Class May 8
Warm-up: Discuss the questions
1. Does anyone in your community bother you? What are things they do which annoy you?
2. Is anyone in your community very loud? How do people feel about them?
3. Did you ever fight, either verbally or physically, with a neighbor? If not, have you heard of neighbors fighting?
Vocab
1. Unruly: disruptive
2. Irritating: something that bothers you?
3. Rambunctious: loud and annoying; usually said about children
4. to handle (something): deal with it in an effective way
5. to create, or make, an issue: to make a problem out of something
6. to intervene: get in the middle of something, get between two people
Bad Neighbors
Living in an apartment building or a neighborhood can be enjoyable, but sometimes people have problems with their neighbors. A bad neighbor can make daily life stressful. They may play loud music late at night, leave trash outside, or behave in an irritating way. Learning how to handle these situations calmly is important.
For example, some neighbors have unruly children who run through the halls, shout loudly, or damage property. Other neighbors may have rambunctious dogs that bark all day or jump on people. These problems can make it difficult to relax at home.
The first step is to stay calm and polite. Instead of arguing, try speaking to the neighbor respectfully. You can explain how the noise or behavior affects you. Sometimes people do not realize they are creating an issue.
If talking does not help, you can write a polite note or contact the building manager or homeowners’ association. In serious situations, local authorities may need to intervene. However, it is usually better to solve problems peacefully whenever possible.
It is also helpful to be a good neighbor yourself. Keep your own noise low, respect shared spaces, and communicate well with others. Good relationships can make a neighborhood safer and friendlier for everyone.
Discussion: Which one of these solutions is the best way of dealing with problematic neighbors?
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