I don't think the sign is rude, but agreed that I'd just ignore the lights. In fact, there is a new tenant across the building from me with super-bright lights and s/he never turns them off, either. At first I thought the apartment was vacant but I've seen people in there ... I don't get it, being a fan of super-dim (*cough* flattering) lighting myself, but different strokes I suppose.
If only I could do something about the goddamn door-slammers, but you know such idiots don't read signs.
Maybe EV Grieve readers could help me on a question of urban etiquette.
My wife and I have a new neighbor, with whom we share a wall running the length of our apartment. This would be fine except for the fact that he is the loudest stomper on the planet. It sounds like he's literally jumping off furniture every time he moves. It's like he's testing some kind of NASA moon boot or something. Last night I was awoken in bed at 3AM as he bounded UP THE STAIRS to the third floor. He slams his front door with a force that makes the entire building shake.
I've already knocked on his door in my pajamas to tell him to switch off the amp when he plays his bass guitar in the middle of the night. How do I tell him to quit walking so loudly (he's obviously oblivious to the fact) without coming off like an angry asshole?
Back in my former EV shitty apartment, the bedroom was in the rear and the window faced the shaft. The neighboring window was about, oh I dunno, five feet across from mine. At one point someone in there put up a huge halogen lamp. I had a blackout shade in the window but this light was so strong that it penetrated the edges, illuminating my bedroom way more than I would've liked. It happens. We are never alone here in manhattan, people get annoyed by their neighbors all day and night and sometimes you have to let them know what's going on. It's so easy to say live and let live that is until you're on the wrong end of some annoyance.
I've always found it's best to address the issues up front, in person and as friendly as possible. Sometimes new tenants, especially if in their 20's, 30's, aren't use to living in a residential building with long term tenants. I'd thank him for turning the bass down and let him know the walking and closing of doors seems loud too. Let him know the walls are thin and a little noise goes a long way. Better at least to talk to him up front rather than let it go on and at least make him aware and start a dialogue.
Hyperkenitic noise is the worst--had it in Park Slope. Once had a tread mill running neighbor in the apt. directly above me. Made my life miserable. I hate them.
@James Campbell Taylor: I'd take the face to face approach as dwg said. Maybe take a couple beers or something to his place and explain the situation to him. He's a musician, maybe play him a copy of Paul Simon's song, "One Man's Ceiling is Another Man's Floor." If neither of those work, the only possible solution left is to get him drunk and cut his feet off. Good luck!
We both tried talking to him at first, but if anything the situation's only worsened.
My wife's less-than-diplomatic approach is to drown his noise out with obnoxious bass-heavy music (sometimes with the speakers turned towards his wall).
I have that Paul Simon record but I fear the meaning would be lost on him...
All good advice. If direct confrontation doesn't work, I'd add that since this person is clearly nocturnal-ish, a little 8 am Saturday/Sunday morning Huey Lewis and the News blasting while he is likely hungover/on only a few hours of sleep might help him to realize how his actions are effecting your lives.
Also, talk to the landlord, and try to take some video/audio of the noise in your apartment. Landlords are bound by what's called the "covenant of quiet enjoyment", meaning it is their obligation to provide you with an ordinary apartment with ordinary noise levels. If another tenant is disturbing your use of your apartment, the covenant is broken, and it's the landlord's duty to cause the other tenant to stop using their apartment in a way which interferes with your use of your apartment (also sometimes called the tort of "nuisance"). Nothing like the threat of a rent strike - veiled or otherwise - to get the landlord to bring the hammer down on a problem tenant.
My new neighbor plays a variety of music throughout the week anytime she is home. We share a vent and a wall. It's not too bad on weekdays, except that I shower to her country music. But on the weekends it's everything from Justin Bieber to rap to Dolly Parton so loud it sounds like it's coming from inside my apartment.
I confronted her but she claims it's coming from the building nextdoor. Hmm funny how it was quiet for a week after that convo... Now it's gotten to the point where I have her playlists memorized and I know what torture is next.
I totally understand this sentiment, even though I'm not so sure about the letter part. It took me a week to realize the movie shoot that was going on above a neighboring rooftop was over, and the klieg was in fact the neighbors' new retina-searing table lamp that they leave on all night. Despite the fact that it is all the way across the courtyard, it burns a hole right through the double drapes and into my brain. Even when I'm sleeping, hence this posting at 1AM. BTW the Interpol crack was hilarious.:D
A lot of these stories remind me of my last apartment - there was always some sort of banging and crashing coming from the apartment above our living room. It was like living below some sick mash-up of the A-Team and the Monster Garage. A couple of times some of the bumps actually startled me while I was watching TV.... but then, I can look back on this and laugh now.
Last night I was dragged out by colleagues for a night of hard-earned debauchery. Returning home late, suitably enebriated, I duly passed out. Needless to say, as is becoming routine, about two hours later I was once again awoken by bigfoot slamming his apartment door.
I think I'm going to heed Anonymous' advice and begin blasting "Hip To Be Square" every morning!
21 comments:
That's just over-the-top rude. Live and let live a bit.
- East Villager
Boo. But that is just weird. Must b afraid of the dark.
Boo to "Your Neighbors" -- I think they should get some blinds and/or curtains.
I don't think the sign is rude, but agreed that I'd just ignore the lights. In fact, there is a new tenant across the building from me with super-bright lights and s/he never turns them off, either. At first I thought the apartment was vacant but I've seen people in there ... I don't get it, being a fan of super-dim (*cough* flattering) lighting myself, but different strokes I suppose.
If only I could do something about the goddamn door-slammers, but you know such idiots don't read signs.
Maybe EV Grieve readers could help me on a question of urban etiquette.
My wife and I have a new neighbor, with whom we share a wall running the length of our apartment. This would be fine except for the fact that he is the loudest stomper on the planet. It sounds like he's literally jumping off furniture every time he moves. It's like he's testing some kind of NASA moon boot or something. Last night I was awoken in bed at 3AM as he bounded UP THE STAIRS to the third floor. He slams his front door with a force that makes the entire building shake.
I've already knocked on his door in my pajamas to tell him to switch off the amp when he plays his bass guitar in the middle of the night. How do I tell him to quit walking so loudly (he's obviously oblivious to the fact) without coming off like an angry asshole?
JT
http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/
have you guys seen this?
Turn on the bright lights isnt really standing up to time very well, but is still pretty good when you are in the right mood.
Back in my former EV shitty apartment, the bedroom was in the rear and the window faced the shaft. The neighboring window was about, oh I dunno, five feet across from mine. At one point someone in there put up a huge halogen lamp. I had a blackout shade in the window but this light was so strong that it penetrated the edges, illuminating my bedroom way more than I would've liked. It happens. We are never alone here in manhattan, people get annoyed by their neighbors all day and night and sometimes you have to let them know what's going on. It's so easy to say live and let live that is until you're on the wrong end of some annoyance.
Mr. Taylor,
I've always found it's best to address the issues up front, in person and as friendly as possible. Sometimes new tenants, especially if in their 20's, 30's, aren't use to living in a residential building with long term tenants. I'd thank him for turning the bass down and let him know the walking and closing of doors seems loud too. Let him know the walls are thin and a little noise goes a long way. Better at least to talk to him up front rather than let it go on and at least make him aware and start a dialogue.
Hyperkenitic noise is the worst--had it in Park Slope. Once had a tread mill running neighbor in the apt. directly above me. Made my life miserable. I hate them.
@James Campbell Taylor: I'd take the face to face approach as dwg said. Maybe take a couple beers or something to his place and explain the situation to him. He's a musician, maybe play him a copy of Paul Simon's song, "One Man's Ceiling is Another Man's Floor." If neither of those work, the only possible solution left is to get him drunk and cut his feet off. Good luck!
Hey, thanks for the suggestions!
We both tried talking to him at first, but if anything the situation's only worsened.
My wife's less-than-diplomatic approach is to drown his noise out with obnoxious bass-heavy music (sometimes with the speakers turned towards his wall).
I have that Paul Simon record but I fear the meaning would be lost on him...
@James
All good advice. If direct confrontation doesn't work, I'd add that since this person is clearly nocturnal-ish, a little 8 am Saturday/Sunday morning Huey Lewis and the News blasting while he is likely hungover/on only a few hours of sleep might help him to realize how his actions are effecting your lives.
Also, talk to the landlord, and try to take some video/audio of the noise in your apartment. Landlords are bound by what's called the "covenant of quiet enjoyment", meaning it is their obligation to provide you with an ordinary apartment with ordinary noise levels. If another tenant is disturbing your use of your apartment, the covenant is broken, and it's the landlord's duty to cause the other tenant to stop using their apartment in a way which interferes with your use of your apartment (also sometimes called the tort of "nuisance"). Nothing like the threat of a rent strike - veiled or otherwise - to get the landlord to bring the hammer down on a problem tenant.
My new neighbor plays a variety of music throughout the week anytime she is home. We share a vent and a wall. It's not too bad on weekdays, except that I shower to her country music. But on the weekends it's everything from Justin Bieber to rap to Dolly Parton so loud it sounds like it's coming from inside my apartment.
I confronted her but she claims it's coming from the building nextdoor. Hmm funny how it was quiet for a week after that convo... Now it's gotten to the point where I have her playlists memorized and I know what torture is next.
I totally understand this sentiment, even though I'm not so sure about the letter part. It took me a week to realize the movie shoot that was going on above a neighboring rooftop was over, and the klieg was in fact the neighbors' new retina-searing table lamp that they leave on all night. Despite the fact that it is all the way across the courtyard, it burns a hole right through the double drapes and into my brain. Even when I'm sleeping, hence this posting at 1AM. BTW the Interpol crack was hilarious.:D
hey19, love the link!
A lot of these stories remind me of my last apartment - there was always some sort of banging and crashing coming from the apartment above our living room. It was like living below some sick mash-up of the A-Team and the Monster Garage. A couple of times some of the bumps actually startled me while I was watching TV.... but then, I can look back on this and laugh now.
Last night I was dragged out by colleagues for a night of hard-earned debauchery. Returning home late, suitably enebriated, I duly passed out. Needless to say, as is becoming routine, about two hours later I was once again awoken by bigfoot slamming his apartment door.
I think I'm going to heed Anonymous' advice and begin blasting "Hip To Be Square" every morning!
@James-
I agree- if talking doesn't work the next step is landlord who I hope is sympathetic.
dwg
I'm a big fan of these:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/63521113/red-vixen-sleep-mask-blindfold-with
I have no respect for people who leave notes. If you've got a problem with someone, you tell them to their face.
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