What to do about noisy neighbors

65

By catweazle

Dealing with Noisy Neighbors

The Universe can be very cruel. How else can you explain the fact that I uniformly end up living next door to the noisiest person or group of people in any given building, especially considering my abnormal predilection for peace and quiet? I've lived across the hall from brash British youths with a love for punk rock, next door to four boys whose interests include drinking, drinking, listening to Meatloaf and banging on things, and in a hall full of shouters and door-slammers. As such, I've accrued a lot of experience in dealing with noisy neighbors. Here are some dos and don'ts:

Do

-Invest in a nice pair of noise-canceling headphones

-Master the art of the timid knock and "I'm so sorry to bother you, but I have to wake up early tomorrow and the music is a little loud..." (this works especially well if you're a girl and the offending neighbor is a boy; copious batting of the eyelashes and skimpy pajamas can only help)

-Keep your RA (if you're a college student) or building manager (if you're not) abreast of the problem should your courteous attempts fail

Don't-Back down. You have the right to live in a peaceful and comfortable environment.

-Lose your temper (I speak from experience on this one; I once got into a shouting match with a noisy neighbor that only exacerbated the situation)

-Fight noise with noise. Although it may be tempting to blast loud, angry music to try to drown out your neighbor's noise, all it will accomplish is making you look like a hypocrite if you should confront him/her in the future.

Next time your neighbor decides to host a heavy metal singalong party or a tap dancing class, consider some of these tips (and good luck!).

Comments

Kat07 profile image

Kat07 4 years ago

The headphones have been suggested to me before, but I can't see them staying on as I turn a lot in my sleep. And I'm a light sleeper, so if they come off the next noise is going to wake me. Do you have any to suggest that will stay snug and in place?

catweazle Hub Author 4 years ago

I would recommend headphones that hook around your ears. I know that Sony and Phillips both make them. They don't have an annoying plastic band; just the earpieces themselves and cords. The only drawback is that they tend to get a bit tangled.

Cee Jay 2 years ago

a friend of mine placed two big speakers on his deck and played allowed the 9th symphony on sunday morning. When the party neighbours turned up to complain for lack of sleep.His answer was "I play my music in respectable Hours when everyone is awake". Funny He no longer had any problems.

leon 2 years ago

Glock 19 with Cor-Bon DPX 9MM+P 115GR - double tap to chest or head

Guaranteed to work. Downside is possible life sentence.

just kidding. although it is tempting at 3:30am when they just won't quit!

Margie 21 months ago

I was wondering about finding another way to deal with noisy neighbors. It's really a health issue, lack of sleep, hearing damage, etc. In many places there are fines for violating health and safety issues, ie. unsafe working conditions, driving without a seatbelt, running a red light, that kind of thing. What if a fine was levied on each violation of the noise ordinance law? It would bring money into our cities, and if the noise makers,(especially the "I'll crank it up louder loser" variety) have to pay $100 every time the police or landlord has to be called on them, I'll bet they'll start respecting the health of their neighbors.

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