Do you subscribe to the narrative from Robert Frost that "good fences make good neighbors"? Why or why not?

2017-01-28T12:21:24-05:00

I recognize the obvious implications associated with this question. Share any personal experiences or otherwise that may or may not be applicable.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jan 28 at 2017 12:24 PM

2017-01-28T12:24:00-05:00

Yes. Mutual respect and not imposing upon others without their permission is the soul of being a good neighbor.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 28 at 2017 12:50 PM

2017-01-28T12:50:45-05:00

When I first put up a stockade fence on one border it wasn't because they were a good neighbor, they were not. It did however build a privacy that was needed so in fact it was positive for both households. They didn't get along with anyone in the neighborhood. The other neighbor though. no fence was needed, it was like one big yard and our kids played together, We socialized together and were good neighbors and friends. In back of our house that neighbor had 90 acres of land and no buildings in view only woodland, never had a single problem with them ever. The less than desirable neighbor moved and no one missed them.that house has had 4 families in it after them. The others nothing has changed in almost 40 years except their kids and our have grown up, I hope they never move and it doesn't look like they will.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 28 at 2017 1:11 PM

2017-01-28T13:11:54-05:00

Ironically, CPT Private RallyPoint Member, Robert Frost's poem, Mending Wall, also questions the need for walls. This, from Wikipedia: "As the men work, the narrator questions the purpose of a wall 'where it is we do not need the wall'. He notes twice in the poem that 'something there is that doesn’t love a wall' but his neighbor replies twice with the proverb, 'Good fences make good neighbors'."

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Jan 28 at 2017 1:41 PM

2017-01-28T13:41:26-05:00

It depends on the neighbors and the amount of land. I can barely see through the trees to their house when the leaves are gone in the winter and not at all in the summer. So a fence isn't an issue.

I think the spirit was to keep your and their animals contained on the right side. In other words don't spill your problems onto them and don't let them spill theirs onto you and everyone will be happy.