Noise Annoys, Rugrat Edition
The most frequent noise complaint real estate lawyer Stuart Saft hears nowadays concerns kids. “Fifteen years ago or so, it used to be that the noise complaints were all about loud stereo and TV equipment,” Saft is quoted as saying in a Times story about the pitter patter of tiny feet driving neighbors crazy. “Now…
The most frequent noise complaint real estate lawyer Stuart Saft hears nowadays concerns kids. “Fifteen years ago or so, it used to be that the noise complaints were all about loud stereo and TV equipment,” Saft is quoted as saying in a Times story about the pitter patter of tiny feet driving neighbors crazy. “Now it’s kid noise more than anything else, and I think it demonstrates the changing demographic of the city. You have more kids living in the apartment buildings, and parents who feel their children have the right to be children.” The story focuses on people like a Slope couple with two kids who try to keep their children from running around before 8 a.m. because their downstairs neighbor finds the tots’ noise “exhausting. Even my boyfriend doesn’t ever want to come over — it’s so horrible.” Another Slope mom says she “probably tried a little too hard” to keep her kids quiet and not upset neighbors when, at the end of the day, “They were not doing anything outrageous. They were just doing normal kid things. But small children, especially toddlers, have this clumsy flatfooted walk. It’s impossible to control.” The article says noise carries in a lot of prewar construction, especially in smaller buildings, and when apartments are renovated or combined, the end result is often the loss of some insulation. Some co-op boards install sound meters in apartments to determine if neighbors’ complaints are warranted, though the most frequent solution appears to also the most time-trusted when it comes to New Yorkers and their tight quarters: Compromise. “We do indeed walk on eggshells, and I find myself on tiptoes if I have high heels on, even when I’m not home,” says another Brooklyn parent.“I’m a trained monkey. But my 19-month-old is not.”
The Noise Children Make [NY Times]
Photo by Joey Harrison.
There is no excuse for modern parenting.
It is total chaos and “let the kid rule” mentality.
We shall see in the coming decade or two what kind of adults these coddled creatures make.
Kids need rules, they want rules, the acting up is a response to the absence of order and routine. Will these wild kids ever be able to study for a profesional exam? keep business meetings? do what the boss demands? Or will they be therapy lizards all their lives?
We’ve heard the Europe argument. Europeans are so much cooler than Americans for tolerating screaming brats in bars. But it has been determined that American grownups in American bars do not want American children in bars. So the European argument is now null and void. (however, a child with a cute European accent could have some monetary amusement value.)
4:17 These brawds today aint like mum.
4:17 – I dunno, maybe. But when I was little, my mom was in grad school and we ate out at the local cheapy Chinese restaurant on Broadway often. They took me to other places with them, as well. I was taught how to behave at restaurants, art openings, adult friends’ parties, etcetera, and did so. So I’m not sure it happens more now.
All the kerfuffle over kids in bars strikes me as pretty silly, too. In Europe, many generations hang out at cafes and pubs together. It’s pleasant. I hate the way life in America is so compartmentalized and atomized – I like hanging out with kids and with older people. Everyone has something to offer.
Yes, sure, we all eat out more often. And in Park Slope and environs (the part I’m familiar with), most of the restaruants are accepting and accomodating of small children (the owners, waitstaff, and other diners). Most have those wooden high chairs, and will stash a stroller to two somewhere if there’s no room for it near the table. They want the business, and there’s kids all over all the time. Other diners often enjoy interacting with the kids seated near them.
It isn’t the presence of kids that is a problem to most (I know, I know, there are some misanthropes to whom that is the problem, but I don’t think they are a majority in these neighborhoods – they are just vocal on blogs). Actually, kids misbehaving isn’t usually a problem for anyone anyway – execpt for the kids and parents involved. Some people have just pointed out that not all parents seem to be into teaching their kids to behave. It is those kids who are affected by this the most.
One observation I have, as a parent, (and human) is that it seems that today’s NYC parents eat out more often then when I grew up (in the city). It was an occasion when my or my friend’s parents took any of us to an “adult” restaurant/cafe. It was usually an event – someone’s birthday, graduation etc. Once in a while they would get sitters and go out without us. It seems that today’s young parents in the city eat out more, and therefore think nothing of taking their kids out with them more often. Anyone agree?
95% of all 311 complaints and quality of life issues would be SOLVED and be a non-issue if apartments, condos, co-ops, rentals – our homes were properly soundproofed.
And your resale value will be higher due to soundproofing.
3:20 – you are a liar – how would anyone know from a grainy video of these ‘horrible’ parents that it was your store – or that you took the video.
keep trying though – maybe someone will believe you
heretofore is jonathan lethem!