The neighbors often made too much noise. Nearly every night the neighbors were too noisy. Why can’t they pipe down, he wondered. I can’t sleep. It’s late. What can I do? There wasn’t much he could do because the noise was within an acceptable range–legally, anyway. After many years of noise, he decided to take action. The following afternoon he went over to the neighbor’s house and knocked on the door. Right away a baby started crying. A moment later the father opened the door, not looking too happy. I just got her to sleep, and now–he gestured to the noise. I’m sorry, I didn’t know. You didn’t see the sign? He pointed to a sign displayed prominently on the door–baby sleeping, please come back later. Oh, I didn’t see it. Again, my apologies. He waived it off. Water under the bridge. So what can I do for you? Oh, yes, I just wanted to ask you to keep the noise down at night. I can’t sleep due to all the racket. Oh, ok, no problem •