A man from Racine, Wisconsin, has captured the hearts of many after sharing a thoughtful note he wrote to his upstairs neighbor regarding her noisy cat. The note, which he posted on Reddit, highlights a positive approach to what is often a source of conflict among neighbors.
According to a poll conducted by Talker Research for Newsweek, noise complaints are among the leading causes of disputes between neighbors in the United States. In this case, Lucas, who briefly met the new resident of the apartment above, decided to take a different route when he noticed the sounds of little paws running across his ceiling.
In his note, Lucas addressed the neighbor directly, stating, “Dear [redacted] in 201, I have to inform you of your cat. He or she runs around a lot. I can hear the pitter-patter of their feet on my ceiling.” While one might expect a complaint about the noise, Lucas’s message took an unexpectedly warm turn.
“It’s very cute and brings me a lot of joy when I hear it,” he continued. “Tell them to keep it up.” Lucas, who owns several cats himself, understands the playful antics that come with feline companions. His intention was to welcome his new neighbor and offer a friendly gesture.
Although the neighbor has yet to respond, the note has gained significant attention online. Lucas shared a screenshot of his message on Reddit under the handle u/gumtoe34, where it received over 70,000 upvotes. Fellow Reddit users praised his kind-hearted approach, contrasting it with the more common complaints often seen on the platform.
One user commented, “I used to hear my neighbors’ cats get the zoomies, and it was so cute. You could only hear it if the apartment was completely quiet, but it literally was the best kind of neighbor noise.” Another chimed in, expressing appreciation for the humor in Lucas’s note.
Lucas expressed his delight at the positive reactions, noting, “I’ve read a lot of horror stories on that particular subreddit and figured it would be a nice change of pace for the community.” His post aimed to counterbalance the usual angry neighbor narratives and inspire others to adopt a similar attitude of kindness.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Lucas shared, “My mother always told me if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” He encouraged others to take the opportunity to spread kindness, as small gestures can significantly impact someone’s day or week.
This heartwarming incident serves as a reminder that even in the face of common grievances, a little positivity can go a long way in fostering community spirit.
