I live in an apartment building and am a light sleeper. Recently, the couple with whom I share a bedroom wall — a pair of married, 50-something empty-nesters — has started to make love noisily at 5:30 a.m. on a regular basis. They wake me up, and then, even though the noise doesn’t last very long, I’m unable to get back to sleep.

I believe in being a good neighbor, and I commend them on their vitality, but if this were a baby crying or a dog barking or an instrument being practiced at 5:30 in the morning, I would say something.

Is asking them to keep it down within the realm of something I can ethically do?

Sincerely,
Sleepless