Is it rude to wear headphones around a large department store? I'm not there to socialize but will greet the cashier every time.
Ok.. if it is rude, I may have to live with that label.
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16 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I have my headphones in, listening to podcasts mostly, or Hamilton, all the time in public spaces.
JeremyTaylor
Level 8
Oct 7, 2018
0
i don't think it's rude at all. sometimes i wear my headphones with no music just so people won't bother me if i'm in a foul mood
coralisthree
Level 8
Oct 7, 2018
1
I agree with this, except you shouldn't have to be in a foul mood even. (Not that I assume @coralisthree meant that exclusively.) Unless you have the music on so loudly it's encroaching on someone's personal space, I don't see how this could be considered rude.
@PolyWolf exactly, sometimes i do it to people watch 
@coralisthree Perv. Just kidding.
My son has his air pods in ALL the time. I have no idea if he’s paying attention to me or not. It’s to the point of driving me crazy.
I would expect if you don’t want to be bothered and as long as you are respectful at the cashier, it’s your business.
Green_eyes
Level 8
Oct 7, 2018
0
I've learned that for me it's more of a sensory issue, I get anxiety around people and stores are busy causing me to get distracted. If I don't have headphones in I forget to buy some basic necessities. Plus, I don't really like people that much but I always say "hello" if eye contact is made... I'm jaded and weird.
Joenobody
Level 5
Oct 7, 2018
0
I'm the same way. Too many distractions.
Also I'm not there to socialize. It's just another errand on my list.
I don’t think it is. Is it rude to connect to Bluetooth speaker displays in a store?
NothinnXpreVails
Level 8
Sep 21, 2018
2
Headphones and a Bluetooth speaker two different things no has to listen to your headphones
I wear headphones in public all the time. It's not as dangerous as people think if you're smart about it. If you're alone on a running trail, only wear one ear. If you're going down a dark alley, pause your music. If some creeper is trying to hit on you, turn it up louder and move on. Just be logical, but never give up on your music, especially if it helps in crowded shopping areas.
VaultGirl
Level 4
Sep 21, 2018
2
I would say no it lile people wear one the streets gym library everywhere so fuck it where them and out on the street its a good way to get mugged or hit by a car
Why would that be rude?... Why do you ask?
IamNobody
Level 8
Sep 21, 2018
1
Social opinion: Looks like it's a divided vote.
@Nichole765 well you got my vote for no, it is not rude ?
It is rude. However it's more rude to play music on external speakers.
Nos2342
Level 5
Sep 21, 2018
0
How is it rude? I like music, and I'm not in a store to socialize.
@VaultGirl "ubiquity of headphones just another emblem of catastrophic social decline, edging us even deeper into narcissism and unsociability."
@Nos2342 that is purely opinion, with no scholarly articles, valid studies, or any actual fact to back it up. Headphones saw a demand hike because there are more people and cheaper devices. There are almost twice as many millennials as there were boomers when they were 22-37. And that's not including Gen X and the upcoming generation who are 21 and younger.
I'd recommend something from the American Anthropological Association, Sociological associations, British Royal societies, Smithsonian Institution, and even the NIH that uses studies, peer review, and require validation.
@VaultGirl your correct it's not a peer reviewed article. I doubt the are many of those on the subject. Best I could find was :
And
And a few other Supporting opinions:
I don't see an issue with this. The only thing that ever drive me crazy in the service industry was people at the checkout on their phones. That shit is rude as hell.
rabidazzle
Level 5
Sep 21, 2018
2
Don't judge yourself! Live in the moment. One thing that I have noticed is that when you make eye contact and they pull the ear bud out of one ear... Its my time to say hi. If ya know what I mean???
DirtBagProfit
Level 3
Sep 21, 2018
0
I frequently wear ear buds and listen to music while I shop. It helps keep me calm and relaxed in the crowded stores and reduces my anxiety. I don't think it's rude at all. I do take them out when I go to check out or if I need to speak to an employee.
ErikaG
Level 5
Sep 21, 2018
0
This is the main reason why I started to do it. We only have two large grocery stores, and both are crowded during the day.
maybe rude, maybe not, but not wise. whether or not you're there to socialize, in a setting like that you want to be aware of your surroundings, and that includes using your senses, one of which you will be deliberately blocking off. you don't know what will happen out in public. mass shooting, small child asking where the bathroom is, whatever. i wouldn't want to go around in public deliberately impaired.
g
genessa
Level 8
Sep 21, 2018
1
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