Saturday 22 May 2010

Loud music on a summer's day...

I arrived home from a Day School on Exam Preparation today to find my family out in the garden. Unfortunately 2 of the houses that overlook us ( not my neighbours I stress) were playing music really loudly. My husband and close neighbour told me that they had been playing the music all afternoon. Now... I don't mind the gentle sound of music in the distance, or the laughter of children playing... even the sounds of other families enjoying the sunshine... but I do get annoyed by music played at LOUD VOLUME!!!

I am not being a fussy prude here. The music was thumping from both houses and it was just ridiculous. I decided to go and ask them to turn it down - not off-just down. The first house eventually answered the door and let their big Staff out who jumped up at me.I asked them very nicely to turn their music down. I really mean that- I wasn't sarcastic or rude in any way. If anything I was apologetic. They said'ok' and I went to the next house.

The next house was inhabited by a gormless teenager who came to the door only when I jumped up and down infront of his window where he was sitting eating. He was wearing headphones to listen to something so was clearly unaware that his music was blasting. To give him his due he immediately turned the music off for which I thanked him.

Meanwhile house number 1 was still vibrating with the sound of some hideous rapper. I know that at this point I do sound a bit fussy... but I knocked again and asked (the mother this time) if they would mind turning the music down as we were trying to have a barbecue. I couldn't believe her reaction. She was obviously worse for wear, but ,mounted an attack on my children bouncing on trampolines and being noisy. Well... that would be fine if we had a trampoline, but we don't...

So I apologetically thanked her for turning it down and left. She clearly wanted an argument, but I was not going to get involved with a fat old drunk. I was determined to keep my dignity!!

They did not turn their music down for some time, but have now done so. I just wonder why some people are so inconsiderate? Is it their upbringing? I was taught to consider other people and would never dream of having music on at a level that could be heard by other people nearby... never mind a hundred metres away. And if somebody did complain to me about something my first reaction would be to apologise and stop whatever it was...

I wanted to tell her that she was a drunken old chav. I wanted to tell her that she was rude and ignorant... but I didn't. I was brought up to believe that manners count.

4 comments:

Julia Christie said...

ugggg. I often wonder about where the manners in our society have gone too. I start teaching my little ones practically from birth their manners, the way that I was taught. That doesn't mean I don't witness sooooo many children that have no idea how to behave themselves, and sadly, if you just look around for their parents, they aren't hard to find either.

Love the picture - 'Chav' is a new term for me and it's so appropriate!

Smiles

Gail said...

Maybe she will read the blog and rethink things.

Marlene said...

I'm afraid that there are just some people in the world that just believe they are all that is important and could care less how it effects others. Makes me glad I live in the country without any really close neighbors.

Nicola said...

Yuck! I know exactly where you are coming from and I hate confrontations like that, people are so ready to fight these days and just seem to pounce on you before you can get a word out. It's so frustrating as like you I was brought up with manners and to be considerate of other people. The only thing we can do in these situations I think is to take a deep breath. You did the right thing and kept your dignity, which is something she sounds like she doesn't have good on you! :0)