quarelling neighbors

Philippines
January 21, 2011 10:35pm CST
I live in a 6-door apartment and had been here for six years now. The other residents had been here for years, too. The ladies at doors 4 and 6 were good friends and buddies until a disagreement between them happened. Minutes after I came home from work this morning (we work half days on Saturdays) the two were shouting at the top of their voices hurling curses and accusations towards each other and revealing each other's secrets for all the neighbors to hear. Sigh! I don't meddle into other people's lives and affairs. I have this reputation at work and here at home of minding my own business and leaving others to theirs. But I truly regret that these two once were good friends. And I thought...What if I bring these two together to talk their differences out in a cool, objective manner with somebody to mediate the discussion. Is this a good idea or would this be meddling and interfering in their affairs? What do you think? Please share. Thanks mylotters.
2 people like this
8 responses
@dfollin (25351)
• United States
22 Jan 11
You could try it,but from my experiences it will start out calm, but then it would end up in a shouting match.Maybe you should just give it some time and see if it calms down on it's own. Maybe if you talk to them each seperatley telling them how silly it is then they will calm down. Good luck,keep us posted.
• Philippines
22 Jan 11
Yes dfollin. Oftentimes time gives its own wonders. In addition to weighing all the advices given here, I might give it some time for both to calm down and reflect on their own before I do anything, or nothing. Thanks for your response and yes, I'll keep you posted. Have a nice day.
@JohnMach (550)
• Philippines
22 Jan 11
You shouldn't meddle with other people's businesses and if you ask me, that's meddling. Just leave them alone. That's their business. It's easy to ignore when it comes to these circumstances.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
23 Jan 11
Wise advice JohnMach. I usually don't meddle, not unless they come to me. And even then, I simply listen and not take sides. It could be tricky to be in the middle. Thanks for your response.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
22 Jan 11
First let them calm down, give them a day or two. Then if you feel you can help do so. Never try to interfer when emotions are high. Someone might hit you. Blessings
• Philippines
23 Jan 11
Hello savypat! If they hit me, then there will be three of us shouting and cursing. Heaven Forbid! Letting them calm down is a wise advice. I will see how a day or two even more develop and watch for an opportunity before I act. Thanks for your response, savypat.
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
22 Jan 11
hello, If they are your good friends,yes you can interfere (they are your friends)and be a mediator,that's what friends are for. But if just know them by faces,i don't think it's a good move. Here in our neighborhood,this case rarely happens. I think in my 11 years of living here since we moved,i only witness one incident that happens like what you've written. They are also good friends and yes,shouting their secrets (which is a real shock to the whole community)throwing things,since they can't reach other physically,other friends/loved ones are trying to pull them apart. This is ridiculous,how can a friend (you consider as best)shouts all your secrets. With your question,again,if you really knew them,or if they are your close friends,you should do what's in your mind. Or,even if they're not that close to you,but you knew them for a long time,you can try to talk to each other and listen to each story and then set for a heart to heart talk (they're good friends anyway) Who knows,you can make their friendship more stronger. Sometimes people becomes immature when they get's older (ugh) have a great weekend
• Philippines
23 Jan 11
Hello jaiho! I would not say I am close to them or anything but I have known them since my stay here and I maintain a friendly distance. But the two used to be good friends. I hope that in time they will realize what this friction did to their friendship. On their own. And one has to "humble one's self" so to speak if they really want to salvage their friendship. And I hope too that the cursing and shouting won't happen again. This could be humiliating for both of them. Thanks for your response.
@Bellapop (1279)
22 Apr 11
All you can do is try, if you are going to be doing something for the good then to try it -as long as your intention is good and for the better then I see no problem in doing something about it. It would not be seen as interfering or meddling, or being nosy, it is better to try it to good and fail rather than do nothing at all and regret it later when you have the chance.
@louie847 (350)
• Philippines
22 Jan 11
You have a good intention of bringing the two together by talking differences in a cool and calm manner. But it would be difficult knowing that you are not involve in their lives. They would just think bad about you for not minding your own business. Maybe, you could as someone that is close to them and if he or she could be the mediator of the two and let them settle there quarrels once and for all.
1 person likes this
@gaiza12 (4884)
• Philippines
3 Feb 11
I think it's already interfering although the intention is really very nice. I think you just have to let time past and the tension ease a little so that when you interfere they won't be thinking that you are indeed interfering.
• United States
22 Jan 11
I don't see any harm in getting them together to help them talk it out. Either it'll work, or it won't work.