Society etiquette for members in an Apartment Complex (Civic Sense please)

Living in an apartment is a whole lot different than staying in a stand-alone house or a bungalow. Unlike a independent house, in an apartment, there are dozens of families living apart from you. And therefore, it is imperative that you keep the comfort of others in mind too while enjoying your own when staying in an apartment. Often, people coming to live in an apartment for the first time find it hard to adjust to the slightly restrictive environment of apartments. However, it is vital for your own good as well as the overall harmony of the society that you follow some general etiquette while living in an apartment complex:
Keep the noise down

Noise if one of the most common irritants in a apartment complex; a apartment complex, understandably, has walls of different homes very close together, so the blaring sound from your stereo system can easily disturb your neighbour. Always keep in mind that while you may love your music, others have right to their sleep as well. Whether you are watching television or listening to your favourite number, keep the volume at a level which does not disturb others.

Inform beforehand about a party

In case you are having a party at your place, inform the other dwellers in the apartment building beforehand; ask them till when is it okay to keep the music blaring. Doing so helps in building a good rapport with the neighbours. A good rapport means that even if you cross the limits by chance, chances are that you would be politely told about it rather than inviting cop trouble.

Use the elevators appropriately

If you are living in a high rise, chances are that you would be using the elevator several times a day. However, while using the elevator, keep in mind that you do not keep the elevator waiting unnecessarily. If you waiting for your family or friends to come in and if they are taking too long, let the elevator go; after all, there are others too who are waiting on some other floor for the elevator. Getting into an overcrowded elevator is also a bad habit, even if there is just enough space for you to squeeze in. Refrain from doing it.

Keep the children under control

Families with children should make their kids understand that too much noise or stomping on the floor can disturb the sleep of others, which is not appropriate.

The guest factor

If you have some guests coming over, make sure you brief them about the rules and regulations of the society beforehand to avoid any trouble.

Keep your pet on a leash

Everyone does not love animals. If you have a pet, keep it on a leash when you take it out for a walk. Never leave your pet alone when it is outside the four walls of your premises as it may cause more than just inconvenience for the neighbours.

Do not honk

If you arriving from a party late at night, do not honk incessantly as it can disturb the sleep of people.

Park your vehicle properly

Although most apartment complexes have designated parking slots for people residing in the complex, there are still some people who park their vehicle without paying heed to others’ discomfort. Always park your vehicle at your designated slot and park it in a way that does not block the right to passage of other vehicles.

Use of stairs

Most often, children run up and down the stairs, which, other than causing disturbance, can also cause injury to others. Please be firm when dealing with your kids who indulge in such games.

Walking in the hallway

While walking down a hallway, you should always converse softly. Talking loudly in the hallway can irritate others and can also jeopardise your privacy. Now, you surely do not want that to happen, do you? more