Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Cohousing news coverage/ violation of privacy

[Rob Sandelin (robsan]

Jim Snyder-Grant Mentioned several points about home vs. the cohousing 
movement which prompts me to make an observation that living in 
cohousing is sometimes like living in a zoo.  People come and intrude 
in your neighborhood, take pictures without asking, etc. etc.

We had someone over the weekend shooting video out a car window as they 
drove by and I felt very annoyed by this.  I suppose this is part of 
the package of being different but it is still rude to drop in 
unannounced and uninvited.  I have done over a hundred tours of my 
community and I enjoy taking people around and showing them what we 
have accomplished and sharing our goals.  I resent people who just show 
up and wander around, and frankly most my neighbors do also and folks 
often get a abrupt inquiry as to what their business is.

One of the drawbacks to media exposure is that it can increase the 
numbers of people showing up and wandering around.  I know Winslow had 
a period where this was a problem, and I am sure other groups have had 
similar experiences.  In a cohousing neighborhood a stranger really stands out.

In the handout materials for the Puget Sound Cohousing Network I list 
etiquette for visiting.  Maybe this should be spread wider via the 
journal.  It is not OK just to walk in, unannounced and uninvited into 
peoples homes.

Sorry for the rant

Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood.