5 Ways To Be a Good Neighbor

Peering through the blinds, I watched as my neighbor let his dog traipse through another neighbor's yard, dig in the flower beds and relieve himself near the sidewalk. Of course, the dog's owner didn't pick up his pet's poop. He was too busy enjoying a cigarette and flicking the still-burning butt into our street.

I really didn't think it was that hard to be a good neighbor. But for those folks who obviously need a primer, here are 5 ways to avoid being the most hated house on the block.

1. Keep your property neat. Mow the grass. Pick up your trash and remove the kids toys strewn across your lawn. Don't decrease everyone else's property values with your laziness.

2. Control your pets. Keep dogs on a leash. Pick up their poo. And by all means don't let them incessantly bark.

3. Be quiet. Listening to Def Leppard on your surround sound doesn't make you cool. Nor does revving a leaf blower at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning.

4. Keep your drama inside. If I wanted to watch someone yelling and screaming in their driveway surrounded by 42 cop cars, I'd turn on "COPS".

5. Slow down. I'm glad your Porche can go 0-60 in 2.5 seconds...but is that really going to matter when you plow down someone's kid?