A study of 2,000 UK adults found 56% of those in local online groups report sniping and backbiting, with 34% describing it as pure entertainment.
And 47% have shared information with their friends and family about certain posts, because they were so outrageous or amusing.
Nearly a third (31%) of adults are friends with a neighbour on Facebook, and 17% follow at least one on Instagram.
The study, commissioned by mobile network giffgaff to examine the level of community spirit throughout the UK, also found one in 20 even go as far as saying they can’t remember the last time they spoke to their next door neighbour face-to-face.
However, when wanting to communicate about peeves such as dogs barking loudly, inappropriate parking and rubbish, 18% find it easier or prefer to voice their thoughts online, rather than approach a neighbour to discuss in person.
Communications expert Amira Mansour, commenting on the mobile network’s research, said: “It can be difficult to make time for our neighbours.
“The research found many don’t have close relationships with people in their local area, and this can lead to feelings of isolation.
“However, ironically, these people shouldn’t feel alone, as it seems there are millions in the same boat and there are ways that we can improve our communication with those in our community.”
While 10% miss the community friendliness they felt during the UK’s lockdowns, one in five believe community spirit is alive and well where they live and 14% would like to be better friends with their neighbours.
Just over one in 10 would like to get to know people living nearby more, but aren’t sure how to go about doing it.
However, 43% have made the effort to chat to a neighbour - about a different local resident's behaviour.
Some of the most common annoyances adults have with their neighbours include inappropriate parking (24%), and loud music (22%).
Another 21% get wound up by dogs barking loudly, and 16% get the hump when houses close by have overly loud house parties.
A tenth get annoyed by people’s houses having a messy exterior, like rubbish lying around, according to the OnePoll.com data.
Ash Schofield, CEO at giffgaff added: "It feels like there’s a real appetite to connect with neighbours and our local communities, even if those moments can sometimes lead to passive aggressive conversations.
“At giffgaff, we’re dedicated to making connectivity a force for good. When we’re connecting well with our neighbours we create closer, more meaningful communities that can do amazing things.”
TOP 20 NEIGHBOURLY ANNOYANCES:
- Inappropriate parking
- Loud music
- Dogs barking loudly
- Shouting
- Noisy children
- Noise from a house party
- Doors being slammed
- Loud TV
- Messy exterior appearance e.g. not tidying up, leaving paint chipped etc.
- Animal faeces left outside
- Smoking
- Having a fire/BBQ
- Leaving the bins out/not putting them away
- Having to take their parcels in repeadtedly
- Swearing loudly
- Littering
- Not giving you a heads up about construction work
- Having a bold colour front door
- Not holding a door open for you
- Not holding a lift for you
AMIRA'S TIPS FOR NEIGHBOURLY CONVERSATIONS:
- Small talk can be a good thing - Find ways to start to interact with neighbours on a more daily basis so that when situations that bother you crop up, you’ve already got a relationship with them. You can create small talk by staying curious, asking questions and listening to how they respond.
- Keep it short - We love to over explain things but it’s important to keep your points clear, succinct and on topic. It’s helpful to prepare what you want to say beforehand to help you feel more confident in addressing the situation.
- Stop focusing on being right - Ask yourself how you can see it from their perspective and try focusing on a solution that works for you all.
