I live in a co-op in NYC. The building is a post-war 6-story wood-beam building. I live on the top floor.

At around 8pm tonight, my downstairs neighbor came up and rang my bell. He introduced himself and told me that my walking is too loud and he often hears me walking around at 2-3am. Note that it's not a loud TV or music or whatever -- it's "loud walking".

I have rugs on my floors (in compliance with the co-op board requirements) but simply put, the building is not soundproof in any way shape or form, and sound reverberates.

He asked me if I can try to walk quieter, and asked me to wear slippers around the house. I flat-out told him that I'm not stomping around, and of course I won't *intentionally try* to make noise, but that I'm not going to promise to wear slippers or restrict the time of day/night that I walk around the apartment.

He looked dejected (and a bit pissed off) that I wouldn't promise to reduce the noise.

Of course, I don't wish him ill, but frankly, I don't want to make a promise I can't keep, and I don't want to set any type of precedent for him complaining that I'm not doing something I said I was going to do.

Am I the asshole for not agreeing to wear slippers or enact a self-imposed curfew?