Entitled Teenager Thinks He Can Practice Playing His Electronic Drums At 4 In The Morning Because It Isn't Loud, His Neighbor And An Online Community Think Otherwise

Some neighbors treat “quiet hours” like a suggestion, and this Reddit post is proof that it does not go well. OP’s neighbor is dealing with a teenager who thinks 4 a.m. is a totally reasonable time to practice on electronic drums.

At first, OP says there were no complaints, so the teen kept tapping away like the walls were soundproof. Then the neighbor snapped, showing up in OP’s house, cursing and yelling at him, and adding that she has COVID, meaning she’s already dealing with enough noise and stress.

What makes it extra messy is that the online community is split, because “electronic” does not automatically mean “harmless” at 4 in the morning.

The OP shared about his neighbor's problem with him playing his electronic drums early in the morning.

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The OP tells the community that nobody has been complaining about his drum playing up to this point.

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His neighbor complained by walking into his house, cursing and yelling at him. She has COVID.

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OP insists nobody complained until the neighbor marched in cursing, which is when the whole situation stopped being “just drums.”

The situation with the teenager practicing his electronic drums at 4 in the morning reveals a deeper issue of entitlement and a lack of awareness regarding social norms. This behavior likely stems from an adolescent's ongoing development, where understanding empathy and the impact of one's actions on others is still maturing. While electronic drums may not be as loud as their acoustic counterparts, the sound can still travel through walls, indicating that the teen may not fully grasp the consequences of his actions on his neighbor's peace. This highlights a critical phase in youth development where learning about social cues and boundaries is essential.

Four in the morning is already late, the OP says.

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The community is on the neighbor's side. One user attests that even electronic drums can get loud too.

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The teen’s argument is basically that electronic drums are quieter, but the neighbor is trying to sleep through COVID and 4 a.m. tapping.

The situation involving the teenager practicing his electronic drums at 4 in the morning highlights a common issue of adolescent egocentrism. This age group often struggles to see beyond their own perspective, which can lead to situations like this where one party is unaware of the impact of their actions on others. The teenager likely believes that since electronic drums are quieter than acoustic drums, his late-night practice is acceptable. However, as noted in the article, even sounds that may seem minimal can travel through walls and disturb neighbors. This underscores the importance of empathy and awareness in social interactions. Encouraging young people to consider how their actions affect those around them can foster better community relationships and reduce conflicts like this one.

This AC bill standoff is the same kind of “fair share” fight as the roommate dispute over excessive use.

The tapping sounds can travel through walls and disturb any sleeping neighbor.

Even if it doesn't produce the same loudness as a regular drum set, the noise can still be disturbing, especially in the morning.

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The OP needs to apologize too. It's his fault that his neighbor can't get enough sleep.

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Redditor thinks that the question makes no sense. Common sense would tell anyone that playing at 4 AM can be disturbing for most people.

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One Reddit user points out that even those “not loud” drum pads can still carry through walls, especially when you’re blasting them at bedtime hours.

Research indicates that when boundaries are established, teens learn to respect the needs and feelings of others.

He can check his city's or neighborhood's ordinances, but he can always refer to his common sense.

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Why does he keep insisting that his neighbor isn't supposed to hear them? She complains because she gets disturbed in her sleep, hearing the taps early in the morning.

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The timing is off

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By the time the community weighs in, it becomes less about decibels and more about whether OP and the teen understand how late-night noise hits someone else’s life.</p>

Moreover, fostering open discussions about respect and consideration can promote a more empathetic environment.

Workshops or group discussions can provide a platform for this kind of learning.

At the very least, he asked for an outside perspective.

He could easily opt to practice during hours when people are awake. This neighbor probably wouldn't mind the drumming sounds as long as she can hear them during broad daylight.

Moreover, it's important for him to acknowledge his mistake and apologize to the neighbor too!

Engaging the Community

Lastly, community involvement can play a pivotal role in shaping teenagers’ understanding of social norms. Volunteering opportunities can expose adolescents to diverse perspectives, enhancing their ability to empathize with others.

Research suggests that engaging in community service not only improves social responsibility but also cultivates a greater appreciation for the impact of one's actions on the lives of others.

In this scenario, the actions of the teenager highlight a concerning trend of entitlement that many adolescents exhibit.

Now OP has to wonder if the neighbor’s meltdown was the first complaint for a reason.

For a similar boundary clash, read how the roommate used OP’s expensive equipment without permission.