People With Headphones or on Cell Phones in Public

[SeaBreeze]

I was out and about today, spring is in the air and it was very nice, folks were smiling and friendly....all was good. Whether walking on the sidewalk, crossing the streets or driving in their cars, I noticed that so many people young and old either had headphones on perhaps listening to music or actually on their cell phones.

Maybe it's my age, or I was never one for the new technology, but I never walk around anywhere with headphones on. I do have a Walkman, but even if I'm taking a stroll in the park, I prefer not to listen to music or talk radio. I'd rather hear and be aware of the people, birds and things around me.

If I have to talk on my cell phone, it lasts a couple of minutes, I never have the desire to walk and gab at the same time, not much of a phone talker anyway, would rather wait to talk to the person in the flesh if possible.

Are you comfortable using headphones in public? Do you use them on a daily basis for things like music? If you have to talk to someone on a cell phone, are you at ease doing it while walking in the streets or driving in your car?

 

[fureverywhere]

Okay several times now I have interviewed with people with ear pieces in. You have to figure out if they are addressing you or someone else by facial expression. I read lips, confusing as heck.

 

[SeaBreeze]

I've turned around in supermarkets and answered someone, only to discover they were on a cell phone talking to someone else....wild! Back in the day when people walked the streets mumbling or arguing with themselves we just thought they were crazy, now they're just on their cell phones. layful:

 

[tnthomas]

I just use (what they call) earbuds to listen to music on my cell phone, but when I'm on the elliptical at the gym.

 

[SeaBreeze]

Oh yeah Tnthomas, I know a lot of folks like to exercise to their favorite tunes. :jammin: I sometimes get Tinnitis in one ear, and earbuds aggravate it (or cause it), I used to use them in bed at night listening to the radio, but no more.

 

[Debby]

I've turned around in supermarkets and answered someone, only to discover they were on a cell phone talking to someone else....wild! Back in the day when people walked the streets mumbling or arguing with themselves we just thought they were crazy, now they're just on their cell phones. layful:

I've had some good conversations with my kids when I was in the supermarket. One of them lives on the other side of the country, so her ride to work might coincide with my shopping time. My policy is 'talk to them when they have time for you'.

 

[tnthomas]

I actually don't care much if people are talking on the cellphone in public, except in the stall next door in a public rest room. ffended:

Edit: Re: Tinnitis I usually do all the wrong things, which insures my continued affliction :shrug:

 

[Wrigley's]

If I wear headphones, it's because I'm listening to audio books. When I could only sit and read, I didn't open more than one or two books a year.

 

[Butterfly]

Back when I used to run, I'd listen to music with teeny headphones, but now that I'm not supposed to run anymore, I don't. When Bonnie and I are walking around, I like to be aware of what's going on, chat with neighbors, etc.

It drives me NUTS when people are talking loudly on cellphones in public places. I don't really want to be a party to what they did Friday night, or what so and so said, etc. Seems to me that people are more and more using electronic media to avoid actually participating in life. If I absolutely must use a cell phone in a public place, I make it short and sweet and I keep my voice down.

I'm not much of a phone talker anymore, either.

 

[Ameriscot]

I listen to music on my ipod using earbuds at the gym. I've got play lists of songs that I find energizing and I hate the radio station they play in my gym.

I listen to audio books on my phone using earbuds.

I never walk around with earbuds in and I'd never do it while riding my bike like some do. Dangerous!

I don't actually talk on my phone that often but if husband calls me on it I know it's important. Otherwise we text or whatsapp each other, like what aisle are you in? LOL.

 

[vickyNightowl]

I've turned around in supermarkets and answered someone, only to discover they were on a cell phone talking to someone else....wild! Back in the day when people walked the streets mumbling or arguing with themselves we just thought they were crazy, now they're just on their cell phones. layful:

Lol that has happened to me also.


I do not use earphones at all out in public,especially not in the car.

 

[Mike]

Here in London, I notice that most commuters wear
headphones or ear buds, I think that it all started
when people were getting the phone snatched from
their hand when talking outside.

But most are listening to music, very loud music in
many cases, I can hear it when passing them in the
street.

Mike.

 

[fureverywhere]

People go crazy with the picture taking and videotaping too. Last week we were at the boardwalk and sat down to watch the ocean for awhile. There was this young Mom on the beach with her kids. She was obviously making a video or whatever. But it's like she's so busy saving the moment she isn't actually in the moment ya know?

 

[Ameriscot]

People go crazy with the picture taking and videotaping too. Last week we were at the boardwalk and sat down to watch the ocean for awhile. There was this young Mom on the beach with her kids. She was obviously making a video or whatever. But it's like she's so busy saving the moment she isn't actually in the moment ya know?

I know what you mean. I'm guilty of that often, but then I stop myself and just look and enjoy the scenery.

 

[AprilT]

I started using earbuds in public for a a few reasons, I use public transit, so I run into some odd situations at times. When I first moved to to my area I was often, way to much for my comfort level, running into men who were not just wanting to make polite conversation, some were quite verbally aggressive. Then you have the passengers around you who are on their phones making sure everyone around is able to hear their every word, same with passengers chatting back and forth with each other in general. Then there are moments of having time to kill, so having music or a book to listen to while I wait for the bus to arrive works to fill that time.

 

[Debby]

I started using earbuds all the time because I read that having the phone right beside your head might have a detrimental effect on your brain and using earbuds gets the phone away from your head. Also it left my hands free so I could finish washing the dishes or folding laundry while we chatted. And because my daughters live(d) very far from me, one in a different time zone, I've made a point that whenever they call in the midst of their busy schedules, I answer and we chat. Even my husband knows that if we're in the middle of a movie and one of them calls, the movie gets paused because there's something more important (like talk to my 'babies'). April mentioned a few good reasons for earbuds too.

 

[Ameriscot]

I started using earbuds all the time because I read that having the phone right beside your head might have a detrimental effect on your brain and using earbuds gets the phone away from your head. Also it left my hands free so I could finish washing the dishes or folding laundry while we chatted. And because my daughters live(d) very far from me, one in a different time zone, I've made a point that whenever they call in the midst of their busy schedules, I answer and we chat. Even my husband knows that if we're in the middle of a movie and one of them calls, the movie gets paused because there's something more important (like talk to my 'babies'). April mentioned a few good reasons for earbuds too.

I am 5 hours ahead of my family and use Skype to talk to them. We usually arrange a time though. I can easily Skype them on my phone as well.

 

[Debby]

Our computer connections were so slow and sometimes 'iffy' that Skyping wasn't an option. Heck even with the cell phone, one time I had to sit in the driveway while holding my phone up in the air to receive a signal! Fortunately that was a sunny day! Can you imagine if it had been snowing? That would have been one time I'd have had to tell her to call me another time.

 

[Grumpy Ol' Man]

I guess I'm getting too old and too cranky. Too often I've come close to having someone on their cell phone involve me in an auto accident. The grocery store is getting almost impossible to negotiate due to people on their cells. I got behind a lady today who was talking on hers, slowly pushing a cart down the middle of the aisle. There were about three of us behind her. She was oblivious to us and could have cared less that her cell phone conversation was more important that the convenience of those around her. Another lady was getting a cart as she was going into the store. She was stopped right behind the cart rack, talking on her cell phone, blocking anyone else from getting their shopping cart.

 

[Falcon]

I usually just crowd them and say, "EXCUSE ME" Most of the time they realize what's going on and move out of the way.

 

[Wrigley's]

I usually just crowd them and say, "EXCUSE ME" Most of the time they realize what's going on and move out of the way.

Exactly that. I don't even act irritated. I like to play it like I don't think they can hear me over the phone conversation, as if it's the same as wearing headphones, so I have to lean in and yell nice and loud....but all innocently;

"'scuse me! I need a cart! Can you hear me ok?! Sorry, dude! Just need that cart!"

 

[ladyp]

I guess I'm getting too old and too cranky. Too often I've come close to having someone on their cell phone involve me in an auto accident. The grocery store is getting almost impossible to negotiate due to people on their cells. I got behind a lady today who was talking on hers, slowly pushing a cart down the middle of the aisle. There were about three of us behind her. She was oblivious to us and could have cared less that her cell phone conversation was more important that the convenience of those around her. Another lady was getting a cart as she was going into the store. She was stopped right behind the cart rack, talking on her cell phone, blocking anyone else from getting their shopping cart.

I agree with you it irritates me when someone comes to my counter to pay and all the customers in line behind them as as well as I have to wait while they talk to to who ever about something usually trivial before they pay and move on. Alot of times they never do get off that silly phone and just ignore what they're doing. or you see them walking with some one else down the isle in the store and instead of talking to the person they're with they chatting away on that phone.

 

[Butterfly]

I agree with you it irritates me when someone comes to my counter to pay and all the customers in line behind them as as well as I have to wait while they talk to to who ever about something usually trivial before they pay and move on. Alot of times they never do get off that silly phone and just ignore what they're doing. or you see them walking with some one else down the isle in the store and instead of talking to the person they're with they chatting away on that phone.

That seems very odd to me -- I'll see two people out walking their dogs together, and instead of talking with each other, they'll be on their cell phones talking to someone else. Have we lost the ability to just chat and enjoy the company of the person we are actually with? Just crazy. And maybe it's because I'm older, but it seems very rude to me to be in the company of one person and be on an extended call on your cell phone with someone else.

 

[Kitties]

I think it's out of control. I see young people in the supermarket following their parent around just staring at the phone. At work in the break room most people are on their cell phones. A guy in a grocery store parking lot almost walked into my cart because he was looking at his cell.

I like technology but whatever is on those things that people need to constantly stare at, I don't get.

 

[Pinky]

I'm probably the world's last holdout when it comes to getting an iphone .. don't want one, but it's only a matter of time before the battery goes on my old (2000) Nokia. It still holds a charge really well, and serves my purposes as an 'emergency only' phone that I top up every month for $10.00.

It was funny last night, after dinner. Others looking at iPhones and iPads, t.v. on, but nobody looking at it .. just me.

Okay, I guess I get the fascination with new technology. I wish, though, that people would not be on their phones while crossing the street.