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07/16/2014
Annoying neighbors can range from noisy to rude to just plain creepy. Here are some tips for dealing with an un-neighborly neighbor:
- First, ask yourself if you're being reasonable. For example, let's say you work the graveyard shift and sleep during the day. You can't fly off the handle at your neighbor's kids for playing outside. Kids are supposed to laugh, yell, scream, and have fun. Get some noise-canceling headphones and go back to sleep.
- Once you determine that you are being reasonable, you have to specify in your own mind what the problem is and how often it occurs. Then, find out the laws and rules of your building or community. There are codes and ordinances in every town and city, so educate yourself about what's legal and what's not.
- If your neighbor isn't doing anything evil or illegal but is just being annoying, approach them first by bringing over a plate of cookies. This may sound stupid, but it's not the typical person who meets cookies with hostility. If you're having a problem, for example, with their obnoxious dog, tell them, "I came over with these cookies because I figured you have a lot going on with the dog. I have found that _____ works really well." In other words, you're coming over to be nice and helpful, not confrontational.
- If the cookies don't work, then you need to have a one-strike policy. Ask your other neighbors and find out if they're experiencing the same thing. Document everything. Keep a record of what the bad neighbor is doing, and if possible, film it so you have a time-stamped video.
- Go through the proper channels to get the problem remedied. (Landlord, housing authority, police, etc.)
- If all else fails, get out of Dodge.
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