APAD: Good fences make good neighbors.

I used to take it literally. Sturdy fences marking the boundaries keep healthy

distances between neighbors so that they don't intrude on each other. Easy-peasy.

 

But recently, I saw it used figuratively in the local "Buy Nothing" Facebook

group:

    Good fences make good neighbors" as the saying goes. While we don't want to

    build barriers, respecting boundaries is essential to forming positive

    relationships...

 

The OP went on to talk about common-sense rules for interaction, e.g., "wait for

confirmation/consent before showing up to someone's home."