

Human: I have a neighbour who insists on playing Brahm's Lullaby constantly on a ukelele and it's honestly driving me insane. I really need to maintain this relationship because she is always helpful in many ways. She waters my pats and collects my mail while I'm working away and always helps when there are any house projects I need to get done as she is super handy. How do I tell her to please, shut up without upsetting the apple cart?

Assistant: I feel for you! Hm, it's such a delicate balance, to recognize the value of a relationship even if it causes some annoyance or stress. I can't tell you exactly how to phrase it. But you could say something like: 

"I need to live here and I want to be nice to you, but there are times I need a break and I can't have that right now. Maybe you could keep playing but in a less noisy place or time?"


Human: I have a neighbour who insists on playing Brahm's Lullaby constantly on a ukelele and it's honestly driving me insane. I really need to maintain this relationship because she is always helpful in many ways. She waters my pats and collects my mail while I'm working away and always helps when there are any house projects I need to get done as she is super handy. How do I tell her to please, shut up without upsetting the apple cart?

Assistant: Hmm, you could tell her you are getting noise complaints from other neighbors. Or you could ask her to play the song at her place instead. Have you tried setting a timer so it doesn’t play for long, or only plays certain times of day?
I have a neighbour who insists on playing Brahm's Lullaby constantly on a ukelele and it's honestly driving me insane. I really need to maintain this relationship because she is always helpful in many ways. She waters my pats and collects my mail while I'm working away and always helps when there are any house projects I need to get done as she is super handy. How do I tell her to please, shut up without upsetting the apple cart?
I feel for you! Hm, it's such a delicate balance, to recognize the value of a relationship even if it causes some annoyance or stress. I can't tell you exactly how to phrase it. But you could say something like: 

"I need to live here and I want to be nice to you, but there are times I need a break and I can't have that right now. Maybe you could keep playing but in a less noisy place or time?"
Hmm, you could tell her you are getting noise complaints from other neighbors. Or you could ask her to play the song at her place instead. Have you tried setting a timer so it doesn’t play for long, or only plays certain times of day?