Final answer:
Being neighbors refers to living in close proximity, such as the same street or building, which often leads to forming a community with shared income and education. It does not guarantee a friendly relationship, as this requires interaction beyond mere closeness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Being neighbors primarily means living in proximity to each other, such as sharing the same street, living within the same apartment building, or being from across the street. This closeness allows neighbors to form a community, often with shared values and interests. For instance, people living as neighbors may include his next door neighbor, someone who lives three floors up in the apartment building, someone from across the street, but typically not his new postal delivery person, as this relationship is more professional than neighborly. Additionally, neighborhoods often consist of people with similar levels of income and education, contributing to collective behavior and the community aspect. However, being neighbors does not automatically imply a personal or friendly relationship; this depends on whether individuals engage in interactions beyond mere proximity.
It is also noteworthy that, due to proximity, people are more inclined to form relationships with those who live closer to them, as consistent contact facilitates the opportunity to get to know one another. Such relationships can stem from both conscious decisions, such as a woman preferring to walk on a block where she knows many residents, and societal structures, where collective behavior emerges from individuals attending the same local events or engaging in shared activities.