To ask for opinions

[noidea02]

Just interested in views really. Would it annoy you if you were out for a walk in the woods and another walker was listening to music/podcasts on loudspeaker on their phone?

Yep. I hate it when people inflict their noise on others.

Walking through the woods, listening to the leaves rustling and birds singing is one of the deep joys of a sunny autumnal morning.

Some people can't wear any type due to medical conditions. A mum on here posted this applies to her child, so will also apply to adults, and if they're outside, you can move away from them. Just because they have a disability shouldn't mean they're excluded/unable to go just because a person who doesn't suffer from that disability is a bit annoyed. If they're doing it in the office, you can't move away so easily, but hopefully at least then you could choose to wear them or wfh.

If anyone is unable to use headphones, they don't have to, but they also don't have to play music or videos in public places. Wait until you get home. And what kind of person plays music out loud in an office? What kind of employer tolerates that?

Yes.

I'd probably just avoid them by taking a different route through the woods.

If they were walking alongside me blasting death metal I might take the hump.

If it was just loud enough for them to hear it themselves it would elicit a mild tut from me but nothing more. If it seemed unnecessarily loud I'd think they were a proper dick. People who take Bluetooth speakers with them up mountains in the Lake District should be shot on sight.

There is actually. The OP said ‘woods’ so not a public place in terms of footfall. Woods can be very isolated.

I walk my dog in remote woods. No fucking way am I wearing headphones so a man can approach me unawares.

I listen to podcasts on speaker. If I walk past someone I turn it down and turn it back up again when I’ve moved away.

I don't see it as being much different from a group of people talking or laughing loudly as they walk together. If it bothers someone, they can speed up or slow down to put some distance between themselves and the noise. Or take a different trail.. or go the other direction. Different if they're blasting it excessively loudly in a public place.

I don’t wear headphones due to safety. They block out the sound of someone approaching or bikes or cars, horses. Etc

I would never listen to a podcast on speaker in a cafe or on public transport, but woods?? Yeah that’s fine.

It's public as far as any deafened or freaked out wildlife is concerned

Seconded, with bells on

I actually do consider that the woods are a public place, but think that if you're not making excessive noise it's not a problem.

Would people be as annoyed if they came across two or three people talking as they walk?

Walking, no (although would judge harshly, especially if it’s loud enough to hear for a while after you’ve crossed paths).

Sitting somewhere, yes, very. If I’m in a place I’ve gone to for peace and quiet and some twat just plonks down nearby and invades my headspace, I’d say something.

Why would it be an issue. You’re not walking down a single file slim alley way with no other route, you’re in the woods. Go a different direction, slow down and let them walk ahead or speed up and get past them?

Not sure if it’s you with the issue or if someone had an issue with you but whoever is the moaner needs to unclench their bum hole.

Yes it would annoy me even if it was at conversational volume which it never seems to be - it’s unnecessary and selfish

It happens a lot these days so no point being bothered by it.
At least i know where they are in relation to me if i’m out there on my own …

Yes, it would annoy me. But I am getting old and grumpy.

I'd probably tut and glare / shake my head slightly. But wouldn't say anything.

There are animals with much better hearing than us that could be scared / shaken up.

The sound of a conversation and the sound of noise coming from a shitty phone speak are no comparable

Bone conductors are excellent for this. They sit in front of your ear so you can still hear anyone approaching. Might also work for those with medical issues.

I would be very annoyed as i go to the woods for peace and quiet in nature not to have some ignorant arsehole making a racket with music and/or podcasts. If they want to listen to that crap instead of nature they should use a set of headphones.

I'm going to hazard a guess that the OP is one of those types of people that would play music/podcasts when out on a walk without headphones.

I would be annoyed. It’s selfish to cause noise pollution in places where people go for peace and quiet, relaxation and being in nature.

Yes, it would be really annoying, but not as annoying as in a cafe or on a train where you can't just continue your walk and move away from them.

I’m the walker annoyed by the non-headphone use. Interesting split of views but seems most people are with me!

listening to music (or whatever) out loud in any public space is awful. It’s selfish and often, frankly, aggressive.
And the people doing it tend to react badly when asked to stop.

I don’t think there’s ever a good excuse for it either.

I’m strongly opposed to the death sentence, but there are occasions when selfish, inconsiderate people, like those that do this, that I change my mind.