Had to mediate several disputes between neighbours on the same floor during house visits last night. There were four households in the fray! It was clear they were vexed over noise, smoking, rude behaviour and other issues. Even the police and HDB had been called in previously, but weren’t able to take any action.
It took some time for me to hear out each resident’s complaints and convey their salient concerns to their neighbours, to try to convince them to see things from each others’ perspective, empathise with their neighbours’ concerns and change their behaviour.
As with most community disputes, it helps if neighbours are considerate to each other in the first instance, but even when they are not, to be pleasant-mannered when communicating one’s unhappiness to neighbours, so as not to breed animosity.
Easier said than done, but there is no better way for all of us to live at peace with each other.
Source: Gerald Giam 严燕松
