Many years ago I lived next door to a couple who had a love of very loud reggae music. I should add that I’m not averse to reggae, I like it myself so the music itself wasn’t the issue. The issue was the level of bass that they used. Way too much. Pictures falling off the walls, really really heavy.

We were friendly so I laughingly asked if they would reduce the bass line somewhat, not the volume, that was fine. They didn’t. I asked again, less laughingly, they didn’t.

This went on for several months. Until the point where I was due to go on a long weekend away to attend a wedding.

That Friday night I loaded up a Black Sabbath CD. I set it to replay. I raised the volume to full. I turned the bass line to full. I turned the speakers to their bedroom wall. I went down and left the house.

I returned on Monday to some puce coloured neighbours, complaining loudly about the distress that it had caused them. I smiled sweetly and said “oh, I thought you liked a good bass line.

Never had that issue again.