Hear, Hear
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Wasn’t it Hermann Göring: who reputedly said when I hear the word culture, I reach for my revolver? I feel the same way about earphones, well people wearing them outside to be exact.
There was a time when you could talk to people on the street, in shops, in the lift, at least in Dublin anyway, but now everyone is plugged into something, and the art of conversation with strangers is dead.
There was such joy to be had on even a short perambulation through the city, hailing passers-by with a hearty ‘good day’ and engaging one’s fellow man in a little light banter. But no more. Now the only reply is a blank stare. The lights are on, but the occupant is elsewhere. Is life so tedious we need constant distraction? Are we so fearful of being left alone with our thoughts?
And what of the dangers? I cycle every day, and I have no clue how it is done safely without the ability to hear what’s going on around you. It is my ears rather than my eyes which have saved me from many a nasty crash and, I do not doubt that many of the countless accidents I’ve witnessed have been caused by earphones!
Posted in response to @mariannewest's free write challenge
Image is my own
Howdy deirdyweirdy! I agree with you totally. It's astounding to me that no one seems to care if they can hear things around them or not! I think they're crazy. But what in the world is perambulation? I need a redneck translation for that one! Excellent freewrite by the way.
Thanks sweetie.
To perambulate is to stroll. I'm glad it taught you some English at least;)
Howdy deirdyweirdy! That's a great word but I can hardly pronounce it, let alone spell it so it might be awhile before I start using that one! lol..but thanks so much for the definition. Did you ever get moved?
Hear Hear! I agree with you 100%. I used to love to talk with strangers but now the strangers are strange.
Hahaha, well said! I've had some of my most interesting conversations with strangers. This earphone-wearing fashion is ruining my social life;)
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There was such joy to be had on even a short perambulation through the city, hailing passers-by with a hearty ‘good day’ and engaging one’s fellow man in a little light banter.
I love this description of how it used to be, before technology really.
I'm with you on those earphones in public, I do not feel safe anywhere with those things on, unless I'm listening closely to the music. Otherwise, why? I suppose to keep the beat while exercising makes some sense, but for that, I just sing while I walk.
Maybe it's just paranoia but I certainly prefer to be able to see and hear when on the street.
It's not paranoia, it's good sense. As you said, many of the mishaps I've avoided were because of something I heard. It's as important as being able to see. I feel very vulnerable with headphones on, and can't do it for even a minute.
Hear hear
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Hahaha, I knew someone would have to say that. I might have known it'd be you!
It was the only logical first response.. 🖖 live long and prosper on that bike..
Also, say hello to the headphone drone, repeatedly. And, reply back to the Bluetoother chatting with their hands free friend.. Never mind they're not talking to you, blanket statements like "that's bullshit and you know it" are my favourite interjection...
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Good tip! You're obviously an old hand at this. As to living long, it's unlikely. It's like demolition derby on the roads here.
HEADPHONES KILL
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/luas-releases-chilling-video-showing-16251803
Some of the incidents drivers continuously report include pedestrians jaywalking, never looking left and right, often with headphones in and heads down and motorists and cyclists breaking red lights.
There have also been seven incidents of contacts with pedestrians, with two of these resulting in a fatality.
Commuters are being reminded that trams cannot swerve, that they take time to break and stop, and coming into contact with one can result in a serious injury or death.
Scary video alright. So many numbskulls!
I'm one of those persons!
When I'm by myself, as for some reason it's deemed rude to listen to music while out with the kids! For me, earphones are a god-send, because I've never been good at talking to strangers. And I'm old enough to remember the world before mobile phones. It's not in my nature. A trip to the hair-dresser is hell for me, as I've got nothing to talk about with that lady. A waiting room? I still get to spend a lot of time waiting for my son at his activities, and there are other parents there... I cannot face the idea of talking to strangers, so I'm glad to be protected by ear-phones... The only thing I regret is that head-banging on the street is not socially acceptable.
While out with children is the only time I might consider wearing earphones!
I love to talk and feel very awkward if I'm in a room/lift where there is silence. We used to have quite a tradition here for chatting to strangers but sadly it's quickly dying.
As to headbangers, in the other sense of the word, we have loads of them in Dublin so you'd feel right at home here:)
I am a headphone wearer so none of your headphoneaphobia!. I sometimes wear them when I work in public on a sculpture and don't want to be disturbed. I ain't always listening to something, it's just a cone of silence to keep me focused on what I'm doing. But I do hate the people who wear 'Beats'
A cone of silence, well that sounds perfect so I suppose I can give you a pass.
Perhaps none of these earphone wearing buggers is listening to anything at all and they're just antisocial;)
I can be social but, I have my limits. Hope your keeping well Deirdy.