People incapable of using headphones

[LyndaLaHughes]

I've just had an argument with someone in a cafe who took umbrage to me politely asking them to turn down the volume on a video they were watching with their whole group on full volume. Apparently, I'm rude for asking them to turn it down. Is this socially acceptable now? It's driving me mad- everywhere I go, people are incapable of using headphones and subject everyone else to their noise. I find I have zero tolerance for it and give a death stare until they get the message. So AIBU? Is this the norm now or are these people just selfish inconsiderate arses?

I’ve given up booking the quiet carriage on trains. It’s never bloody quiet.

Had a… discussion with a man in the quiet coach on LNER recently. He said it’s now the quietER coach so yes he can have a Teams meeting.

Totally unacceptable IMO - drives me insane. Walked out of a restaurant recently when staff wouldn't deal with the noise of someone's phone (not in the UK).

Why do games have sound effects? Almost the first thing I do when I’m playing something is switch them off.

Games are incredibly annoying!

'I've just had an argument with someone in a cafe who took umbrage to me politely asking them to turn down the volume on a video they were watching with their whole group on full volume.'

It's just beyond me that anybody thinks it's ok to behave like this. Increasing numbers of people seem to think that the entire world is their own front room, and have no concept of shared spaces in public.

You were very restrained asking them to turn it DOWN, they should have bloody well turned it OFF!

People in general are much more selfish and bad mannered than before COVID. It's rife on the buses and trains where I am, this behaviour. The number of times I've wanted to do something violent to their phones, especially on public transport....

See the ‘pyjamas a hotel breakfast’ thread for more 😂

Got given the death stare by a woman in A&E at 3am when I asked her to please turn her music videos down. It’s a freaking HOSPITAL, we are all unwell and we don’t want to hear Ricky Martin on a loop!

Yep, that's one of the reasons I don't use public transport any more.

Do you think it could become widely seen as socially unacceptable? Like smoking seems to be? Or even against the law like drinking on public transport? Serious question

I'd be tempted to lean right over their shoulder and watch it with them. I mean, why should you be deprived of seeing the picture when you can hear the sound?😄

Oh I hope so.

Me too. When I hear anyone playing anything without headphones in I think that either they, or if they're supervised by a adult, that adult, is an absolute world class dick-head. So very selfish.

'See the ‘pyjamas a hotel breakfast’ thread for more 😂'

Absolutely! Total mingers 🤢

There is a crying need for a small device which can turn off someone else's noise-maker. Whoever invents it will become a billionaire.

it's everywhere is so annoying - but what's also annoying is the British way of tutting at people who annoy them but not actually saying anything. Several times I've asked people to turn off music (mainly on the bus) only to have other passengers then join in with me to agree and argue with the perpetrator - but why do i always have to be the one to speak up first?? most of these are kids/teens (at least in my part of South London) and need to be told. Death stares aren't going to do anything.

Loving the South London Massive on here.

@Fedupwitheveryone I remember telling off some yoot on the tram and getting a good-natured "fuck off grandma" for my trouble. Honestly, made me proud.

You were lucky! I worry about getting decked! At the very least!

That wasn’t all that common. Also it was walking down the street or sometimes on a bus. Not in cafes, hospitals or waiting rooms.

I think eventually yes. I do think cafe owners or whoever need to action this a bit. Even a sign up to say no speakerphone etc. I think some places are so keen to not piss off some customers they don't notice that they are losing others over things like this

I think TFL needs to do something about this. And the train operators.

Downright rude and no need. Seems to have become the norm for people to have phone on loudspeaker and talk into the bottom of it everywhere as well. Surely when on the phone listen, speak, as designed to do? I really don't want to hear your conversation or see your caller on facetime as I'm bending over to get my bread, which u haven't noticed and stood in the way of for the past few minutes. Ffs be more aware and considerate! Rant over but oh I could go on..

So true, last time I booked one a bloke was on his phone talking loudly the whole journey! 😳

Also there is a new version of this where I live which is either riding a bike with large speaker attached, or the other day, a man riding an electric scooter sitting on a HUGE speaker baring as ghetto blasters of the past did.

I care way less about these people as they are moving fast enough away from me to be less annoying.