A lot of spiked punch was consumed as the hours passed and people became relaxed and a bit uninhibited -- isn't that what parties are for? It wasn't quite like the storied antics of Tailhook '91, alas, but everyone did have fun. There were occasional thumps and crashes, muffled giggles and guffaws and lots of laughter that could be heard outside the apartment.
All this attracted the attention of the lady across the hall, who kept
her door open an inch or two throughout much of the evening, often
peering out, especially when the door opened and she could glimpse the
party action.
One time when she did this, I noticed, so I got a glass of wine and some party snacks and went over and knocked on her door. Of course, she closed it as I approached but I knocked gently on the door and said, "Ma'am, I thought you might like some refreshments." She opened the door a bit suspiciously, but when she saw what I had she took the tray and smiled and we chatted a bit and I asked her if she would like to join us. She said no, she was too old for that nonsense but hoped we had fun. After that her door stayed closed.
That's how you deal with people, in my view: Be nice to them, recognize them as individuals with concerns and curiosity and connect with them as one person to another. Simple, isn't it?
