“Relax, It’s College”: Loud Neighbor Learns Lesson After Early-Morning Payback

We all have an idea of what a dorm/apartment neighbor from hell is. It’s the person who can’t keep their pets in line, cooks food that stinks up the entire hallway, and/or puts their speakers on blast at odd hours. 

A woman had to deal with the latter when the person living right next to her had the habit of playing music during the wee hours of the night. When she confronted the inconsiderate neighbor, all she got was a passive-aggressive, “relax, it’s college.” 

With no other choice but to deal with the matter, the woman did what many people would: exact petty revenge.

No one likes an inconsiderate neighbor

Person covering their face while lying in bed, disturbed by loud music from neighbor late at night.

Image credits: Daniel Martinez (not the actual photo)

This woman unfortunately had to live next to one who blasted music at odd hours

Text excerpt about loud music from a neighbor at 2 a.m. and a student’s petty revenge at 6:30 a.m.

Text describing a neighbor blasting loud music at 2 a.m. and student planning petty revenge at 6:30 a.m.

Text stating a student asked a neighbor politely around midnight to lower blasted music volume before a big exam.

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Text excerpt describing a student planning petty revenge after a neighbor blasted music early in the morning.

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Text describing a student’s petty revenge on a neighbor who blasted music loudly at 2 a.m., causing early morning tension.

Young woman with long blonde hair smiling slightly while sitting indoors, representing student petty revenge after loud music at 2 a.m.

Image credits: Giorgio Trovato (not the actual photo)

Her petty revenge plot worked like a charm

Text on a white background reads about late-night concerts stopping mysteriously after a week, implying petty revenge for blasted music.

Inherent individualism may cause a person to act selfishly among their neighbors

The author didn’t provide much of a background about her neighbor. A college dorm, for example, may encourage someone to act as if they own the entire place, especially if they are experiencing living on their own for the first time. 

“There are inevitably people (or neighbors) who can only see things from their point of view – what is best for themselves,” communication scholar Dr. Beth Ribarsky told Bored Panda. 

Holistic therapist and parenting coach Blanka Molnar shared a similar statement, stating that a college dorm dweller may either have a “Life is a party! Carpe Diem!” mindset, or embody attention-seeking behavior in a bad way. 

Being clueless about how your behavior affects others is also a factor, according to Santa Clara University professor Thomas Plante. This could very well be the case in this story, given the person’s response after being confronted.

But what exactly drives a person to act in such an unbecoming way? Apart from the low-hanging fruit assumption of a likely narcissistic disorder, Molnar points to a few possible factors: the lack of conscious parenting, attention-seeking behaviors as a trauma response, or simply playing out a “rebel” archetype. 

Effective and clear communication is always a good first step

Image credits: Gabriel Ponton(not the actual photo)

All three experts agree that talking it out with the nuisance neighbor would be the first sensible step. However, Molnar took it a step further: have the person open up about what they could be dealing with. 

“You can have a chat with them. Not about why they are blasting music, and definitely not at 2 a.m., but about what’s going on in their life,” she said. 

Plante offered a similar suggestion through a friendly comment, a compliment, or even a smile to disarm their defensiveness. He also urges offering polite corrective feedback and requesting a behavior change while ending with a supportive statement. 

“When confronting an inconsiderate neighbor, it is important to act in a way that avoids defensiveness on their part,” Plante noted. 

Of course, such an approach won’t always work. Acts of kindness aren’t always a practical approach. In such situations, a bit of pettiness may be warranted, according to Molnar. 

“If they do not want to open up, live your life a little bit louder too when they would like to sleep,” she said. “It’s a passive-aggressive way, but some people just do not understand the ‘gentle way.’ At least you tried.”

The woman’s petty revenge wasn’t harmful or hurtful, and she effectively conveyed her message. Her satisfaction was understandable.

People in the comments had nothing but praise for the author

Reddit comments praising a student's petty revenge on noisy neighbor for blasting music late at night, highlighting creativity and humor.

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Reddit user comment about music blasting at 2 a.m. and approving a petty revenge plan by a student at 6:30 a.m.

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Others shared similar experiences

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Screenshot of a user story describing petty revenge by blasting music at 6:30 a.m. after neighbor blasted music at 2 a.m.

Student's petty revenge on neighbor with blasted music by miswiring a plug to trip the fuse and cut power early morning.

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Neighbor blasted music at 2 a.m., so student played loud dog barking on speakers at 6:30 a.m. for petty revenge.

Screenshot of a Reddit story about a neighbor blasting loud music at 2 a.m. and a student’s petty revenge at 6:30 a.m.

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Student gets petty revenge on noisy neighbor blasting music at 2 a.m. by setting off car alarm early morning.

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Reddit post discussing a student’s petty revenge after a neighbor blasted music late at night in a dorm setting.

Text post describing a student’s petty revenge with a car alarm after neighbor blasted music late at night.

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