It's fall, which means the humidity has disappeared, the temperatures are comfortable, and I like to open the windows and let in the fresh air.
A month or so ago, a very nice family moved into the house across the alley. An Hispanic family. But today, I'm thinking not so nice, because...
They have their Spanish oompah-pah music going at a volume that means we all get to listen to it, whether we want to or not. And one of the guys out in the backyard has a booming baritone when he talks, adding to the unwanted noise pollution.
I'm glad they're enjoying their music, but what makes them think the rest of us want to spend our Sunday listening to this stuff, too? I've just had to shut the windows, it's that loud. Ugh. I hate inconsiderate behavior.
I'm suffering from a head cold today, which means I'm not feeling very charitable. I'm going to call the police, I think.
Update: Okay, Cele is right. I should have just walked over and asked them to turn down the music. But I didn't (see aforementioned comment about "sick," "cranky," and "not feeling...charitable.") Instead, I just shut the window, crawled into bed, put an earplug in my good ear, and took a nap. By the time I woke, the music had stopped.
Still, inconsiderate behavior ticks me off. So, how do you handle unwanted noise in your neighborhood, in sickness and in health?
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4 comments:
Maybe you might just asking them first to turn down the volume? Let us know how it turns out.
One of my Pasadena neighbors didn't like the music at our BBQ and called the cops. At 7:30 pm. They looked embarrassed to be there.
We would have gladly turned down the music had she asked. The passive-aggressive approach she took instead didn't exactly create a feeling of goodwill thereafter.
If your new neighbors (or you) are likely to be there a while, a polite "Could you turn the music down a bit?" would go over better than a squad car pulling up to their house. They may not realize it's loud enough that you can hear their music inside your house with your one working ear.
ME
Luckily, I haven't encountered this problem in a few years.
BUT- there's a crazy lady who lives on the street behind us. She's got three dogs and lets them bark themselves silly outside, even at 6 a.m. Fortunately our bedroom is in the front of our house and the dogs don't wake me, but I would hate to live next door to her.
I'm with you- be a considerate neighbor, especially when you live in such close proximity to others.
We've gone over and asked them very nicely to stop doing what they were doing.
They know my husband is a police officer, so they usually listen up.
Now, my brother around the corner has been having his fair share of loud music and party goers at his neighbors house ...
he's not having much luck.
He now calls the police.
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