Dear Urban Diplomat: I’m really, really sick of Bob Marley. Can I ask my neighbours to make a new playlist?
Dear Urban Diplomat, I live in Kensington Market, so I’ve seen and heard it all. For months, the establishment below my apartment has been playing the same Bob Marley album almost all day, seven days a week. I don’t want to stir it up, but I do want the shop owner to switch up the playlist. How should I go about it?
—Negative Vibration, Kensington
Reggae in Kensington? Next you’re going to tell me there are one per centers on the Bridle Path, longboarders on Ossington and dog lovers in the Beach. But I get that your issue is not necessarily with the Honourable Robert Nesta Marley, OM, so much as with the lack of aural variety. I’m also going to hazard a guess that the proprietor isn’t the type who likes having The Man tell him what to do, so avoid barging in with hostile demands. Instead, bone up on the genre—start with Clancy Eccles, Larry Marshall and The Beltones—then strike up friendly conversations with the proprietor until you’re on good enough terms to convincingly recommend a few of your “favourite” artists. If that doesn’t work, try hanging felt blankets on your walls, which will dampen at least the most strident odes to Babylon. If all else fails, move.
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