topic Re: Odd Behavior in Community Chat

Odd Behavior

occasionalrain — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 03:42:40 GMT

I have a neighbor who sits on their front door threshold, morning, noon, and evening with the door fully open. They have a patio at the rear of their home so they have another option.

This is uncommon to me but is it common in other regions, other countries? I'm in the NE.

Re: Odd Behavior

on the bay — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 03:50:53 GMT

There's what called "front porch sitting."

Very popular in decades past and probably still is. The door used to be open to let in fresh air and cool the house.

It was also a place to congregate, play cards, snap green beans, watch kids and neighbors.

You don't get to see all the action on the back patio.

I don't know if that is her reason but it made me think of this right away.

Re: Odd Behavior

occasionalrain — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 03:56:22 GMT

@on the bay

There isn't any porch nor steps like in city row houses.

Re: Odd Behavior

on the bay — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 04:11:19 GMT

Oh ok. In the cities I've lived in there are. I don't know, maybe she's lonely or something?

Re: Odd Behavior

Desertdi — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 04:33:38 GMT

9:30pm in PHX...still 98°...NOBODY is sitting OUTSIDE

Re: Odd Behavior

Venezia — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 04:47:27 GMT

Maybe she's just someone who likes to people watch. Maybe she's lonely and it's her way of being part of what's going on.

I take it you never talk to this neighbor? Or you could just ask her.

Re: Odd Behavior

webbgarner1 — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:20:06 GMT

@occasionalrain Just a thought. Whe don't you walk over and ask her to come over to your stoop for a nice ice cold glass of tea, lemonade or on a chilly day a warm coffe or . Or bring her a little treat. Small gestures can lead to great conversations, and lasting friendships.

Re: Odd Behavior

avid shopper — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:24 GMT

I have been a porch sitter for 65 years!

Re: Odd Behavior

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:03:12 GMT

I don't know??? I would not be sitting on the threshold with the door open. Wouldn't you worry about letting in all kinds of insects? I would! Plus, usually you have the air running and why let in all the hot air??? If she has a large enouh area to put a lawn chair, I would think it would be better to do that. If she does this partially because this area fronts on an area where there is traffic and/or she can observe neighbors coming and going, maybe this is why she does this?

If she has a nice patio in the rear, I don't know why she would not use this area instead, unless it just looks out onto a yard and there is no traffic or people to see. To me, this is a bonus. I sit out on my back patio because it is generally more quiet. Not always, but at times!

Re: Odd Behavior

qualitygal — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 10:15:53 GMT

Just telling my husband how I got to thinking about my grandmother's front porch, the other day. Saw a woman setting in her screened-in porch and that's what brought the subject up.

Back when I was a kid, people would walk by, and both grandma and the person waved to each other. Easy, friendly days.

When I worked as a receptionist at one place, the maint. men would tell me how some of these (older/lonely) people would pull up a chair and talk with them, while they did repairs at the home of these seniors. Heard of one person once, who would call the time, when it use to be on the phone, to hear another person's voice.

I think we need each other.

Re: Odd Behavior

MaverDaver — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 10:23:20 GMT

Growing up it was what everyone did. Air conditioning was minimal and by the end of the day the house was hot. So after dinner we would "sit out front" well into darkness.

You would get to know your neighbors and oftentimes neighbors would congregate at a particular house. Sadly today many don't even know who their neighbor is.

Re: Odd Behavior

Desertdi — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:15:38 GMT

And the dog sat out with us, too!

Re: Odd Behavior

Biftu — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:28:37 GMT

I don't find it odd behavior at all. Those that don't have a front porch and live in a brownstone or row house sit on their stoop or front steps to get some fresh air and maybe interact with their neighbors. You don't need to be lonely to sit on your front steps.

The majority of people in my neighborhood have front porches and it's nice to see and talk with your neighbors during warmer weather. There are many porch parties here too. People started moving to their back decks or patios during 1960s or so when homes started having decks and they started sitting in the privacy of their back yards. People stopped interacting with neighbors as much.

Re: Odd Behavior

CalmInHeart — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:33:37 GMT

There is more to see by sitting out front. I sit out front with my dog (on a chain). A lot of people walk their dogs so I get to talk a little and my dog loves it.

I also sit on my back deck. It's great at 6am when the birds are chirping and animals are waking up.

Re: Odd Behavior

CalmInHeart — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:35:09 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
I have a neighbor who sits on their front door threshold, morning, noon, and evening with the door fully open. They have a patio at the rear of their home so they have another option.
This is uncommon to me but is it common in other regions, other countries? I'm in the NE.

Go over and introduce yourself and ask to sit with her for a minute. Maybe you'll become acquaintances or friends.

Re: Odd Behavior

Judaline — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:46:29 GMT

@CalmInHeart wrote:

There is more to see by sitting out front. I sit out front with my dog (on a chain). A lot of people walk their dogs so I get to talk a little and my dog loves it.

I also sit on my back deck. It's great at 6am when the birds are chirping and animals are waking up.

Whenever I hear the word 'chain' regarding a dog I cringe. Must you?

Re: Odd Behavior

shoptilyadropagain — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:04:58 GMT

I don't find it odd at all. It happens a lot in my small midwestern town although it's not as common as it once was. My dad used to get home from work, eat dinner and then go work in the yard or garden. Afterwards he would sit in the driveway (front porch was just a very small concrete slab) and drink an iced tea. The garage door would be open as he had some of his tools stored in there. Sometimes my mom would join him in the evening. As he got older and retired, the neighbor would join him. They'd "shoot the breeze", people watch, bird watch, etc. My dad and his neighbor are both in heaven now and the two families have joked that they're up in heaven sitting under a tree and people watching, etc.

Re: Odd Behavior

Meowingkitty — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:32:26 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
9:30pm in PHX...still 98°...NOBODY is sitting OUTSIDE

We have a couple of neighbors (2 different houses) who sit in their open garage for hours a day most of the year. I don't know how they stand it. It's to hot even in the morning. They have a portable swamp box and drinks. One has a couch and a couple of chairs the other one just uses lawn chairs. They sometimes play games like ping pong in the cooler months. They even watch tv sometimes. I see them as a good thing by being alert for the neighbors.

Re: Odd Behavior

Carmie — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:47:50 GMT

When I grew up, everyone did this. Sometimes my father would ask me to take a walk with him and we would stop and visits with friends for a few minutes along the way.

In my neighborhood now, a few people have front porches. They sit on chairs out front when the weather is good and some open their garages and sit on folding lawn chairs placed facing their driveways even if they have a back patio.

I never sit out front. Our house is on a corner, so I can sit on the back deck and see out into the street. I have recently purchased privacy/sun shades so I can close them if I am not interested in seeing my neighbor or having anyone from the street seeing me.

Re: Odd Behavior

gidgetgh — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:59:40 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
I have a neighbor who sits on their front door threshold, morning, noon, and evening with the door fully open. They have a patio at the rear of their home so they have another option.
This is uncommon to me but is it common in other regions, other countries? I'm in the NE.

@occasionalrainI'm a little confused about the word threshold in this case. Threshold is the doorway. She actually sits in the doorway, half inside, half out?