Pre empting noisy neighbour and asking them to keep it down?

dizziblonde

I see the selfish brigade are out in force getting their knickers in a twist over a SHORT TERM (she said it was for the Olympics/Paralympics only) request versus their right to have their kids screeching all day every day. I also liked the comment he should reschedule his shifts - quick someone call Boris and Seb and tell them to reschedule the Paralympics cos some guy on the internet says so!

For what it's worth - our neighbour made a similar request to us when we moved in - just to keep the inevitable moving in DIY etc to a little bit later in the day (we'd started at 10am) so his lad who does nights could get a couple of hours shuteye... it wasn't a problem - would rather he came and asked than sit there irritated for it to all come out in a resentful ball at a later date.

adouglasmhor

masonn wrote: »

I disagree.

I worked shifts and was on call for 28 years and I would never ask neighbours to be quiet so I could sleep.

I'm sure judging by the other replies that you don't agree but it does have a whiff of selfishness about it, the many being asked to sacrifice for the one.

It was a weekend, people's play time and for children, and some adults, that means being out and making some noise and letting off steam. We all have a right to that without being asked to keep quiet or made to feel guilty.

Why should we expect other people to tip toe about because we work shifts? They have a right to enjoy their time and make some noise if they want.

That's what ear plugs are for.

It is also the reason why shift work isn't suitable for everyone. Some people never get used to sleeping in the day but they should expect others to walk on eggshells while they are in bed.

I used to take my stepson to the park when neighbours were on nights. No hardship to me. OP did say her hubby was only temporarily on shifts having been called in to cover the Olympics and Paralympics. Also I think you mean "should not".

Mr_Toad

Fire_Fox wrote: »

So you think doctors and nurses who work nights are selfish, unnatural and abnormal? And you'd be happy to be treated by one who is chronically sleep deprived? What about police officers, soldiers, firemen, other hospital staff, care workers, people who clean the roads, repair tube and train lines? If the only people who worked shifts/ nights were those who slept soundly in the day we'd need conscription for all these work roles and we'd have to increase taxes to pay for all the unemployed people.

IMO it's a very selfish person who doesn't consider others and just make noise, or inflicts their breeding decisions on those around them. Why should your right to have fun trump someone else's right to restful sleep or peace and quiet? Don't you know any ways to have fun that aren't noisy? :eek:

Err... Did you miss the bit where I said I work nights?

I also make almost no noise at all. I do, however, defend the right of people to enjoy themselves and I don't expect them to be be quiet for mine, or anyone elses benefit.

As you say people have a right to have fun and not all fun things are quiet. I have never said that right trumps anyone elses right, however, this world we live in is geared up for the majority of people who sleep at night and work or play in the day.

Those of us who work nights are in the minority and I for one would never expect the majority to put themselves out for my benefit.

They don't use conscription, they use money, I get £9000 a year more than someone who only works days in my job. Many people want the extra money but are unsuited to shift work, over the years I've met many who never adjust and eventually have to give it up.

That money compensates me for sleeping when the rest of the world is awake and for working when the rest of the world is relaxing.

greenorange

My brother (who is 25) is also doing night shifts because of the Olympics (engineer).

I am only living with him (in our parents house) temporarily until I go back to university, however I was shocked that on Sunday, about 11am, he opened his window and shouted at the kids next door to be quiet as he was sleeping.

Our parents and my brother think the neighbours are disrespectful (as they know he is on nights).

I always thought I was from a different planet, as my brother cannot expect the world to be quiet during the day because he chose to work nights and that kids do make noises, scream and run around which is fine.

Apparently I have 'no idea what it's like to live with neighbours who have screaming kids and what it's like working in the real world'.

Roll on going back to university! The kids can run around and shout as much as they like on weekends during the day. I'll get myself some £1 earplugs if it bothers me.

FBaby

It all comes down to reason. There is a big difference with hearing children talking calmly, laughing nicely at times, the occasional extra noise etc.. and kids running havoc, shouting, screaming, screetching, bang doors, banging balls against walls etc...

We have neighboor kids who are just plain nosy and very annoyingly so. I wouldn't cope with my own children making that kind of level of noise, they would be told of in no time, but that's the thing, people have different level of tolerance.

There is a difference between asking someone to make no noise at all, and asking levels to be kept to reason so that with ear plugs, they indeed get some peace and quiet to sleep peacefully.

adouglasmhor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTGbkonesaI

pollypenny

I think you acted very well, OP. Obviously no offence take. However, it could become a problem if the nights were regular.

When OH worked shifts, I tried to keep the kids quiet, but he also wore ear plugs.

Mr_Toad

Idiophreak wrote: »

It's a selfish person who thinks other people should have to listen to their noise.

Ah, I see.

You have a right to silence but other people have no right to make a bit of noise.

Your view of selfish is anyone who doesn't think like you do.

It's much like smokers who think other people are selfish for not liking smoke puffed in their faces...I tend to take the view that whoever's doing the thing that's impacting on the other person's life probably is the one in the wrong.

A tad simplistic view. Nearly everything we do impacts on someone's life. I've never smoked and I don't like the smell but I feel that people who do smoke should have that right.

I've got a lovely home cinema system at home, but living in a flat, I've the sub turned right down and don't use the thing on loud. Now, should I just turn it up to the maximum, and when my neighbours complain say "you're so selfish...just because you don't like noise!"...sure that'll go down great...

Not so much selfish as hypocritical as you value peace and quiet so much yourself.

You seem to think that because you don't make any noise then others shouldn't either but children playing in their own garden is rarely going to be quiet and I personally would never ask their parents to keep them quiet during the day for my benefit.

I admire your restraint with your home cinema setup, there are plenty out there who would have it on full volume.

thatgirlsam

As another night shift worker I also think it is a little cheeky

I wouldn't ask my neighbours to be quiet just because I do shift work. It's an occupational hazard I'm afraid. People do have the right to make 'normal' noise in daytime hours!

thatgirlsam

Fire_Fox wrote: »

So you think doctors and nurses who work nights are selfish, unnatural and abnormal? And you'd be happy to be treated by one who is chronically sleep deprived? What about police officers, soldiers, firemen, other hospital staff, care workers, people who clean the roads, repair tube and train lines? If the only people who worked shifts/ nights were those who slept soundly in the day we'd need conscription for all these work roles and we'd have to increase taxes to pay for all the unemployed people.

IMO it's a very selfish person who doesn't consider others and just make noise, or inflicts their breeding decisions on those around them. Why should your right to have fun trump someone else's right to restful sleep or peace and quiet? Don't you know any ways to have fun that aren't noisy? :eek:

Would you really be ok with keeping quiet every weekend till the afternoon though? I take it you don't have children!

I know it was a one off for the OP and fair enough, but what if you lived next door to someone who did permanent nights?

All the nurses where I work who do nights are the ones who are able to sleep well in the day, or can cope well without too much sleep