Privacy
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When I first went to Japan, I found it fascinating
how so many people could get along in a small amount of space. For
example, if you take the subway in Tokyo during rush hour, you better
not be claustrophobic, as people are jammed in with you any way they
can. Fortunately, I'm tall enough where I can keep my head above the
fray and get some fresh air, but down below are Japanese pushed into my
navel (and just about everywhere else). Remarkably, as close as the
quarters are on the subway, the Japanese try to respect the privacy of
the people surrounding them. I've always admired the Japanese for this;
quite simply, there is great respect for the concern of others. Because
of the small amount of available space, I guess they really have no
alternative.
Contrast this attitude though to
the United States where we have a heck of a lot more space, but we
still have areas where people live in close quarters, such as apartment
buildings and condominium complexes. I recently had a reader complain
to me about a neighbor in her apartment building who was causing a lot
of trouble for the residents there, whereby he would be loud, knock on
doors in the middle of the night to wake people up, and generally be an
all-around nuisance. They tried to talk to him, but he disregarded
their complaints and continues on his war path. My reader asked me what
she should do about the situation.
First, you
have to recognize you are dealing with someone who is either immature
or socially dysfunctional, and such people can be dangerous as they
have no concern for anyone else but themselves, the absolute antithesis
of the Japanese culture. Second, find out the rules pertaining to your
apartment complex as written and attached to the lease or contract,
perhaps some governing documents. If such rules and regulations do not
exist, look up local government ordinances. Next, register a written
complaint with the proper authorities; in fact, get as many people as
possible to sign the complaint with you which adds more credibility to
your argument. Although you may want to take your complaint to your
landlord, in all likelihood, he will not care. From his perspective, an
obnoxious tenant that pays his rent on time is better than a quiet,
empty apartment for lease. In other words, you will have to register
your complaint with law enforcement officials.
When
your complaint is officially registered and the person is notified, he
will either be forced to conform or may become more belligerent. Now is
the time to keep a journal of any other incidents that may arise,
including pictures or audio if pertinent. Hopefully, the situation will
go away, but it may also erupt on a grander scale, whereby you end up
in court or be forced to move yourself.
Such
a situation is unimaginable in Japan. The neighbors would talk to the
person who, in turn, would become embarrassed and comply in order to
maintain harmony and not to lose face. However, in the "home of the
free," such a talk would only make the problem worse, not better.
There
are of course other alternatives, such as a baseball bat persuader, or
hire Nunzio "Three fingers" to have a little "chat" with the problem
child, but it is probably best to try legal alternatives first. Then
again, you could move to Japan, if you don't mind being squashed into a
subway car.
Such is my Pet Peeve of the Week.
Keep the Faith!
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About the Author
Tim Bryce is the Managing
Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA)
of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the
management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
Download Tim's eBook
(PDF), "The Bryce is Right! Empowering Managers in today's Corporate
Culture" (free DOWNLOAD).
Copyright © 2009 by Tim Bryce. All rights
reserved.
