Crash Course in Making Friends Needed

Here's the deal. We're leaving here in May. There's no firm plan on what to do with the house. There is a military Canadian family renting from mister mrtl's old coworker across the street; maybe they have some military Canadian coworkers to whom we could rent and let the house ::knock on wood:: appreciate some more before selling; maybe we could make big money now and just sell it. Research necessary there.

::tangent on renting::
"But mrtl," you ask, "why only rent to the Canadians? A property management company could help with that!"

Been there, done that, and would rather avoid it again, thankyouverymuch.
::end tangent on renting::

We don't know the Canadians across the street. They moved in while we were in Maryland. I saw the guy once at the mailbox, but I'm such a social retard I gave up trying to talk after I got all jumbled asking if he was renting from whatshisface and my husband worked with him. ack I'd feel even more awkward approaching them outright with a request to pimp our house. I would think that Canadians operate much like Americans in this situation; it would be more appropriate to befriend them, soften them up. You know, social foreplay.

Other than the failed mailbox encounter, I've only seen the Canadians outside once. There was a dinky little snowman after a dusting we had last week, and it struck me as amusing that the tall guy I had seen could have done it. It was almost a relief to see they have kids (I'm assuming there is a "they" since I just saw the kids outside). I was heading in at the time, a bad time to run over and try to make more awkward smalltalk, so I passed up that opportunity. They were older kids, boys. Playdate not in the future.

It would seem that in order to fulfill the mission to make friends with these Canadians I'm going to have to create my own opportunity. How? Maybe I should be asking Kranki for a tutorial in how to approach a Canadian.

Comments

[William]

If the Canadian was Nilbo you could just show some leg...

Social Foreplay...what's firstbase?

[shari]

I think you start singing, "Oh Canada" and wave a maple leaf. Or is it, wear a maple leaf. I can never remember.

[Amber]

I would keep it strictly business. Just knock on the door with a cake or a pot roast and introduce yourself. You're fantastic and if that doesn't work then they're obviously aliens with no social/business sense!

[kalki]

We have lived here 4 years and we've yet to meet the people across the street. Well, it's a 4-lane highway - does that excuse us?

[Susie]

I've heard that you approach them thusly:
Do not make eye contact; glance obliquely. Slowly extend your hand, PALM SIDE DOWN! Tuck your fingers under and AVOID ANY WAGGLING of the fingers . . .
oh, wait . . . wrong species . . . never mind

[Hänni]

If someone wants to foreplay with me, they'd better buy me a drink first.

Margaritas MRTL? I'm sure Canadians like cold things.

[Von Krankipantzen]

Pie will get you an 'in' every time.

[Jana]

Well the only thing I know about Canadians I learned from Bob and Doug Mackenzie as a kid, so the only thing I can offer is back bacon (whatever that is) beer and donuts.

[Amy]

Ahem. Whaddya know i've been away for a while and I come on here to check what miss mrtl has been upta and here she needs advice about les Canadiennes! Of which I happen to be one.

Kranki's right. Pie. Or just a 'hi''. Or go out with the kids when their kids are out and let Bug do the hi'ing.