New neighbor smokes, how to best deal w/ this selfish pr!ck?

[Buzz]

New smoker guy moved into back unit, replacing old non-smoker guy as roommate to yuppie chick on lease. New guy wanders around outside, smoking and talking on cell phone, though it is supposed to be a smoke-free 2 building complex. Several neighbors have already asked him to refrain, and when asked, he simply walks a building, or two, away for the time being. Given the hot weather lately, everybody has their windows open, and when new guy insists on sticking close to the buildings to smoke (and talk), it is very annoying. He has sufficiently proven his selfishness in the short time he has been here; how do we get him to be more considerate, after he's already been asked dozens of times?

My best idea so far is to get the rest of the neighbors to sign a short petition asking him to refrain and/or go elsewhere, and then scan and print it on an adhesive label that can be pasted on his car window upon each transgression. Hopefully by having to scrape the label off, he will then realize the discomfort and inconvenience he continues to cause all of the neighbors is a real problem that needs to be dealt with. Four buildings up is a haven for smokers, he should simply go there to indulge in his selfish activities.

[PeterB]

What does the lease say? A lot of leases prohibit smoking in or around the unit, for various reasons-- ranging from inconvenience to others, to the possibility of starting fires. If the lease says no smoking, then this is really something the landlord should handle.

I wouldn't do the label on the car thing. You don't want this coming from you or your neighbors; you want it coming from the landlord. When people are willing to inconvenience others, often they only respond to pressure from above... and unfortunately, you are not that pressure.

[Kiva]

"it is supposed to be a smoke-free 2 building complex"

how is this documented? that's your leverage..

kiva

[sscutchen]

You need a chihuahua... a loud one.
Walk him right next to the guy when he's on the cell phone.

Alternatively, you and the other neighbors can take turns barking... or carrying on loud conversations, or cranking the stereo.

Seriously... Maybe have everyone go have a talk with him at the same time? A big group?

I didn't know how many of them it would take to kick my ass.
But I knew how many they were gonna use...
That's important information right there. -- Ron 'Tater Salad' White

[Stephanie]

yup, what Peter & Kiva said. Don't lower yourself to his level by putting stuff on his car. If it truly IS in the rules/lease/some other document, then that's the route you should take. Get management involved - that's what they're there for.

[incognegro]

cell phone jammer
http://www.slate.com/id/2092059/

or bucket of water

[bfd]

Cell-phone jammers could occasionally backfire… especially if they get powered "on" without the owner's awareness …

Not saying bfd knows anything about this, of course.

[mattkime]

i'd take comfort in the fact that he'll die an early and painful death

[Pam]

I'd try a nicer approach and make sure he really understands that when windows are open, smoke can filter in. And regardless of whether or not windows are open, talking on a cell phone near a building can still be heard inside. You don't seem to get that he has shown some consideration. He does go outside to smoke respecting the rules and has moved away when asked. I wouldn't write him off so quickly as an inconsiderate clod. Many people have no idea how irritating cell phone conversations can be or even how easy sound travels through walls/windows. I bet he doesn't want his conversations so easily overheard. Instead of assuming he's a selfsih prick, have a calm "Dude, did you know we can hear your phone conversations..." kind of talk with him. The guy could actually be a decent person.

[Jp!]

Send him to CompUSA