Fighting Fire with Fire: How One Proctor Used Movie Mayhem to Silence Loud RAs
Let’s be honest: college dorms are noisy. Between the midnight pizza parties, impromptu karaoke sessions, and the unmistakable sound of someone learning guitar at 2 a.m., peace and quiet can feel like mythical creatures. But what happens when the very people tasked with enforcing the rules—Resident Assistants—become the noisemakers? Enter u/dark_stallion_99, a proctor at Northeastern University, who found a delightfully petty way to restore silence without saying a word.
You’d think that the RAs—the supposed paragons of residential harmony—would be the first to shut their doors and keep the peace. But as our protagonist discovered, sometimes the guardians of quiet can be the loudest of all. And when diplomacy fails, sometimes you just have to fight noise… with more noise.
The Battle of the Decibels: A Deskbound Saga
Imagine this: you’re settled behind a desk for a 4-hour shift. Maybe you’re catching up on readings, maybe you’re planning your next big weekend. Either way, you’re expecting a relatively quiet evening. But instead of tranquility, you’re treated to the raucous sounds of RAs in full “study session” mode—shouting, laughing, and generally acting like they own the place, while their office door stands wide open just feet from your workspace.
Our proctor tried to grit his teeth and bear it. After all, confrontation isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially when your job is on the line. But after a year of enduring these decibel delinquents, something snapped. Rather than marching over and asking them to pipe down (which, let’s be real, rarely ends well), he opted for a more subtle—and oh-so-satisfying—form of revenge.
He fired up a movie on his laptop, cranked the volume all the way up, and let Hollywood’s finest do the talking. Within a mere five minutes, the RAs’ “important meeting” was disrupted, and—miracle of miracles—the door was closed. Silence (and sanity) restored.
Petty? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
Let’s break this down: Was it the most mature response? Perhaps not. But was it the most relatable? Oh, absolutely. Sometimes, the best way to get through to people is to let them experience a taste of their own medicine. It’s the classic “mirror effect”—by reflecting their behavior back at them, you send a clear message without ever having to utter a word.
Plus, let’s give credit where it’s due. This was a masterclass in non-confrontational problem solving. No angry emails. No awkward hallway confrontations. Just a simple, elegant escalation that solved the problem in minutes.
Why Are RAs So Loud, Anyway?
It’s an age-old paradox: RAs are supposed to be the enforcers of quiet hours, the upholders of dorm decorum. So why does it so often seem like their office is the epicenter of chaos? Maybe it’s the illusion of authority, or maybe they just forget that the walls (and doors) are thinner than they think.
Or perhaps, as this story reveals, it’s simply a case of “do as I say, not as I do.” Whatever the reason, it’s a reminder that everyone—even those in charge—needs a gentle nudge (or a blaring soundtrack) to be considerate.
A Lesson in Creative Problem-Solving
The beauty of this story isn’t just in its petty satisfaction—it’s a testament to the power of passive resistance. Sometimes, you don’t need to raise your voice to be heard. Sometimes, all it takes is the opening scene of an action movie played at full volume to remind people of their impact on others.
And who knows? Maybe next time the RAs will think twice before leaving their door open during a “study session.” Or maybe they’ll just invest in some better headphones.
Share Your Own Petty Victories
Have you ever fought back against inconsiderate noise-makers in your dorm or workplace? What’s your favorite story of passive (or not-so-passive) revenge? Drop your tales of dorm drama and creative solutions in the comments below! Because sometimes, the best way to deal with chaos is to embrace your inner petty hero.
After all, in the battle for peace and quiet, a little bit of noise can go a long way.
Original Reddit Post: Fought noise with noise to get loud RAs to close their door