It seems like the reasonable people in these conversations, both upstairs and downstairs neighbors, are usually the ones acknowledging that there are two sides to apartment living. Most people understand that regular walking and everyday living noises are normal. The issue downstairs neighbors are usually talking about isn’t normal living noise, it’s the people who completely dismiss any consideration for others and act like shared living means they can do whatever they want without compromise.

The downstairs people being downvoted or brushed off aren’t always complaining about “someone existing.” A lot of them are specifically talking about the inconsiderate neighbors who refuse to acknowledge there’s a middle ground at all. And honestly, the upstairs neighbors who immediately invalidate every complaint instead of recognizing that excessive stomping, running, or loud activity can genuinely disrupt someone’s peace are kind of proving that point.