Mine and Not Yours.

[RjCorazza]

Uhmm. I'd have to side with the wife also. Regardless of previous waves, perhaps the neighbor thought you were building the barn when he went over to chat. Can't very well get close, then simply walk away.
I personally want to know my neighbors, and would welcome a new neighbor coming over for an introduction. I know who I can count on, and who I'll offer help to when the need arises. The ones that want to be left alone are fine too, they just get left alone.

 

[Sigarms]

I personally want to know my neighbors, and would welcome a new neighbor coming over for an introduction. I know who I can count on, and who I'll offer help to when the need arises. The ones that want to be left alone are fine too, they just get left alone.

BINGO!

My wife and I were on a walk one day, and I called my neighbor because because we saw someone in his fathers barn up the road with a truck we didn't reconize parked by the barn. I got his voice mail and left him a message. He called me back about 30 minutes later thanking me (even though it was a false alarm because it was his uncle who stopped by) and his dad couldn't be more thankful enough when his son called him to tell him that we called, and that we took our time because we weren't certain who was there, and it was nice that someone was looking out for him.

We had a problem with a blue tick hound we "rescued" sometimes leaving our property and wondering. My neighbor up the road would call or text me if she saw him out. I sent her flowers after the third or 4th time thanking her, and she couldn't of been more grateful. Anytime I stop by her and her husbands place, we always end up talking for about 30 minutes on whats going on around the "neighborhood".

To me, this is what makes a neighbor "in the country".

I like knowing that I have neigbors that I can count on, and I try to be the same right back to them.

I felt bad kicking one farmer off our land because the previous agreement was he could raise his cattle on the back property. Found out from everyone years later the guy was a real butthole and I couldn't agree more.

 

[TheMan419]

First meeting.... give him the benefit of the doubt. Out here in the country a fast response from 911 is 10 min. Might need your neighbor in a pinch.

 

[Alan W.]

Quit frettin about it. Ifn there is going to be problems they will surface sooner than later.
My new neighbor from California stays behind a locked gate in his travel trailer most of the time. Rarely see him out but when I do talk to him its all good. He refuses all offers of help or water but thats his choice.
The other new neighbors from New Jersey were stuck in their field the other night so I pulled them out with the tractor. Seemed to be quite nice people.
Most of the time people aint gonna act or be like you. They may think your nuts. Im sure at times mine do about me.

 

[strantor]

The words you've conveyed do not describe anything that sounds rational to be upset about but there was something about the encounter that rubbed you the wrong way; an instinct told you that something about it was "off" or else you wouldn't be here looking for validation. These things can be notoriously hard to put into words. If I were you I would follow my instincts. I would keep a close eye on him. Maybe give him priority in getting to know the neighbors. If there's anything to be concerned about, you'll either get plenty of whiffs of confirmation, or quick realization that you've overreacted. Chances are, he's just not as cognizant of boundaries as you.

 

[Doofy]

I had much rather make a friend than make an enemy. I would go out of my way to be friendly to folks.

The Wife and I have been considering a move back to West Texas. 57 years in Alaska is enough, we've been thinking. Tired of the cold, darkness, exorbitant prices for everything, and lousy fruits and vegetables. We hope we would be accepted in to a new community or what's the point? We would bend over backwards to get along.

 

[Jstpssng]

The OP reminds me of my brother, who moved back to Maine after living in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado for 40 years. My father had just passed away and John thought that he had to keep everybody off the 30 acre family homestead. He put up No Trespassing signs and game cameras all over the place. He told me he wanted it to be known as "The place where the crazy man is running around with a gun." (And I"m supposed to be the black sheep of the family!)
The first person he ran off turned out to be a family friend, who also happens to be a retired cop.
It's taken him a couple of years but he's mellowing out and is starting to realize that people are different when they aren't crammed into the city like sardines.

 

[Jim Shooz]

So...you've been there 10 days or so and haven't gone over and introduced yourself.

 

[sodamo]

Guess there must be one in any neighborhood.
I met most of the near neighbors before even closing on the property. We are known as a pretty friendly neighborhood and even look after each other as far as observing anything strange, even checking after a severe event like a hurricane or earthquake. If I need help I can make a call or 2 and get it and reciprocate in kind. But we also mind our own business and privacy.
So a couple years back a new house gets built down the road and eventually a couple move in. A few attempts at introductions, invite to informal gatherings, even one of the older neighbors introduced self to tell them that if should they ever need anything, don’t be shy. Was told they didn’t need anybody. Apparently, we all hit a nerve, except his immediate neighbor. Makes you wonder why move to the country.

Maybe Chuck has just been working too hard, a bit overwhelmed? Relax and enjoy. Listen to the wife

 

[ChuckT]

Nope, nope, and nope.

The tree crew was here because we hired them not the neighbor across the street.
He was carrying, forgot to mention this, a chainsaw so we thought at first he was another worker.
I'm not a social bug as some are but then I'm not anti-social either.
In the brief conversation we had, rather garbled, he said something about having worked as part of this crew in the past.
I want to be friendly, I want to be neighborly. But that was a poor start on his part.
And if you are saying you don't mind people, neighbors or not, just wandering onto your property to treat it like it's their privilege to do so I cry BS, you are lying.