I've had my fair share of strange and even scary neighbors in my 12 years of living abroad. I have always lived in apartment buildings and we all know that having neighbors next to you is part of the deal..
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Once I had a neighbor that put crazy glue in my keyhole. It was the nasty kind of glue which some locals said was called "crazy glue" or epoxy. One evening, coming back from work, I tried to open the door by using the key but for some reason I could not insert the key because it was totally sealed. I had to call for help to get in and it was really a scary thought that someone actually took the time to do this to me. Later on, I would find out that it was the old lady living next to me because one time, after having a few girlfriends at my house I received a knock on my door from that woman complaining of our noise. Our group is by far not the rowdy kind. We are after all ladies in our late 20's to 30's. Not exactly the kind who would be that noisy? (Or not?) The next day I would get the glue again. So that is how I figure out it's her. But anyways, this happened more than once. One time, I was vacuuming and it was like Saturday at 10am with a little bit of music and next thing you know I opened my door and it's the police! I am sure the police was surprised to see a young lady alone on a Saturday morning and no loud wild parties with stoned or drunk guys. This glue incident happened quite regularly that I decided to move to another building. It's pretty sad because the lady looks like your typical old grandma, who walks with a cane and limping. She lives alone. Quite sad.
The next time it happened, a few years after in a new apartment complex. I received knocking and angry complaints from a lady of the same stature and age. Also living alone. But you know this time, at least I did not get the crazy glue. I figured this might have been my fault somehow because I worked at home and listened to music a bit loudly so I took a different step. I sent her a card I think one Easter with an apology. You know that did wonders. She warmed up to me instantly and even helped me out when I was trying to sell my stuff before I moved to the Netherlands.
Several other minor irritating incidents include the neighbors who love to cook curry dishes. I don't blame them for that. I mean I love to eat these kinds of dishes but to smell them day in and day out and our exhaust fan was not helping I had to do something. Using the aluminum foil I had in the cupboard I sealed my exhaust permanently. I think that also helped me seal myself against my other chain-smoking neighbor. Second-hand smoke kills and I take my health seriously.
And of course, I had my share of the sex - maniac neighbors. Well, I am happy for them -- they are getting laid after all! Good for them! But to have the whole 3 floors hear them moaning and groaning and shouting is another thing. Sometimes, I even feel my own bed vibrate.
Last but not the least is what my hubby and I call the "IKEA Club". Our upstairs neighbor seems to be running a drill a minimum of twice a week at different times. This has been going on for 2 years. We have a few theories: (1) the IKEA man is a regular carpentry hobbyist (2) The neighbors above hold regular IKEA assembly club meetings in their apartments (3) The IKEA guy has a fetish for wood and drilling and (4) The drilling sound is not really drilling but grinding something (I leave that to your imagination).
And if you want to know, I do plan (wish) on buying my own single detached house one day. The question that is left to be answered is where.
The next time it happened, a few years after in a new apartment complex. I received knocking and angry complaints from a lady of the same stature and age. Also living alone. But you know this time, at least I did not get the crazy glue. I figured this might have been my fault somehow because I worked at home and listened to music a bit loudly so I took a different step. I sent her a card I think one Easter with an apology. You know that did wonders. She warmed up to me instantly and even helped me out when I was trying to sell my stuff before I moved to the Netherlands.
Several other minor irritating incidents include the neighbors who love to cook curry dishes. I don't blame them for that. I mean I love to eat these kinds of dishes but to smell them day in and day out and our exhaust fan was not helping I had to do something. Using the aluminum foil I had in the cupboard I sealed my exhaust permanently. I think that also helped me seal myself against my other chain-smoking neighbor. Second-hand smoke kills and I take my health seriously.
And of course, I had my share of the sex - maniac neighbors. Well, I am happy for them -- they are getting laid after all! Good for them! But to have the whole 3 floors hear them moaning and groaning and shouting is another thing. Sometimes, I even feel my own bed vibrate.
Last but not the least is what my hubby and I call the "IKEA Club". Our upstairs neighbor seems to be running a drill a minimum of twice a week at different times. This has been going on for 2 years. We have a few theories: (1) the IKEA man is a regular carpentry hobbyist (2) The neighbors above hold regular IKEA assembly club meetings in their apartments (3) The IKEA guy has a fetish for wood and drilling and (4) The drilling sound is not really drilling but grinding something (I leave that to your imagination).
And if you want to know, I do plan (wish) on buying my own single detached house one day. The question that is left to be answered is where.
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