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AIBU?

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Am I getting old or is the world becoming more inconsiderate?

110 replies

GeorgeA12 · 16/08/2025 18:47

Just been on holiday in UK desperately trying to relax from busy year. I just found people being so inconsiderate to their fellow human beings, was struggling to tolerate it all. Some examples:

  1. Person on the train talking loudly on the phone about her upcoming party. The rest of the people in the carriage pretty silent. Why couldn't she know how disruptive she was?
  1. I was kayaking in the sea. I kid you not, a person comes into the sea talking loudly making a video call for ten minutes.
  1. A family trying to make their kid go in the sea. The kid was screaming, not wanting to go in the sea. Went on for twenty mins. Was awful to hear.
  1. Took a bus ride. Walked towards the back of the bus and their is an aggressive looking dog sitting on a seat!
  1. Another bus ride and someone talking loudly about their friends shitting habits for all to hear.
  1. Took my mum out for a nice meal to a restaurant. Half way through the meal a family comes in with a dog. The restaurant is now dog friendly apparently. Sorry I don't want to eat my meal with a dog nearby without being told first.
  1. Another cafe. Three dogs in one person letting one of their dogs paw on the seats.
  1. Having a meal in a pub with my daughter. Parents letting their kids use their phones to watch videos for all to hear. Had to move.
  1. Coming home on the train. Someone playing radio 2 loudly on their phone speakers. Why not wear headphones, I dont want to listen to someone else's noise.

I'm getting to the point where I wish I was born in the early1900s, to avoid all the stress technology brings. I'm 50, just want peace and consideration is it to much to ask from others when out in public? Or am I just not used to how the world operates now?

OP posts:
OnlyHerefortheBiscuits · 17/08/2025 09:04

wherewillwegoto · 16/08/2025 23:18

And what is it with people carrying speakers around playing their music loud for everyone to hear? I don't want to listen to your music, thank you very much, put your headphones on!

It's never Schumann or Chopin is it?

Something I wouldn't mind catching a snippet of as I pass.

Pinkgiraffe34567 · 17/08/2025 09:01

When I was at primary school (in the 90s) a policeman came to visit us in assembly and spelled out a few things we should do to be law abiding and considerate of our communities. One of those things he said was that when we listen to music in public or on public transport we should use headphones and it should never be loud enough so that other people can hear it.

Il always remember that little talk we had and now I wouldn’t dare play anything too loud now.

CakesofPan · 17/08/2025 08:44

Yes, I think it’s since Brexit and the Pandemic. People are more siloed.

GeorgeA12 · 17/08/2025 08:41

Why is this happening though? Why are people so inconsiderate now? If I was on a train I wouldn't dream of making a call, and if it was urgent I would take myself out to the vestibule area in the carriage so as not to disturb other people's peace.

OP posts:
EmeraldRoulette · 16/08/2025 23:21

@GeorgeA12 what a shame they didn't drop the phone in the sea

I was looking for somewhere to go this weekend. I ended up not going anywhere, partly because I was only okay to go somewhere really quiet. That is practically impossible to find now.

After years of living in London, I have a passionate hatred of public transport, so if I can't easily get a reasonably priced cab, or just be walking distance in where I'm staying, I won't go. It's not a holiday if I've got to get public transport. Though I do have to take it to get there in the first place!

wherewillwegoto · 16/08/2025 23:18

And what is it with people carrying speakers around playing their music loud for everyone to hear? I don't want to listen to your music, thank you very much, put your headphones on!

GeorgeA12 · 16/08/2025 22:48

I'm sick of it to be honest. It's making me not want to go on holiday anymore. Wasn't like this when I was a kid. It's the constant use of phones in public that's getting me, it's even worse now as people think it's ok to be on the speaker.

OP posts:
huffdragon · 16/08/2025 22:04

Couldn’t agree more. I can add people with headphones in who stand in the middle of the pavement at the bus stop and can’t hear you politely asking them to let you pass. People riding bikes or scooters on the pavement and expecting you to move for them. Neighbours who shout to each other even though they are sitting 3 feet apart or play music in the garden. Videos being watched on speaker phone on the bus/train or any public space. There is a real sense of entitlement to use public spaces without taking into account other people using them. It drives me mad.

ThankYouNigel · 16/08/2025 21:11

YANBU OP. I’ve noticed the same types of things, especially re. Noise/music from phones etc in public places where headphones could be used.

UnhappyHobbit · 16/08/2025 21:08

Im in my 30s and I feel like the world and its attitude has changed. I recently went to a spa and some women were loudly talking in a steam room. I thought it was really inconsiderate. It’s like people have no awareness of what’s around them.