Guniness Stout

What do you do when someone offers you stout when you don't drink?

Slept the whole day, very tired, with the fever and all. At night, i woke up, feeling better, decided to go BP plaza. Met up with Aaron, Monique, Joshua, Stuart there. June, Yvonne and her BF came later.

Nothing much, just sat there, reading my book, joking, crapping around. And me and aaron finally end up at Aaron's house downstairs for a chat.

A van came in (we were just sitting beside the loading and unloading bay). An uncle came out, seeing Aaron's bandage, enquire about what had happened. Aaron reply that he met with an RTA, and the uncle enquire about his condition.

The uncle then told us he is staying on the ground floor. His house was just opp where i was sitting, and the stone bench and chairs that we were sitting were brought in by him. Me and aaron was very surprised. All along, we had though that the tables and chairs were HDB property.

We then chatted a bit and finally the uncle asked us if we want a drink. We declined his offer, but he went in, and came out with 2 cans of Guniness Stout and 2 mugs of ice. Me and aaron was shocked. I don't drink, and Aaron cannot drink. But the uncle had went back to his home.

Well, i was actually very paiseh. That uncle was very nice to us. Next time must buy something back for him and his family. In the end, we placed the mugs outside (he told us to leave them outside after finish drinking) with a thank you note, and each of us took our stout back.

Its good to have such a neighbour, (that uncle is aaron's neighbour), and its nice having a chat with him. I mean, how many of you out there does not know who your neighbour, does not greet each other in the lift?

I had been staying in this flat for about 18 years. I have seen my neighbours shift out, changed ownership for quite a few times. Some are good, some are cold. But bear in mind that we are living in the same block, and we should have a good relationship with them, coz in times of need, your neighbours are the ones that may come to your help.

I had read about lots cases whereby neighbours had quarrelled with each other, fights between neigbour, the famous incident being at Joo Chiat, the Dr Chan Soo Yin and her neighbours. (In actual fact, Dr Chan was my lecturer in Ngee Ann Poly, and was also my lecturer during my part-time degree course.)

So, next time you see your neighbours in the lift or in the corridor or even at the shopping center, take some time to greet them engage in some idle chatter. That way, we can learn about neighbour tolerance, can make new friends, and in case of emergency, you can rely on someone close by to render help.

Smile and greet your neigbours!!!