It was 1985. Mdm Agnes Tan was 33, and had just moved into her first marital home, an executive maisonette at Hougang Ave 8.
Thirty-seven years on, Mdm Tan, now 70, is still living there. She has made firm friends with her neighbours, some of whom have lived in the same block as her for at least 20 years. One of the neighbours is Ms Rajeswari Sinkaram, 48, and her family, who live in the unit next to Mdm Tan’s.
Ms Rajeswari said: “From exchange of greetings to long conversations, our friendship was built here.”
And the good friends look out for one another.
“Whenever I walk past Agnes’ house, if her door is open, I will peek in to make sure that she is okay,” said Ms Rajeswari.
Once, Mdm Tan saw Ms Rajeswari’s daughter locked inside her home. She quickly helped to call a locksmith and stayed with the daughter till everything was settled before she went about her day.
Also, whenever Ms Rajeswari’s family is away for an extended period of time, Mdm Tan will pop by their home to water their plants.
“Once, we even came home to a completely new shoe rack with our shoes neatly arranged on it,” Ms Rajeswari recalled. “Agnes also makes sure our shoes are kept dry during corridor washing.”
Another of Mdm Tan’s neighbours is Mr VP Sree, 71, who moved in about the same time as Mdm Tan.
Mr Sree said of Mdm Tan: “We are very close. She takes care of my plants and laundry. Sometimes, she brings me food. Other times, she and her husband will drop by for coffee.”
When asked to give tips on being a good neighbour, Mdm Tan said: “Always be cordial. Say ‘hi’ whenever you see your neighbour. When you make an effort to know them, your conversations will move beyond ‘hi’, and a new friendship will be born right at your doorstep.”
She added: “Whenever there is conflict, be consultative, not aggressive. Try to put yourself in your neighbours’ shoes and learn to listen.”
Last but not least, “always help out whenever you can”.
Chinese
住在后港8道的陈有卿（70岁）平时与邻居和乐相处，还在邻居出远门时帮忙照看房子，与他们建立起深厚的情谊。她分享了三个维持良好睦邻关系的贴士：看到邻居时说声“你好”、出现分歧时学会倾听和沟通协商，及在邻居有需要时尽力帮忙。
Malay
Penduduk Cik Agnes Tan, yang menjalin hubungan baik dengan jiran-jiran, berkongsi 3 petua untuk menjadi jiran yang baik: Menyapa dengan kekata ‘hi’ setiap kali bertemu jiran, sedia berunding dan belajar mendengar setiap kali timbul konflik, dan saling membantu sekiranya mampu.
Tamil
அண்டைவீட்டார்களின் நல்ல நண்பராகத் திகழும் குடியிருப்பாளர் திருவாட்டி ஆக்னஸ் டான், நல்ல அண்டைவீட்டாராக இருப்பதற்கான மூன்று குறிப்புகளைப் பகிர்ந்து கொண்டார்: அண்டைவீட்டாரைப் பார்க்கும் போதெல்லாம் “வணக்கம்” சொல்லுங்கள், சர்ச்சை எழும் போதெல்லாம் ஒவ்வொருவரையும் கலந்தாலோசித்து ஒவ்வொருவரின் கருத்துகளையும் கேளுங்கள், உங்களால் முடியும் போதெல்லாம் உதவி செய்யுங்கள்.
