I'm not terribly good with bullies. But, I do have some experience with angry customers.
What I've found that works best is to "kill them with kindness". But, don't give them a lot of your time or try to get to know them. That gives them too much power.
The most effective way to deal with a bullying customer is to (as sincerely as humanly possible) be nice to them. You don't have to actually agree with them. But, smile and listen as sincerely as you can.
The reason that I emphasize sincerity is that I have a tendency to come across as extremely sarcastic when I'm being nice when I'm really angry. So, I have to think thoughts that awaken sincere, loving feelings when I'm playing nice to avoid this.
They may calm down. They may get angrier. They may feel ashamed of their behavior or just get mad that you're not trembling in fear of them. Either way, you have the power and control. Just keep it short and sincerely kind, then get away quickly before they have time to react.
If they're not truly cruel people. You might get a little less harassment if you talk to them about the "young hoodlums" that have been doing stuff in the building (best not to mention that the hoodlums are seniors). That may shame them and/or make them feel that you're one of them (not a young hoodlum yourself).
I do think that
vaping only in your apartment out of site would be best. But, that's largely because I'm a very private person and don't like my neighbors knowing anything about me in the first place. No knowledge, no ammunition. Keep contact as short as possible. You can't keep any kind of control of the situation except for in short spurts. Unless you're just that kind of personality in the first place.
To sum it up: Kind and secretive, in short spurts.
I tend to ramble. Can you tell?
