The condo where I stay, Grange Heights is on St. Thomas Walk, off River Valley Road.
Since the last two years, quite a few expats have rented the apartments and we found that the old residents and new expat residents were not mixing. Residents would also stand in the lift without even greeting each other.
So in December 2014, a few residents met and decided to have a potluck on a Saturday evening. A notice was put up on notice boards on all 3 blocks:
MAKE NEW FRIENDSCOME JOIN US ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 2014 AT THE POOLSIDE CLUB HOUSE. PLEASE BRING ONE DISH AND DRINKS.
12 families of different races and religions attended and some brought their children.
The food (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Jewish, Persian) was delicious. Those who came did not require much effort to make friends.
The party went on till 11 PM. Everyone exchanged email and agreed to hold another one after 2 months. Each family is to invite their neighbors at the next dinner.
The result? The residents now smile and greet each other in the lift and at the swimming pool.