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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you take a speaker on a solo holiday?

266 replies

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:18

To use in your Airbnb and on the beach?

OP posts:
MummyWillow1 · 07/06/2026 19:26

TheSmallAssassin · 07/06/2026 18:27

No, the beach is not fine, as you say, it's an open area and sound carries. Not everyone wants to listen to your music. I would find that really annoying.

In the AirBnB is fine as long as it's not really loud.

Bits of the sound carry, which is even more annoying as all everyone else can hear is ‘tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk…’

I agree the beach is not OK!

oviraptor21 · 07/06/2026 19:25

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:41

Firstly, it’s not shite.

Secondly, it’s really common for my area? You always get groups down at the beach at the weekend listening to music.

To me your music is shite.
To you, my Bruckner will be shite.
Please learn that people don't all like the same music and people don't all want to listen to music, even music they like, on the beach.

oviraptor21 · 07/06/2026 19:23

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

No the beach is not fine. I don't want to hear your music. Would you like to hear my Bruckner blaring out? No. So don't subject me to your choice of music.

StMarie4me · 07/06/2026 19:23

Oh so snobby about the music as well as ignoring everything that everyone has said to you?

OP multiple people have said not in the beach. You argue. If you do that actually on holiday I think that will be more dangerous than having ear buds in…

ec5881 · 07/06/2026 19:22

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

No way!!! What if people want the lapping of the waves? Or read their book? Or have a nap? I cannot bear this at all. I take my speaker everywhere but will only use it where others cant hear it. People who play music direct from their phone on the bus… I mean I think this should be a crime 😂

ilovesooty · 07/06/2026 19:21

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

Are you serious?

tipsyraven · 07/06/2026 19:21

I’m so fed up of hearing other people’s music all over the place. Wear headphones ffs.

Anibanani · 07/06/2026 19:20

MrsOni · 07/06/2026 18:49

Honestly, in a public place I don't mind people playing music.

It's unrealistic to expect perfect silence in a public place. If not music, then people talking, kids playing etc....

Those are general noises from people that go with being in a public place. Playing your music on a speaker is something else entirely. It’s selfish, intrusive and disrespectful of everyone else. Ear buds or headphones should always be used in a public place.

LewKirtonHeavenInTheAfternoonNSOul · 07/06/2026 19:17

BelleEpoque27 · 07/06/2026 18:57

Can you not just exist in silence for a bit? Why the desperate need for music? Listen to the waves and the seagulls, FFS.

They're going to take a speaker regardless what pp have said.
Imagined or real.

SkippitySkoppity · 07/06/2026 19:16

Things I want to hear when I'm on a beach:

the sound of waves crashing
some laughter
me murmuring to myself 'this is nice'
pages of a great book turning
someone selling ice creams
don't mind the sounds of kids squealing with fun
quite enjoy one incidence per afternoon of a couple having a bit of messy drama

MrsJeanLuc · 07/06/2026 19:16

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:32

Because I feel like it’s dangerous to always have headphones on, especially when you’re alone on the beach in the evening.

What is wrong with you? Can't you enjoy being on the beach without a sound track?
Listen to the sound of the waves, the birds, etc.

bigfacthunter · 07/06/2026 19:16

I don’t understand why someone would choose to negatively impact the lives of people around them when there is such a simple, much more portable solution (earbuds) 🧐

You may not think your music is shite OP but a lot of people will, taste being totally subjective.

PinkyFlamingo · 07/06/2026 19:15

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

Fine that everyone around d you had to hear your music? Really? That's a bit selfish

Passaggressfedup · 07/06/2026 19:15

Secondly, it’s really common for my area? You always get groups down at the beach at the weekend listening to music
Yes, and they are selfish pain in the ass who piss everyone off, but because it's the UK, noone says everything.

Hopefully, you're going somewhere where locals don't have such inhibitions and will tell you where to go with your speaker!

MrsJeanLuc · 07/06/2026 19:14

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

No, absolutely NOT fine. It's an open area and the sound will travel hundreds of metres - REALLY rude and antisocial.

Abra1t · 07/06/2026 19:13

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:24

I feel like the beach would be fine? It’s an open area, not like a train…

I don’t want to hear your music.

moderateme · 07/06/2026 19:12

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:55

I do hope everyone saying no doesn’t take their children to the beach, for them to be screaming and crying all over the place!

Honestly - if I could put my children in headphones, or indeed turn them down I absolutely would. For the benefit of me and everyone else. But they are people with individual rights to a life. Just like you were OP. It’s not remotely the same as an inconsiderate arsehole inflicting music on other people when they could just as easily limit their noise to headphones.

MissAmbrosia · 07/06/2026 19:12

No - not acceptable at all in a public space. Keep your music to yourself.

ChristmasCwtch · 07/06/2026 19:11

Massively unreasonable to inflict your music taste on strangers!! Use AirPods in public

SwanSongSing · 07/06/2026 19:08

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:55

I do hope everyone saying no doesn’t take their children to the beach, for them to be screaming and crying all over the place!

Yes, that's exactly the same thing

No ones addressing why you've asked about the Airbnb, why are you asking about that? Everyone knows you can listen to music indoors which makes me think you must be planning on doing something more that normal listening otherwise it's a totally redundant question

HedgehogsOnTheWall · 07/06/2026 19:08

No, because I'm not an inconsiderate twat.

TheBloomingDahlia · 07/06/2026 19:07

No to the beach unless every bar is playing a different song so there’s already lots of music, or it’s literally deserted. If you are worried about safety get headphones that have a setting that amplifies background noises or just put one in. I get that you like other people’s music but most people don’t unless they’ve chosen to be in a place that they know will have music

BlackCat14 · 07/06/2026 19:07

Another classic case of…

OP: AIBU?
Everyone: Yes
OP: No I’m not!!!

writingsonthewall · 07/06/2026 19:07

Arlanymor · 07/06/2026 18:18

Yes to the Airbnb, no to the beach, use headphones please, we don't all want to hear your music.

Yes to this

HaveYouFedTheFish · 07/06/2026 19:06

itssoeasy · 07/06/2026 18:54

Where did I say that? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I have a plan for one night - to sit at the beach, eating a pizza with a cocktail at sunset. Hardly sitting in the dark on the beach every night

You hear the waves every day and don't think its a sound worth listening to.

Playing music through a speaker on the beach is common in your area.

You're planning to go to an Airbnb so you can sit on the beach and play music through a speaker whilst eating pizza.

Sounds like a Busman's holiday...

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