Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Question about accepted norms in the common space

[Dick Margulis (dick]

An additional factor is that in a population of older adults, many 
people will be somewhat hearing impaired and will also have a diminished 
sense of smell. (This is in addition to the psychological fact of 
accommodation that reduces our awareness of the familiar smells of our 
own households relative to visitors' awareness of them, which affects 
people of all ages.)

So it may just be that people don't realize how loud their tv is, or 
their phone voice, or their conversational voice, nor how garlicky their 
food really is. Maybe all that's needed is a polite reminder and a 
request to close the door.


On 10/22/2020 9:49 AM, Sharon Villines via Cohousing-L wrote:
> We had a person who was very allergic to perfumes, chemicals, etc. plus flowers 
> and pollen. We became very sensitive to this so in general we are careful of 
> these things. And we would be reminded if we forgot.
>
> Our design means odors wouldn’t go into the CH if people opened their doors; they just dissipate 
> outdoors. And noise is supposed to stay within one’s unit — people are good about turning things 
> down. And others are good at reminding them. Many people are totally unaware of the loudness of their own 
> talking or music. Or unaware that it is intruding on others. You have to speak up. “You seem to be 
> playing music in my bedroom."
>
> I would suggest that you have a design problem also. Do your units have exhaust 
> fans that take odors in the other direction? They may be pulled into the common 
> space by air currents.
>
> Explaining the canyon effect to people can help too. We can understand 
> conversations 3 floors down in the piazza for the same reason. And our wings 
> are much farther apart. The people on the first floor had no clue.