How to be a good neighbor in Lithuania

There's a saying in Lithuania: "Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away" („Kaimynas arti geriau, negu brolis toli." (Patarlių 27:10, Brb)). Lithuanians are quite warm people with open doors for everyone. Of course a  fellow native would probably be greeted with more affection just because of no language barriers and common knowledge of the traditions, but most of the people would accept a foreign neighbor just as well, especially if you follow some guidelines from the "neighbor bible" :).                            

The first thing that should be quite obvious to everyone is that you always greet your neighbors, and in Lithuania, most commonly any person that you see in your building (just because you are never sure if he is or isn't  an actual neighbor of yours, you just forgot).

Something that happens here in Lithuania is a game I call - all year long secret Santa. This is when you and your neighbors leave random objects or candy to give away on the window shelves or tables in your building staircase. For example, in my building staircase there was  a branchy plant that always had some chocolates hanging on them, Easter eggs, Christmas Santa chocolates, valentines day hearts, random Rafaello's. More bizarre stuff that you might find: makeup, board-games, robot toys, magazines, sculptures. And no, you do not need to leave a thank you note when you take something :) But have in mind that you are now involved in this reciprocity game and should surprise them with something.

Another thing from having a good relationship with your neighbor here is that you feel no shame in knocking on their door on that rainy day just to ask for an egg or some carrots, because it is raining outside or you are just so darn lazy. My family and my neighbors were always so close, we had monthly parties just with the neighbors, regardless the age, borrowing cocoa at night, arranging a cleaning schedule for the staircase, respecting one another and even taking out each others garbage. Your neighbor can become your closest friends, so convenient, right? :)


And for the end, just some basic neighborly rules:

If you find a letter in your mailbox that was meant for your neighbor, put it in his mailbox, don't throw it away...

If you listen to music or have a party, inform your closest neighbors or try to keep it down, imagine that sound coming from your neighbors when you have an exam the next day or an early workday.

Treat them as if you would like to be treated.

Speak your mind, if something is bothering you, do not expect them to realize themselves, and be calm, don't yell.

:) here is your starter kit in being a good neighbor here in Lithuania