When I have headphones on, they are one for a reason: not paying attention to you. For some reason people, especially here in Poland, do not seem to understand this simple facet of life.
Many times when I’m on the train someone starts talking to me, for whatever reason, and keep on talking even though I am blatantly giving them this blank stare like a deer in the headlights AND I have my headphones in my ears. I love music and it sure as heck helps pass the time on those horrid trains on a almost 5 hour ride from Wroclaw to Krakow.
I have come up with several scientific theories that postulate as to why people seem to keep on talking even though I have headphones on:
- They do not understand the technology.
- Ear phones (these are the ones that go into your ear) are not a technology they have ever seen so they think you are a cyborg and thus can hear everything.
- American (fast) food as infected their brains and therefore they aren’t capable of processing information.
- They care less about you than you care about them and therefore they will speak as if they can always be heard.
- The world is ending in two seconds and therefore their message must be heard NOW!
- They are aliens from another planet who do not understand modern technology.
What I love the most about these situations is that the people always, ALWAYS get angry when I take out the earphones and ask them to repeat (because obviously I couldn’t hear a word they were saying). Ah, the joys people bring to me life.
Let me be clear here, I’m not ignoring you on purpose. Well actually, ok. I lied. Yes I am ignoring you because I don’t know you and my music is the only thing keeping me sane on the long train rides. But the point is:
Is it so hard to tap me on the shoulder/poke me with a sharp pointy stick/wave your hand in front of my face/toss a paper ball at me to get my attention first before speaking to me? <sigh>
I believe that to be common sense and courteous. Maybe I’m over critical and have been analyzing human behavior too much … dunno.
So if you ever are stuck on a long trip with me and I’m listening to music with my headphones on, it’s best to get my attention first before chit-chatting with me.
Have you ever had an experience like that? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your stories!
[image: this is from a shirt on Zazzle (none affiliate link) to the shirt: http://www.zazzle.com/of_course_im_ignoring_you_tshirt-235000294231817695]
What are your thoughts about this? Let me know in the comments below!
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