The Rudest Things You Can Do As A Neighbor During The Coronavirus Pandemic
As Americans practice social distancing to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, people are spending most of their time at home. Whether you’re in a crowded apartment building or a more spaced-out suburban area, this is a time to be especially mindful of neighbor etiquette.
“While it is always polite to consider how our actions may impact our neighbors, our behavior during a pandemic takes on increased importance,” Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, told HuffPost. “When we are morally obligated to stay home, we have so many unknowns and our stress levels are on high alert. What would have been a mere annoyance easily escalates into a major event.”
During this time, it’s important to have a heightened awareness of what you’re doing and how it affects those around you. With that in mind, HuffPost asked Smith and other etiquette experts to break down some of the rude neighbor behavior people will want to be mindful of.
Keep scrolling for nine faux pas to avoid amid the coronavirus pandemic, as well as some guidance for good neighbor etiquette.
Disregarding Noise Levels
“Be aware of noise levels,” said Smith. “You might love to get up early and start your day with a Zoom Zumba class. Doing Zumba before dawn was fine when you went to the gym, but now that you are Zumba-ing at home, it may present a problem when your floor is someone else’s ceiling.”
Try to reduce the amount of noise you’re making, especially at very late and early hours. This applies to apartment buildings, as well as suburban homes.
“My boys are home from college and playing a lot of basketball. I make them stop by 8 p.m. because my neighbor can hear that constant hitting of the rim. The same goes for splashing in the pool. No splashing after a certain hour,” said Patricia Rossi, a civility expert, keynote speaker and author of “Everyday Etiquette.”
If you know your next-door neighbor has a newborn, try to be mindful of nap times and don’t...
