Quiet For Once

Now, this is a topic that we tend to shy away from publicly, perhaps to retain our status as ever-accommodating individuals. Nowadays, it just seems like we wake up to noise embedded in our day-to-day activities. This ranges from the sound of the alarm clock, ring tones, rumbling engines of vehicles, generators and more often humans.

Image by Sammy-Sander from Pixabay

To start with, I do not like noise or unnecessary loud sounds which is perhaps why I do not go to parties that will entail loud music. Even in church, I try to steer clear of the choristers' area or the speakers and stay where the least sound would hit me. In the same vein, using an earpiece for me is like a last resort.

When I was a fresher, the universe directed people of like minds to co-rent a block of rooms such that we had no issue with anyone disturbing the other at all. So anytime there was a vacant room, we gathered as a panel to decide whether or not to accept the person vying to rent. If someone's appearance suggests trouble or loud music, we don't tell the landlord about their request or pretend the space is already rented. Are we bad people? No, I guess. We were only trying to save ourselves some stress.

I have been in Lagos for about 3 months now, where I undergo the compulsory IT as an engineering student. Coming from a place (my hostel in school and my family home) where there is just peace and tranquillity, some activities here still baffle me. Naturally, every Lagosian is an angry person and most likely rushing somewhere or nowhere at all. The bus drivers blare their horns to greet their colleagues or announce their presence. A regular passenger is angry at the government concerning a bad portion of the road and takes offence at anyone who might try to explain his stance. And boom, words run helter-skelter.

I currently live beside a church that does not even make too much noise which I like and respect. But there is a big cathedral that is some meters away from my house. You would think the distance will ensure that you do not feel the sound emitting from them. I tell you, Fridays especially, honestly their sound alone engulfs all others in the areas such that you would think they are the only ones having a service.

When I visited last year, my sibling struggled to sleep because of the cathedral's convention and daily programs. In contrast, I think all things being equal, I could still sleep no matter who is blasting the earth. I am sure there would be so many people having that same issue but who would speak out? Last I heard, the cathedral had been there long before the landlords in the area made their first couple of money.

I understand that establishments need a public address system to pass their message across to the public but when it goes over the bar and starts to adversely affect them a detour should be taken. I once heard that the state regulates this kind of issue but I have not seen any evidence of them doing enough. Or better still, can we all be quiet for once?!