Do You or Don’t You?

Do You or Don’t You?

It seems more and more prevalent everywhere I go. People live with ear pods in! I mean everywhere!!

A billion times I’ve seen people pull the plug out of their ears when a clerk asks them a question in the checkout line! Or anywhere someone is asking a question! Often, I did not know they were in their ear! I’ve done it to my older grands, husband, children and strangers. I don’t check people’s ears before I talk to them.

The world is changing! It seems from now on we need to be ear-checkers before we engage!

The thought has occurred to me, “Are they trying to multi-task?” “Do they not want to converse?” “Does something about it calm them?” “Does it allow them to exist in a different space?”

Obviously, I’m a “Don’t”!

First, I can’t ever get those things to stay in my ears!! I’ve tried many shapes and sizes; always default to over the ear listening devices, if I use them. It’s seldom! Those buggers drive me crazy … little by little, they gyrate out of my ears!

Family and friends have said, just try these, or these, or these … nope, they all wiggle their way out of my ear during the one instance where I decide they might have worth to me! Ughhh!

Second, I do not multitask well. I can’t listen to a book and do something else! I know people who walk around the house completing tasks like a ninja while reading a book in their ears!! When I’ve tried the same, I do not know what I just listened to, or the task gets done askew or not at all.

I can listen to things when I go for a walk, if I can solve the ear device problem. Literally, I just put one foot in front of the other and listen. Now that’s an enormous accomplishment. When I drive using my car radio I can tolerate podcasts, books and music. Yay for me. Basically, my brain is in neutral using learned automatic skills. I wouldn’t even consider it multitasking. Give me a heavy traffic situation and the volume gets turned way down. I need to focus.

Even buying groceries is a disaster. I can’t read an item list, walk through a store, collect said items, etc. and have somebody talk or even sing at me the whole time in my ear.

Music is a little different. I can listen to instrumental music or low background music. Playing it loud enough that I couldn’t hear another person talk to me is another story! My brain focuses on the lyrics or tries to anyway and pulls me away from tasks I attempt to accomplish.

Do I play music at my house? Yes, as background music, but not full blast unless I want to focus on that. And not in my ear.

What about playing a radio you might ask?

I admit having buds in is like listening to the radio, but honestly, I don’t listen to the radio much and never did. I know some people who would have the radio on 24/7 if it was up to them. It’s not like listening from a few feet away. It’s right in my ear next to my brain! Eventually, all of it sounds like annoying chatter. Very few podcasters’ voices appeal to my ears; the sound of their voice agitates me. (This could be a sign of some personal problems😬)

Maybe that’s my problem. I like peace and quiet. Perhaps that’s because it’s the best way I can focus on what I am attempting to do!

When I am “Chillaxin'”, as we say, and doing nothing, I welcome a little music or handpicked chatter. Airplanes are another place they are mega handy, especially long flights! I am definitely trying to tune out my surroundings!

Are you a “Do” or “Don’t”?

Are EarPods your best friends, use them everywhere?

Have to replace them as soon as they’re lost or give out?

Do your ears crave freedom from such devices?

I am likely in the minority, which is fine. It wouldn’t be the first time. I’ve never claimed to be normal or “hip”. It’s just one habit I can’t adopt. Maybe, it’s an ear problem or focus issue.

I don’t need things squawking at me in my ears. My brain needs some quiet to perform.

If I notice you out and about and detect your ears are occupied, no worries, I’ll just smile and wave. I know my manners: Talking is for emergencies!

Budless,