This morning my neighbor Micah came by and said that his dad would like me to look at his truck. The brake lights had stopped working. "My mom said she'll cut your hair, and we have extra sausage and eggs if you're hungry". I took a look at the wiring , then figured out it was only a fuse. I enjoyed a breakfast burrito and had my hair cut without driving to town.
In these difficult economic times, we should consider getting to know some of our neighbors better. In doing this , we can develop people guilds. A plumber who needs a website, a computer savvy person who has a broken toilet. How many folks live in an apartment complex ? How many can provide a service to a neighbor ? The services provided are not taxed , and usually both parties are content with what they have received in exchange for their services. I would urge you to consider getting to know the people that we would normally only greet, and develop people guilds so that our time and energy is efficiently used within our communities.
Puna, Hi. Nov. 2008
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I am completely in favour of this. I am not terribly crafty or good with my hands but I am great at writing letters, making phone calls etc. I often help out some of my elderly neighbours with things like filling out forms or calling for tradesmen and so on. I also drive a lot of my neighbours to doctor's appointments and so on. In return I get pots of homemade jam, fruit and veg from their garden or in one case, an entire tray of spinach and ricotta cannelloni. There should definitely be more people guilds. It builds a sense of community.
Puna, this post reminds me of simpler times. When doctor's were paid with fresh eggs, chickens, or a home-cooked meal. Considering the benefits of deepening relations with those we share the earth with, how wrong could that be? I envy that lifestyle.
A greater sense of community is what we all need right now Selma. Sounds like you're getting some tasty goodies.
Dan, I am always surprised by what people have to offer in trade around here. I really do enjoy this lifestyle.Thanks for visiting.
When I first moved to Chicago, I would start conversations with people in elevators, or standing and waiting for the light to change at an intersection. Invariably, people would look at me like an alien, so I stopped. I just do my own thing now, like most others. I definitely miss the feeling of connectedness that is possible in smaller communities. I'm sure its possible in the big city too, but it takes two, and I've yet to run into the other.
I have found that food co ops are a good place to socialize and find like minded individuals Epiphany. After all , we all have to eat.Great conversations surround food.
This is a great idea, and I hope that with new economic times, bartering re-enters the picture.
It is rather sad and alienating to always use money as the sole means of exchange.
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