RE: Cold Turkey

"...I don't live in the sort of community you describe. I envy you for that..."

There are folks I provide services to, and those I don't. I choose to associate with good people, and I'm sure there's good people in Romania, same as anywhere. We create the communities we are in by our choices in whom we serve and accept services from, and I know you can create the community you want to be in by choosing well. If you anticipate blackouts or other disruptions, and I agree they seem likely, then having the goodwill of good people that will have your back at such times is even more important.

Where I grew up there was a tradition of greeting new neighbors with some home baked cookies. We can visit neighbors we don't know well, but would like to, with a plate of cookies, or a card, or offering to provide a service they might want. Some years ago I saw a guy I hadn't met renovating an old building he'd bought. I just drove over there with a leftover window I had and said I saw him fixing up the place and wondered if he could use it. Turned out to be a real nice guy, and he appreciated the window. That's how to create the sort of community you want to live in.