Monday, December 25, 2006
Gentle touch
Hi,
Trying out the gentle touch approach to a problem.
House renovation can be a real headache, for the neighbours also. It was only eight o'clock in the morning. The loud drilling from the adjacent house awoke all of us. There had been on and off drilling for many days at odd times during the day, but this one was really upsetting, not being able to catch up with sleep in the morning also. So for effect, immediately I dialled the project supervisor as stated in the builder's letter to the residents around.
A sleepy voice answered, "Hello ?"
I said slowly, "I am sorry if I have woken you up from your sleep so early."
"Oh, okay, what can I do for you ?"
"Oh, I just want to let you know that your workers started drilling a while ago," I spoke slowly, taking my time, giving him time to realize my intention.
Just as I completed my sentence he responded, "Oh, I am sorry, this must not happen again, not before ten o'clock; will that be alright ?"
"That will be fine, thank you very much."
So, there was no further drilling in the early morning; at least if we cannot rest in the day we can rest till late morning. That was about a couple of months ago, and it was fine indeed after that. But for several nights past, there was loud radio music and talk through the night. It was not loud when I went to sleep, but in the early hours it was really loud. This was disturbing; unable to sleep was always upsetting. It was the workers sleeping temporarily in the messy house under renovation.
I had to think of a way and do it nicely and well again. I went to see them early after dinner. "Hello, this for you for Christmas," I said friendlily, offering them a packet of biscuits.
One of them was cutting vegetables for dinner, so another accepted my gift and thank me. "Good Christmas," he said. There were four of them, all sitting and chatting while one worked.
As pleasant as I could I said, "At night you all don't sleep, yes ?"
Another replied, "After this we sleep" pointing to the kitchen work.
Lingering, I said, "How you sleep, your radio, two o'clock, at night, very loud", very slowly.
I guessed they were Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans or Indians, and do not speak much English; they sort of waggled their heads, smiling and friendly.
So I continued, "You do not sleep or do you sleep with your radio on, very loud", saying it slowly, letting my words sink in.
"Okay, no more radio", one said; the others waggled their heads, like they always do when they accept or do not disagree. They were very friendly.
"Radio OK, but not very loud. Thank you, good night", I smiled and left. I felt confident about the expected results.
And there was peace in the night till now, hopefully always hereafter.
Have a nice day
Ronald
Trying out the gentle touch approach to a problem.
House renovation can be a real headache, for the neighbours also. It was only eight o'clock in the morning. The loud drilling from the adjacent house awoke all of us. There had been on and off drilling for many days at odd times during the day, but this one was really upsetting, not being able to catch up with sleep in the morning also. So for effect, immediately I dialled the project supervisor as stated in the builder's letter to the residents around.
A sleepy voice answered, "Hello ?"
I said slowly, "I am sorry if I have woken you up from your sleep so early."
"Oh, okay, what can I do for you ?"
"Oh, I just want to let you know that your workers started drilling a while ago," I spoke slowly, taking my time, giving him time to realize my intention.
Just as I completed my sentence he responded, "Oh, I am sorry, this must not happen again, not before ten o'clock; will that be alright ?"
"That will be fine, thank you very much."
So, there was no further drilling in the early morning; at least if we cannot rest in the day we can rest till late morning. That was about a couple of months ago, and it was fine indeed after that. But for several nights past, there was loud radio music and talk through the night. It was not loud when I went to sleep, but in the early hours it was really loud. This was disturbing; unable to sleep was always upsetting. It was the workers sleeping temporarily in the messy house under renovation.
I had to think of a way and do it nicely and well again. I went to see them early after dinner. "Hello, this for you for Christmas," I said friendlily, offering them a packet of biscuits.
One of them was cutting vegetables for dinner, so another accepted my gift and thank me. "Good Christmas," he said. There were four of them, all sitting and chatting while one worked.
As pleasant as I could I said, "At night you all don't sleep, yes ?"
Another replied, "After this we sleep" pointing to the kitchen work.
Lingering, I said, "How you sleep, your radio, two o'clock, at night, very loud", very slowly.
I guessed they were Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans or Indians, and do not speak much English; they sort of waggled their heads, smiling and friendly.
So I continued, "You do not sleep or do you sleep with your radio on, very loud", saying it slowly, letting my words sink in.
"Okay, no more radio", one said; the others waggled their heads, like they always do when they accept or do not disagree. They were very friendly.
"Radio OK, but not very loud. Thank you, good night", I smiled and left. I felt confident about the expected results.
And there was peace in the night till now, hopefully always hereafter.
Have a nice day
Ronald
# posted by chunmu @ 7:16 PM 
