Is it normal to wear headphones in public?

The ones that fully cover your ears... I am considering putting them on when I go grocery shopping to block out the Christmas music. Will people think something's wrong with me and should I care?

Voting Results
82% Normal
Based on 28 votes (23 yes)
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Comments ( 18 )
  • Ummitsstillme

    I met a chick last night at the grocery store through commenting on our mutual disdain for the God awful Christmas music. There is a risk of missing out on positive interactions if you shut yourself out from the world.

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  • Nednerb43

    Thats weird because I do the same thing but its so I can listen to christmas music all year round

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  • Shackleford96

    To be less conspicuous, you might just put in some earplugs or maybe even some noise cancelling earbuds.

    I've actually considered doing this before, but I don't because, as others have noted, I wouldn't be able to hear everything else going on around me. What about deaf people though? They always have to be alert, and I seem to remember reading an article or two that said deaf people are on average better drivers too. So maybe it would be fine, you'd just have to make sure to be more focused on paying attention to your surroundings.

    On another note, this made me think of noise cancelling technology. Wouldn't it be great if it could be programmed to ONLY tune out music? I would buy into that so quick it's not even funny. So many places such as restaurants, grocery stores, hardware stores, shopping malls, doctors offices, etc. have music that I absolutely abhor. It bothers me more than anyone else that I know in real life and often causes me fatigue. I can't stand that so many people are ok with it. There's probably something wrong with me.

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  • Paigiepoo

    I keep one in , stay alert! Head in a swivel,. Let cars and bikes go, and jog across turn lanes... otherwise. Rock out

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  • OlaftheGreat

    Earbuds are crap. Full-size headphones are the best for accurately reproducing the sound. Tiny earbuds can't produce, or produce poorly, certain frequencies and the sound suffers as a result. I'd wear massive headphones too, the bigger speakers are just better.

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  • BlindSpot

    To block out that awful Christmas music? It'd be normal to not clean your ears for weeks in preparation to be deaf and save your ear canals from the vibrations of that shit!

    Seriously though, I hate when people use those big headphones, because it's like they are closed off from the world and I can't approach them without having to waive in their face like a flippin monkey :/

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  • leggs91200

    Stay alert, stay alive.

    Covering your ears could make you an easier target.

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  • Handyman

    It is becoming popular, but it looks ridiculous.

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  • megadriver

    Normal, whenever I'm alone, I always wear my earbud headphones. I like music and dislike city noise.

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  • nikkiclaire

    I hate when people wear headphones in public cause you never know if they can hear you. That being said, everyone does it so it's normal. I wouldn't worry about it.

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    • LornaMae

      You should always assume they can't because being left alone is clearly what they want. If Greta Garbo had lived in our times she wouldn't have needed to say she "Vanted to be left alone" and adopted the headphones. But only until she realized that people are completely unaware that you are trying to cancel them out and should just plain shut the fuck up.

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  • Columbusbiguy

    Have you been out in public in last 5 years? Everyone has something covering or jammed in their ears.

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  • Boojum

    Why should you care what others think? Your head and your headphones.

    As it happens, I think people who wear earbuds or headphones in public spaces are incredibly stupid, since it shuts out an important channel of information about what's going on around you - particularly behind you - and, whatever you may believe, listening to music is distracting. But if you don't mind getting blind-sided by some idiot teen racing a shopping cart down the aisle, you don't really care if some cretin has decided to shoot the place up, and you never worry about hearing fire alarms, then that's cool. What does it matter what I think, as long as you can enjoy your music?

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    • I have serious mental issues especially around the holidays. Christmas music drives me insane and makes me incredibly anxious to the point of almost vomiting. I guess I'll risk the physical injury or death by idiot teen.

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      • Boojum

        I find it very annoying, so I can understand. If it's the most sensible solution to your problem, then I wish you well. And, like I said, don't worry about what people think. If it helps you maintain your equilibrium, that's all that matters.

        Musak isn't that common or intrusive in shops in the UK, but when we went into our usual supermarket yesterday, they had Christmas crap blaring away. It's the coerced jollity that bugs me most. The noise didn't make us buy more, but rather made us hurry to get out of the place as soon as possible.

        On the topic of Musak, I was amused to notice on a visit to the nearest McDonald's a while back that they were playing classical music. They'd had a problem with teens hanging out in the place forever after buying a soft drink or single bag of fries, but strangely enough, they weren't any to be seen.

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      • nikkiclaire

        Why go out? I avoid shops during the holidays because of the people, the music, the peoole, did I mention the idiot people rushing about like lemmings, fighting to waste their money.

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        • megadriver

          I despise Christmas shopping, that's why I do it before the idiot stampede starts. Anything else I need, I order online.

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      • LornaMae

        Hahaha poor you! I hate Christmas music too but luckily I'm not living in the US anymore and we don't have that here. I'd risk death by teen as well.

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