Neighbor, neighboring

Neighbor: etymology: "near dweller" So how do we define neighboring? Perhaps it is the act of interacting with other near dwellers? I say it is the informal social behaviors (including annoying and negative actions) between and among individuals and/ or groups on a scale they consider near--the next door neighbor, your side of the street, the block, the neighborhood unit (1/4 mile radius).... An incredible story of neighboring is presented on French Word-A-Day preceded by an equally insightful quote by Octavio Paz: All cultures are born out of mingling, meetings and clashes. Conversely, civilizations die from isolation. Now read the story at http://french-word-a-day.typepad.com/motdujour/2006/02/choc.html