| If they're not real jerks, it's sometimes a good idea to ask the neighbors to listen to to the volume level in YOUR apartment. I haven't QUITE done this, but I *have* been very specific about why I thought it was too loud: "I cannot hear the person on the other end of the phone conversation" "I cannot hear my own stereo set at volume level 5 even though it is 8 inches from me" I have also said, to one guy, "I don't want you to turn it OFF; I want you to turn it down." I even said to him, "I don't mind hearing some of your music through the wall--but I need to be able to talk on the phone." To the bridal-shower hostess (who was normally VERY quiet), I said, "I don't mind hearing your music bleed through the wall, and I understand it's a special occasion, and I want to you know I enjoy living next to you. But I just want to be able to HEAR my own stereo." In both situations, they responded, I think because my explanation was so specific--that idea that I could not even HEAR my own stereo or phone hadn't occured to them. |