HuskerBoard

**NSFW**

@ZRod I would argue anyone with headphones in while existing in a public area is basically sending off the vibe of "HEY - don't talk to me."

I'm convinced people just don't notice them. Otherwise, I can't fathom a reason why someone would try to start a conversation with someone with headphones in.

@Enhance But you're at work...shouldn't you be available for conversation? Seems a bit standoffish to expect people to not converse with you simply because you'd rather listen to something else.

BTW, I'm in the 55+ demographic (barely) but I know what Airpods and small wireless earbuds are. I would just assume that what I might have to say to you at work is more important than some music or podcast. So likely they don't notice them or they figure screw it, I'm talking to him anyway. That's what I'd do.

We bug each other all the time at work when we have headphones in. People listen to music and are on calls all day, but we each have a million questions. Of they are on a legit call and talking obviously I would come back later

@JJ Husker if he works at a small company, maybe. He might work at a company where he only interacts with 5% of the people there, and he did mention that a stranger at the company talked to him.

I suppose it depends on the type of workplace and if a person has something relatively important to say. I imagine most workplaces require some frequent discussion between employees but, if that’s not the case, then I guess a person could have some expectation of not being talked to. A stranger whining about the treadmill probably doesn’t qualify as needing to interrupt a person’s listening to something else. I’ve never worked any place large enough to have strangers trying to BS with me.

Yikes...ageist post that screams of very strict conservative views against old people...

I kid I kid...it is nice to see people not freaking out and it is true that old people tend to suck with tech.

Even in a large corporation like the one I work at it's pretty weird for someone you don't know to try and start chit chat with you.

People think they're hearing aids so strangers talk to you to demonstrate understanding/sympathy of your handicap.

Forgive them. We'll be the "Olds" someday.

@JJ Husker here was the specific situation, to clarify (and situations similar to it happen with frequency):

Me: gets on elevator with AirPods in

Total stranger: gets on after me

Me: minding business, listening to podcast, looking ahead

Total stranger: goes to back of elevator (behind me) says "Phew - just a few laps around the building and I'm worn out. God you wouldn't think it's so easy to get tired huh?"

Me: doesn't realize she's talking to me until she's almost done, at which point I let out a fake polite laugh, agree with her and got off the elevator

If colleagues on my floor talk to me with them in, I'm generally OK with it because at least I know them. I also don't have headphones in all the time unless I'm heating up lunch/eating lunch/getting afternoon steps in. And I think you're right that I should be polite and I always am. But, personally, if I see someone with headphones in, particularly strangers, I don't try to strike up idle chit chat with them.

@Enhance Yeah that's a bit weird. You were more in a public area than at "work". She likely either didn't notice them or she's a bit oblivious. Maybe that jog around the building starved oxygen flow to her brain  :lol:

I really don't think it's a 55+ demo thing. Although I would guess that demo is a bit more likely to do what they're gonna do with less regard for what may annoy you.

Air pods are so easy to miss that I am not surprised you get random people trying to talk to you. If someone has earbuds in you can easily see cords or people who really jump out with over-the-ears headphones, but I don’t make a habit of looking at people’s ears before I speak to them. I have only one coworker I assume has air pods in when I see them after numerous times saying “Hi” or “What’s up?” only to see that he is actually on the phone because I missed the air pods.

I would guess, unless people get an obvious cue, just assume without a phone to your face you are eligible for chat depending on how they are feeling. BTW, I am not even that old…

If you don't want people to bother you, then wear something more obvious. I wear big old over-the-ear headphones when I'm trying to concentrate and not be bothered. And unsurpisingly, people don't bother me except with important stuff.

I'm definitely going to start talking to people wearing airpods now. When they get annoyed, I'll just say I was being polite in not mentioning their hearing aids.

Meanwhile, I was at an airport bar and the guy beside me had these in.  He's talking.  I'm assuming if someone has these in, they are either on a phone call or listening to music.  No...he's trying to have a conversation with me and then proceeds to act like I'm rude because I wouldn't answer back.

I personally think it looks stupid when people walk around with these things in when they aren't actually using them.  

@RedDenver I would end you.  :lol:

@BigRedBuster I agree. People who just casually walk around with them all the time are doing a total vanity ploy. I'll only have them in if it's going to be for a legitimate purpose, but I work with another person who pops them in almost every single time they get up, including to go to the rest room. Not really sure why.

@Enhance How good are those Airpods at blocking out ambient noise? Example; If my wife is watching TV and I'm in the same room watching something else on my iPad, would they do a fairly decent job? Currently I use over the ear noise cancelling headphones but it would be nice to eliminate the bulk sometimes.

^That's true love right there.

@JJ Husker they don't really block out ambient noise. The primary reason I got them is because of how well they integrate with all my Apple products and I've found I love having phone conversations on them. Great for multitasking and the sound quality on them (according to people on the other end of the line) is great. I was also looking for something that would be good for working out and they've done well in that regard.

I would say it certainly depends on your needs. If audio quality and noise cancellation are important factors, I would look elsewhere. But, if the above benefits I mentioned sound nice, then they're totally worth it.