When Michelle moved into our Maple Street apartment block, she ignored our one golden rule: after 8 p.m., bring your key. Instead, she pounded on windows and buzzed every apartment at all hours. At first, we let it slide, but after countless sleepless nights, everyone was at their breaking point.

So, the tenants and I came up with a plan. The next time Michelle forgot her key, we gave her a taste of her own medicine — buzzing her at 1 a.m., knocking on her door, and making sure she couldn’t get any sleep. It was petty, yes, but it worked.

By the fifth night, Michelle looked worn out, with dark circles under her eyes. “Please,” she begged, “I’ll bring my key. Just let me sleep.” From that night on, the late-night banging stopped.

It wasn’t a perfect apology, but peace finally returned to our building. Sometimes the only way to teach respect is to make someone experience exactly what they put you through.