Do iPods piss you off?

[The Louche]

I can't stand the way everybody walks around with iPod earbuds jammed into their ears these days. I commute on the Metro (DC's subway) and it seems like 75% of the assholes on the train in the morning are listening to their iPod. I can't exactly put my finger on why this gives me heartburn, but it does. The thing is, it's not like I am some sort of anti-music whacko. Quite the opposite; I love music and am an ameture musician myself, having been proficient at 4 instruments and currently a 15 year drummer. Anyone else on board with me?

 

[javyn]

Yes, completely on board. I think second the the Walkman was invented the number of assholes in the world doubled.

 

[Piobaire]

Don't hate the iPod, hate the DB. I love my iPod, both hooked up to my vehicle's stereo and at home plugged into my living room or kitchen sound system.

On board with the DBs and the ear buds all the time though.

 

[gdl203]

Not as much as shiny wool

 

[MrG]

It doesn't bother me, but I'm one of those people who has my earbuds in when I'm traveling alone. I don't mean for this to sound snarky, but what would you prefer they be doing? I mean, would it make them somehow less annoying if they were sitting on the train in silence?

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by MrG

It doesn't bother me, but I'm one of those people who has my earbuds in when I'm traveling alone. I don't mean for this to sound snarky, but what would you prefer they be doing? I mean, would it make them somehow less annoying if they were sitting on the train in silence?

No mass transit where I'm at, but this wouldn't bother me. It's more the ones that always walk up to the counter and when the cashier talks to them, they have to say, "Wait a minute, iPod is on," and then have to hold up the line while they pull out the ear bud or turn the Pod off. I mean, really? You've never talked to the cashier before and couldn't anticipate you need to not have the Pod cranked up in your ears?

 

[dv3]

Originally Posted by The Louche

I can't stand the way everybody walks around with iPod earbuds jammed into their ears these days. I commute on the Metro (DC's subway) and it seems like 75% of the assholes on the train in the morning are listening to their iPod. I can't exactly put my finger on why this gives me heartburn, but it does. The thing is, it's not like I am some sort of anti-music whacko. Quite the opposite; I love music and am an ameture musician myself, having been proficient at 4 instruments and currently a 15 year drummer. Anyone else on board with me?

Ditto. I even ride the Metro! I don't know why people now have to be listening to music every f*#&ing second of the day. Gotta have my ipod, gotta have my ipod, gotta listen to the Shins!

I also have an iPod, but never wear my iPod to work nor do I ever exercise with my ipod. I won't claim to make the best use of my ipod, but I do use my ipod and I like it. iPod.

 

[mrkleen]

Originally Posted by The Louche

I can't stand the way everybody walks around with iPod earbuds jammed into their ears these days. I commute on the Metro (DC's subway) and it seems like 75% of the assholes on the train in the morning are listening to their iPod. I can't exactly put my finger on why this gives me heartburn, but it does. The thing is, it's not like I am some sort of anti-music whacko. Quite the opposite; I love music and am an ameture musician myself, having been proficient at 4 instruments and currently a 15 year drummer. Anyone else on board with me?

I don't get your point.

Are these people blocking the doors making it hard for you to get off the train? Are they singing to the music or otherwise invading your right to a quiet train ride home? Are they hot women that you are trying to strike up a conversation with, but cant?

If it is one of the above, then I can see your point. But if you just don't "like" that many people are blocking out the outside world to listen to music or podcasts - I say tough ****. I have plenty of friends already, I don't need to talk to people on the T.

 

[Teacher]

This seriously bothers you guys?

 

[kentukblue]

In a word....Yes. I live in podunk Kentucky and the iphone has just hit the over 50 crowd of rednecks around here. Its just something about a john deere camo iphone case that sets uneasy.

I heard a 50 year old woman at the local supermarket explain how she heard that you could blow into your iphone and check your blood alcohol levels.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by Teacher

This seriously bothers you guys?

+1.

 

[MrG]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

No mass transit where I'm at, but this wouldn't bother me. It's more the ones that always walk up to the counter and when the cashier talks to them, they have to say, "Wait a minute, iPod is on," and then have to hold up the line while they pull out the ear bud or turn the Pod off. I mean, really? You've never talked to the cashier before and couldn't anticipate you need to not have the Pod cranked up in your ears?

On this I agree. I have the same objection to people who talk on the phone while dealing with others. I have nothing against technology, but it's not a license to ignore common courtesy. It's really not that hard to disconnect for a moment in order to treat others like actual human beings.

 

[unjung]

Back when I rode the train, I always listened to music in the morning. Partly because I'm still half asleep and loud noises, shouting, screeching train wheels and the constant announcements would disturb my slumber, partly because otherwise I was a ripe target for accosting by any random drunk bum, religious nut, etc. In the mornings at least, I needed to be separated from the rest of the world.

 

[Thomas]

What's pissing me off about my ipod is that the battery life is down to 90 minutes at a stretch. If I forget to charge it the night prior, it dies during my morning run, and I can't have that happen!

 

[rjacobs]

solution for OP: look at them in the eye and say really loudly, "WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?" problem solved, and if desired, conversation started.