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Poll: Do you know who your neighbours are?

A new survey suggests that one in two urban dwellers don’t even know the name of the person living next door.

shutterstock_306048659 Shutterstock / SpeedKingz Shutterstock / SpeedKingz / SpeedKingz

“EVERYBODY NEEDS GOOD neighbours,” claims the theme tune to the long-running Australian soap opera, but is that really the case?

A new survey undertaken by TK Maxx indicates that fully 50% of city-dwelling Europeans don’t even know the name of the person living next door.

One in five of those polled were unable to name a single person living in their entire neighbourhood.

burnsy

But is that the case in Ireland? Is a sense of community dying here? Or is it an urban phenomenon only?

We’re asking: Do you know who your neighbours are?


Poll Results:

Yes, I communicate with them all the time (5260)
I nod in their direction when I see them but I don't know them besides (2920)
I know what their names are (2805)
I don't know them, I have no interest in knowing them (946)
I'm too shy to speak to them (179)

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71 Comments
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    Mute Evan Wakefield
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:53 PM

    I’d have moved somewhere bigger if it wasn’t for the great neighbours I have here. Having bad ones can make your life a misery, good ones make you gurr cake.

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    Mute Caroline Otoole
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:22 PM

    Same here, I wouldn’t dream of moving and I’d be gutted if they moved. They are worth more than local amenities!

    92
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    Mute Jeremy DeChad
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:54 PM

    Would not dream of moving absolutely – have had to put up with so much BS that am not going to be the one to move. Having said that would have moved years ago only for the government stamp duty charges that we could not reconcile, stamp duty was much worse in the past. At this point I just blank the ..ers.

    23
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    Mute stephen kavanagh
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:38 PM

    Mine called me a gurrier once for blasting music late at night, have been avoiding them solidly for four years ever since

    156
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    Mute Uncle Monty
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:40 PM

    Before I judge them – what was the music?

    118
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:41 PM

    Answer carefully Stephen. Much of your remaining credibility is riding on the answer

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    Mute stephen kavanagh
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:43 PM

    I must confess it was terrible 80s, not even good 80s. It was some awful cheap compilation cd, I was mortified, had no idea it was so loud

    110
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:47 PM

    I hope the theme tune to neighbours wasn’t on it and left on repeat while you were sozzled in the corner. That would be ironic.

    53
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    Mute Uncle Monty
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:47 PM

    Don’t worry Stephen, I’m sure it was that evil red wine that made you do it.

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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:49 PM

    Evil red red wine.

    53
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    Mute stephen kavanagh
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:53 PM

    It was Rick Astley ilk, it must never happen again, I always have my headphones in nowadays when I feel my Astley fix coming on

    52
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    Mute Uncle Monty
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:55 PM

    You Rick-rolled your neighbours? You got off lightly with ‘gurrier’.

    84
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:56 PM

    No wonder he called you a gurrier ffs. I would have beaten the shit out of you for that. Stop digging man.

    You’re never gonna give it up, never gonna let it down.

    73
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    Mute Gene Parmesan
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:57 PM

    It often goes to ones head

    12
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    Mute stephen kavanagh
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:01 PM

    I love my Rick, feck the begrudgers

    23
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    Mute stephen kavanagh
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:02 PM

    Are you Art Vandelay, Uncle Monty? I always wondered

    21
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:05 PM

    Do you think he’d tell you after this admission, Stephen? Sorry kid. You’re on your own now.

    19
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:05 PM

    Stevie-no-mates.

    17
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    Mute Uncle Monty
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:08 PM

    Still master of my domain, Stephen.

    19
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    Mute stephen kavanagh
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:12 PM

    Rick is the only mate I need, he never lets me down

    28
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    Mute lorna
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    Nov 18th 2015, 10:24 PM

    what ever happened to Art?

    8
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    Mute Uncle Monty
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    Nov 19th 2015, 12:17 AM

    *cough*

    6
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 19th 2015, 1:02 AM

    Art and I used to have long conversations and clog up the boards talking about weed, Cork, Henry’s and one or two other things. Usually on the drug seizures articles. I think he may have finally found that spliff at the end of the rainbow and is now in a perpetual stoner paradise somewhere.

    4
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 19th 2015, 1:03 AM

    I know I am.

    4
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 19th 2015, 1:16 AM

    No-one ever asked what happened to me though

    *cough*, and another ‘hoping not to look too needy’ *cough* for effect tinged with a little sadness, loneliness, and a far wallop of desperation and rejection.

    Hint fcuking hint Stevo. You getting this?!?

    4
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 19th 2015, 1:18 AM

    I feel like Hansel and fcuking Gretel here dropping crumbs for you man. Fcuk you and your Rick Astley discography.

    4
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    Mute stephen kavanagh
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:06 AM

    Ah it’s you!

    1
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    Mute Uncle Monty
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:48 AM

    I see now, said the blind man. You had a rather unfortunate incident with some cannabutter? Pleased to meet you. Again.

    1
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 19th 2015, 1:25 PM

    Yes Monty. And another unfortunate incident with about 3 accounts since.

    1
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    Mute Sean Monahan
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:33 PM

    I’m having an affair with them

    153
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    Mute tmwtbc
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:34 PM

    All of them?

    99
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    Mute The Normal One
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:34 PM

    The husband, wife or child?

    46
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    Mute Ger Comings
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:35 PM

    Judging by your pic, Sean – are they Clingons?

    35
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    Mute Tim Outrage
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:38 PM

    Jasus, Ger. Was that you trying to be funny? I feel embarrassed for you.

    19
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    Mute Ger Comings
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:45 PM

    TO – the Clingon and journal resident. Most of us feel sorry for you m8.

    23
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    Mute Ger Comings
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:48 PM

    see pic

    12
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    Mute Sean Monahan
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:51 PM

    I live next to your Mam Ger, sorry you had to find out while trolling! Ask her to pop the kettle on will you? ;)

    46
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    Mute Ger Comings
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:02 PM

    Well Sean – you know he’s a Ferengi then…

    9
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    Mute Sean Monahan
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:06 PM

    Did you get sugar today? You had none in the press this morning. I’ll let you get back to watching reruns of Star Trek with the volume on high. Be over in a few.

    24
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    Mute Seb Bowyer
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    Nov 18th 2015, 9:31 PM

    Aww Sean – you know who we all are then.

    But your pic gave you away – as a Clingon…

    Live long with your problem.

    o/

    1
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    Mute Dave cullen
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:39 PM

    Only met mine this morning when I was returning their trampoline

    150
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    Mute O Swetenham
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:43 PM

    I know their Wi-Fi password. Does that count?

    130
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    Mute Finn
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:40 PM

    Yes of course.

    “Tall Guy”, “Greasy Head”, “The Maniac Across the Street” etc.

    Great bunch of lads.

    104
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    Mute GI Joe
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:08 PM

    My neighbour and i have established the unwritten rule of bringing each others wheelie bins into the driveway when the others not home, apart from that we just say hello

    109
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    Mute TommyRyder
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:58 PM

    I know all my neighbours.
    8 are from Thailand. One family from Biafra. 3 families from Irag.
    4 from Pakistan. One from Lithuania. There’s only two Sikhs in Waterford and one of them is a neighbour of mine.
    Nice guy, drives a taxi. His mate’s from Pakistan, he’s a butcher in a Hilal shop.
    10 Irish people. 6 Polish people. Three families from Brazil. They work in the meat plant and have great barbecues. Another Brazilian woman who’s married to an Irish Quaker.
    A good looking woman from Slovakia who stopped talking to me because her cat bit me.
    A prostitute from Hungary who charges 200 euros an hour ?????????
    A student from Saudi who bought the house with cash and has the best lifestyle for a student I’ve ever seen.
    Oh yeah. A girl from Portugal who reads tarot, she’s a witch.
    Great community.

    65
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    Mute Ger Comings
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:08 PM

    The Hungarian girl’s phone number?

    46
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    Mute TommyRyder
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:27 PM

    She’s actually very good looking. The landlord can’t get rid of her as she denies any wrong doing.
    The Gardai say the onus of proof is on the landlord, there’s nothing they can do.
    She has about 5 clients every day. 7 grand a week, cash. 350 grand a year, hard cash. Nice little earner.

    28
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    Mute Rehabmeerkat
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:42 PM

    My wife is Hungarian…. hope it’s not her. I’d go mental…. she’s never got me a PS4…. I’ve been dropping hints for months

    37
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    Mute Paul Geraghty
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:38 PM

    Jaysus growing up I knew literally everyone on my road . Think there are 32 gaffs on the road I was in 30 of them I think. Everyone knew everyone else but not in a nosey way. It was a new estate in 75 mostly young couples with young kids like. I presume all the men were out working and the woman met on road coming back from shops, cleaning their gardens etc and got to l ow each and through the kids playing together of course. They probably said to their husbands Patricia’s Mick sounds nice you should go for a pint with him. Didn’t know how lucky I was to be growing up on that road but I do now. Will always be my favourite road. Not really any cars stopping us playing on the road either

    41
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    Mute TommyRyder
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    Nov 18th 2015, 9:05 PM

    Same here.
    I grew up on a council estate in a small town in Co. Carlow.
    We were always in each others houses. The interaction was phenomenal.
    The lives of people on that estate were bound up with each other on a daily basis.

    22
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 18th 2015, 10:05 PM

    The council estate explains the list of neighbours you gave above, Tommy. But who are your neighbours now?

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    Mute TommyRyder
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    Nov 18th 2015, 10:57 PM

    No. The list above is my current neighbours. It’s a private apartment complex in Waterford.
    I’m living there 10 years now so get to know everybody.

    5
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    Mute mcgoo
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:40 PM

    Yes I communicate with them all the time, albeit through gritted teeth.

    29
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    Mute Paul
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:38 PM

    No option for some communication but not every time you see them.

    21
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    Mute Sandra Turner
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:06 PM

    Just caught one standing on top of a ten foot wall, climbing into my garden to retrieve a sweeping brush lost trying to correct the satellite signal, don’t know their name , they speak no English. The other I know what name other people call her, she speaks the language of love. A previous neighbour reported me missing to Gardaí as she hadn’t seen me in a few days (I’d just had a baby). Another previous neighbour we knew very well and kids played with. Went from knowing lots of neighbours to losing neighbours who moved on and rented out their houses to a conveyor belt of different characters.

    20
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    Mute Seán Domhnall O'Sullivan
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:44 PM

    I dont want to. I hear shouting and when you’re neighbours then look to be all friendly, sometimes its enough if one of them is a wagon! Some people you just dont wanna know its cool…

    19
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    Mute Seán Domhnall O'Sullivan
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:44 PM

    *your

    4
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    Mute Maurice Slater
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:40 PM

    nope don’t really know my neighbors, but they sure no me.

    16
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    Mute MainlyMarco
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:34 PM

    How sad am I? Must have been the first person to vote on this stood yoke. Got full 100%. Only 1 vote cast!!!

    13
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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:40 PM

    It’s fairly sad alright – especially seeing as it gave you so much obvious excitement in the process.

    24
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    Mute MainlyMarco
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:42 PM

    What can I say? I’m a sucker for this pointless shite. Now excuse me while I go and read my horoscope

    40
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    Mute Pat Morrissey
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:17 PM

    There are big differences between urban and rural, with small towns mire like rural in terms of interpersonal contact

    10
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    Mute Josephine Carroll
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:47 PM

    i have to say i have lovely neighbours….lovely people….on one side….on the other side no thanks not my company so just ignore….he only moved in few months back and was looking to know my business….asking were i be going so early in morning..(work)..asking other people….absolutely none of his business….s(ummy article….

    7
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    Mute Micky
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:10 PM

    Yip, the cats Dad.

    4
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    Mute ben
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    Nov 18th 2015, 8:22 PM

    Knoweth thout neighbour.

    3
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    Mute Affinity
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    Nov 18th 2015, 11:17 PM

    @ben bit like keep your friends close and your neighbourly enemies even closer

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    Mute Beachmaster
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    Nov 18th 2015, 7:54 PM

    That’s a bit harsh on Cianan. I’ve read much worse articles on here.

    3
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    Mute Sabrina
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    Nov 18th 2015, 11:24 PM

    The one in 21 is a bully, The owl one in 16 is nosey parker, the on in 15 and 18 are drug dealers, the one in 25 is a 91 year old lady lovely woman. the people in 24 creepy people all kinds of people coming and going, not sure what goes on in there. 26,27,28,29 have been sold no one in there, next door to me grand couple, other side another weirdo I just nod me head at them. Living in a 31 house cul de sac you tend to know everyone.

    2
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    Mute Affinity
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    Nov 18th 2015, 11:07 PM

    Don’t know them and don’t want to as some are nasty gossipers.

    2
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    Mute Ian O'Brien
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    Nov 18th 2015, 11:44 PM

    Seems like alot of ye are living here… https://youtu.be/IE8ER2bobIc

    1
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    Mute Rosa Parks
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:18 PM

    I nod at them and say hello but I dint really know them. But one of them helped me with something years ago so I’m glad he’s a neighbour – unlike the shouty women upstairs.

    1
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