To think this was incredibly rude?

[CesareBorgiasUnicornMask]

Just moved into new flat yesterday. Today ds has discovered that one of his trucks makes a lovely rumbling sound on the floor and has been pushing it about constantly. I briefly wondered if it was too noisy then thought as we're ground floor there wouldn't be anyone it could bother.

Then as DS and DH were going out for lunch with mil earlier (so front door was open) a random woman just strode in, didn't introduce herself at all, pointed at ds and his truck and said 'That has to stop - it's horrendous. I'm upstairs and it's a terrible noise. I'll complain if it carries on.' Then just walked out again .

I have no issue, obviously, with being told it's too noisy. I'm sorry we disturbed her and it really didn't occur to me that the noise would carry upstairs - and we'll stop DS doing it amd be more careful now we know noise does carry up. But who the heck just walks into a new neighbour's flat and barks at them like that?! Feeling slightly nervous about living here now!

When at my previous house my small granddaughter and my dog were playing in the kitchen - laughter and barking. The neighbour ACROSS THE ROAD complained it was giving his wife a headache! Admittedly it was a small single track road, but still... The Environmental Health dept rang me. They thought it was quite funny when I explained just how far away we were from the headache lady.

Today ds has discovered that one of his trucks makes a lovely rumbling sound on the floor and has been pushing it about constantly. I briefly wondered if it was too noisy then thought as we're ground floor there wouldn't be anyone it could bother.

This is quite important. You did think yourself it was too noisy and the fact it was constant with no let up probably didn't help.

However yes she was rude and has gone about it the wrong way.

Well I would never make any unnecessary noise to annoy a neighbour like that but I certainly wouldn't be going to extra mile to keep her happy.

As you have bought the flat, could you see about improving the sound insulation?

I have a neighbour upstairs who is really unpleasant to anyone who makes noises that annoy her, even during permitted times. (My building is well soundproofed so I've never had a complaint). But that didn't stop her getting workmen in at a six thirty in the morning to start banging away and calling my dd a lazy sod for asking them to let her sleep.

I agree that she was incredibly rude, but, take it from me, having downstairs neighbours can be as noisy as having upstairs ones! We're on the middle floor and we hear more noise from the family downstairs - all day, every day, and especially bad at the weekend, than we do from the guy upstairs.
Cupboard doors are never closed quietly, or that's how it seems, you can hear their kids screaming every bloody weekend - we never get any peace and quiet, and, if we could afford to move, we would!

So, although your son has every right to play with his toys, I think you should be aware that the noise certainly does travel. The way she went about telling you was very wrong, but, I just wanted to you understand that all noises travel and when it's every day, it's annoying to say the least!

"Hmmm. Sorry, but my child is playing reasonably with his truck during daylight hours. I'm sure you'll get used to it. Besides, it will help prepare you for the newborn we'll be adding to the family this summer." Smile sweetly.

Suggest they get thicker carpets or more throw rugs as well if they don't like normal levels of noise.

I'm trying to picture it.

Did she step into the hallway that you were all standing in because your dh was off out?

Or did she literally barge into your flat? Right into it, I mean?

Because I think they're very different scenarios and wouldn't view the former as badly as the latter.

If you knew the toy was very noisy, and he was playing with it continuously as you say, I can see why she'd be irritated. Perhaps she could have gone about it better, but you see lots of PP talking about nipping this in the bud and maybe that's what she thought she was doing!

Of course, your child is allowed to play! And a crying newborn is vastly different to a noisy toy so that's not really an issue...but if I could reduce unreasonable noise to keep my new home drama free, I would.