Small children crying - how much is normal?

Right, the kid is small. He cannot walk yet, but is trying to learn (if someone holds his arms he goes through stepping motions). Cannot talk yet, I think. No clue how old.
And he cries. All the fucking time. Is this normal?
Parents are a bit weird, I think. I know that they think I'm weird. Mom stays at home with the crying kid all the fucking time, they hardly ever go out. And they have a garden but almost never use it. Caught them once in the open, which is why I know the little one is trying to learn how to walk. He wasn't crying then.
I'm a bit worried. But this is not my home (am only home-sitting) and I don't know. It's not that I cannot sleep because he's crying, it's more that I keep thinking: This is not normal. What are they doing to the kid?
Somebody please ease my mind and tell me he's just teething or something. Thanks.

Maybe he has gas. He is likely under 1 year old (as he can't yet walk). Are they German? I have two small ones, and their teeth came in around 1 year.. Painful. I would cry too.

My kids don't bawl anymore, but when they did it was basically at bed-time (6pm-10pm), and there was generally some kind of discomfort causing it (eg: belly-ache).
Teething pain usually came in waves, I think, and could be dealt with with one of those cold rubbery ring-thingys.
Otherwise, have heard stories from mother-in-law of 24/7 screamers in her neighbourhood, so don't think it's that unusual.
All the same, would keep an eye on developments.

Reckon I should offer to teach him how to fart?

Thanks for validating my teething theory, PES. A load off my mind.

I've got a nearly 2 year-old directly above me that I think cries or screams 20 out of 24 hour a day. Her new act is "NEIN MAMA NEIN". Fortunately, we live in fairly new construction that was built to last the next world war, so the walls/ceiling are pretty thick. I can hear her a little bit when it's dead quiet (no radio/TV), but when the windows are open it can get pretty annoying. I have not and will not complain because 1) I'm sure mom didn't plan it this way 2) it's just part of living with other people.

I was only ever worried about the kid, not about the noise. Don't get me wrong here.

Hiya Dimmer, No clue but could be colic? I thought that was a problem for babies though. Dont know as dont have any rugrats of my own but nice of you to be concerned.

My neighbours baby went through the same thing. It lasted for months. Not all day though but several hours throughout the day and evening. In my case i went over to the neighbours a few time to see if i could help but she claims she never heard me over the baby noise. The kid seemed to grow out of it and then he was just a squealer...constantly sqeauling over something, usually in delight though so not as worrysome. Now he's about 2 and never makes a sound that comes through the walls at least.

I had one attempt of getting in touch with them re the kid. Went horribly wrong. I'm just such a *insert word*.
Well, that was after they had their little walking exercise in the garden. Kid sat very content and just looked about. He's quite fat chubby. Said something about him being a Little Buddha. Did not go down well. Mom's quite overweight, maybe she took it personally. Foot in my mouth situation.

Anyway, thanks for your input, everybody. Off to Sourth America next week and will of course brief my friend (whose house I'm sitting) on the situation with the unhappy first born next door.

Well I guess that went about as badly as could be expected then... I bet your friend will be able to look forward to a right old ear-bashing when he/she gets home

@ Crawlie, don't you have your own neighbour to attend to...how are we supposed to make any progress when you've got your nose in other people's neighbor's issues. Really. Focus sir, focus.

Sorry jml.. All quiet on the neighbour front. Either the dog has gone or it has eaten the neighbour and enjoying the freedom of the house or something...