How well do you know your neighbors?

So I was checking my livejournal :shame: and on the front page there was this "writers block" question. It asked "how well do you know your neighbors" and I thought to myself, 'That'd be a good topic for general discussion'. Used the search feature, and didn't find anything, so here goes.

I find it rather wierd that I am less acquainted with a person who lives on the other side of a foot wide brick wall than I was with the people who lived half a mile away down a dusty gravel road. When I still lived in rural Manitoba, I knew everyone who lived within a 10 mile radius. I'm not talking about a "pass them in the store and simply say hi" kind of acquaintance either. This was a "hey, I heard you were sick the other day" and "how's your mother doing after that horse kicked her?" kind of acquaintance. Everyone was friendly, and we all knew each other. Now, I live in a 3 floor apartment building, with about 20 apartments per floor. I know that there is some blonde chick with a kid, and some old lady as well. Also, there is a partially balding man that owns the old rusty truck that is always parked outside. But I'll be damned if know their names. It's not even for lack of trying either. I'll say good morning as I hold the door open for someone or simply pass them in the hall. I'll say "hey, hows it going?" if they happen to say hi as I pass them. But they just avert their eyes and keep going. Everyone in my apartment building seems to be afraid to be friendly. I know some people in the building across the street better. This one guy who always sits at the same bustop as me during the winter on the way to school. Me and him have alot of conversations. His name is Brent.

So how well do you know your neighbors? Do you try to meet your neighbors? Do you hang out with your neighbors much?

Jam it back in, in the dark.