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I wonder if this argument holds less weight now that people in blocks of flats in some metropolises have less interest in interacting with their neighbours than

I wonder if this argument holds less weight now that people in blocks of flats in some metropolises have less interest in interacting with their neighbours than decades ago -- in Helsinki for instance it is a faux pas to speak to one's neighbours, and some even claim that politeness demands you check through the peephole that the hallway is empty before going out, so you don't bump into a neighbour and make him/her uncomfortable. Plus, there must be a greater turnover of tenants these days due to study and job mobility, so why bother trying to build relationships.

thebean11 6y ago
Interacting with neighbors is one part, but it's also things like noise, and the businesses in the area (catering to tourists vs locals).
- Clampower 6y ago
  Like when the Amsterdam city center, in addition to made in china pot leaf trinket stores, all of the sudden was overrun with Nutella Ice Bakery waffel stores, peddling some vague idea that tourists have about waffles and Nutella being local culture, making these businesses completely irrelevant to locals.
bogomipz 6y ago
>"I wonder if this argument holds less weight now that people in blocks of flats in some metropolises have less interest in interacting with their neighbours than decades ago -- in Helsinki for instance it is a faux pas to speak to one's neighbours, and some even claim that politeness demands you check through the peephole that the hallway is empty before going out, so you don't bump into a neighbour and make him/her uncomfortable." What evidence is there that people in "some metropolises have less interest in interacting with their neighbours than decades ago"? I can't speak for Helsinki but honestly the behavior you describe sounds borderline pathological. I've lived in many cities around the world and would not describe that as common.

thebean11 6y ago

Interacting with neighbors is one part, but it's also things like noise, and the businesses in the area (catering to tourists vs locals).

Clampower 6y ago
Like when the Amsterdam city center, in addition to made in china pot leaf trinket stores, all of the sudden was overrun with Nutella Ice Bakery waffel stores, peddling some vague idea that tourists have about waffles and Nutella being local culture, making these businesses completely irrelevant to locals.

bogomipz 6y ago

>"I wonder if this argument holds less weight now that people in blocks of flats in some metropolises have less interest in interacting with their neighbours than decades ago -- in Helsinki for instance it is a faux pas to speak to one's neighbours, and some even claim that politeness demands you check through the peephole that the hallway is empty before going out, so you don't bump into a neighbour and make him/her uncomfortable." What evidence is there that people in "some metropolises have less interest in interacting with their neighbours than decades ago"? I can't speak for Helsinki but honestly the behavior you describe sounds borderline pathological. I've lived in many cities around the world and would not describe that as common.