Here's why:

* Location on the Periodic Table: Neon is located in Group 18, the noble gases, which are all non-metals.

* Properties: Neon is a colorless, odorless, and inert gas at room temperature. These are characteristics of non-metals.

* Electronegativity: Neon has a high electronegativity, another characteristic of non-metals.

Metals, on the other hand, tend to be shiny, malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity. They also have low electronegativity.