Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Are we less tolerant to noise? Neighbourhoods have always been noisy

103 replies

Fishareidiots · 26/06/2026 14:20

Just that really.
In generations gone by I expect everyone used their gardens much more as there was less on telly, plus they weren’t all at cinema, b&q, softplay, swimming. So what has changed?
why is it now that there are so many complaints about kids playing, chatting, sunbathing in bikinis, drinking alcohol etc.

OP posts:
BeOpalQuail · 26/06/2026 14:25

I think that many new build houses are built with very small gardens/yards so that noise is more intrusive. When I was young we didn't have trampolines or hot tubs and I don't remember hearing any noisy lawn mowers, hedge trimmers or jet washers.

BellaDinge · 26/06/2026 14:23

Because people are less nice to each other, so people want to avoid each other. Dyou remember when the neighbours would bring over a tray of tea for you if you’d just moved in? When people shushed their kids in order to respect adults?
all of that has gone, and treating people carelessly leads to lack of good will.

MathiasBroucek · 26/06/2026 14:22

Behaviour is worse. Partly because people have more opportunity (phone audio with no headphones) and partly because people seem more selfish (try visiting a cinema to see how much worse things are)