[Antares]

My parents often complain about the fact that I always have my headphones on, and some of my friends have told me that I don't like to talk when I'm listening to music. Does someone with their MP3 player on look anti-social? I know that to me, people with large headphones look quite shut off, but small earphones have never bothered me. Music is like an escape for me, and if I'm listening, it usually means I'm introspecting or simply relaxing, and I usually don't appreciate being disturbed in the process. Has MP3 players impacted your social life?

[Samoan Corleone]

After getting an ipod, my ipod headphones broke in about 2 weeks so I replaced them with these big headphones. I think that big headphones make one look less approachable. I never take my ipod with me when I'm going on a social outing though, just to and from school so that I have something to listen to when I'm in the library, so I can't say it's impacted my social life, unless anyone's ever tried to initiate conversation with me in the library (probably never happens).

[t3hrubikscube]

When I'm between classes at school, I always listen to music on my laptop with my headphones on. People still talk to me, though...I mean, they usually just want to know if someone's sitting in the chair next to/across from me, but occasionally they want to make small talk.

I smile a lot and apparently give off very friendly vibes, though, so that may have something to do with it.

[Silverity]

On transit I wear earbuds so that people won't sit down and talk to me (I've had numerous sketchy situations) and so on one hand I like the isolation factor.

On the other hand, I've pegged a few lads I wouldn't mind getting to know but because everyone is always tuned in and tuned out I don't feel comfortable approaching them. Sometimes I miss having spontaneous conversations with people.

As for my friends, none of us listen to our mp3 players when we're together. I don't really understand why people sit with their friends and then play/talk on their cellphones or listen to their music with no actual interaction between the people sitting beside them. It creeps me out a little, actually. Perhaps it's a generational difference, but I get together with my friends to talk with them.

[Takeru]

When I am with friends or talking to relatives/family, I usually do not listen to my ipod. When I am not with them however, anything goes, I just don't like having people bother me out of nowhere. This is especially true when it comes to the library. I can hear people across the library and it gets annoying when I for once do study in the college library.

If it was an acquaintance, I don't mind taking them off just to say hello and a small conversation before I go on my way back to listening to them again.

[Zhen]

my ipod earphones broke recently- and I had no spare not even mobile phone earphones. first day I went out without earphones my neighbour who I've lived across the hall from for 1.5 years spoke to me and said "I would have talked to you earlier but your ears are always plugged with earphones".

Plugging yourself into earphones is the same as keeping your cell phone turned off- major impact on social life- cos you're not open to socialising! In any case now that my Sennheisers arrived and I'm all plugged up again, I feel safe and snug again. If you want to socialise though definitely don't close yourself any more than your INTJ demeanour probably already does...I tend to use them as a social deterrent, when I am plugged in I know I am not obligated to talk- in a way it's quite rude- even in the store I have them plugged in when the check out chick is doing the bill...

[Hotpckts]

Always always always had my iPod anywhere I went during school. Always liked the fact that it made me seem less like a creeper when I would isolate myself from people in groups etc.

[Ice Wolf]

I can't live without that. Actually: I think people are much nicer to me. Last year my earphones broke down in the middle of a city, that were worst hours of my life. Mere thought of that day makes me shiver.

[NoOne]

I make audio-books for free downloading. I have an ipod classic 80 gigs, but I am also a single parent, so what is a social life? Sides, I have way too many things I want to accomplish before the lights go out.

One of the reasons I make the audio-books is because a lot of people do not have time to sit and read, like me they are moving constantly, or almost constantly.

And I suspect a great deal has to do with what one is listening to. If they are listening to things that will improve them, how can that be unsocial?

Sometimes I plug my puter into a boom box at work, and today I was informed that only crazy people listen to classical piano. Well, who would claim I am sane anyway?

[Mozzes]

I avoid listening to music on an ipod/mp3 player mostly because the playback quality is terrible even with flac files and quality headphones.

But generally, yes, people who listen to music in public do look "anti-social" and I always assume they don't want to be bothered.

[CaptainA]

Somewhat antisocial and occasionally downright rude. The judgmental part of me decides which.

But having said that I use mine often. Airlines, airports and such. Also often use them aboard ship if I am sharing a cabin (very rare). Once in a while I find someone I would like to talk to. It usually occurs in that period when no electronics are allowed during take off. In that case I may not put in the buds, at least as soon.

[NoOne]

	Originally Posted by Mozzes To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	.But generally, yes, people who listen to music in public do look "anti-social" and I always assume they don't want to be bothered.

A lot of people state similar resposes, it boils down to, if the people around me are not ready at a moments notice to notice me, they are antisocial. These are strange ideas to me.

I thought that the ability to control sensory input was more inline with personal abilty-personal choice-personal expression of self-will.

And then look at the consistency of the judgment, if one believes in a "God" how unsocial has it appeared that it has been--yet few mentions that.

[Ice Wolf]

	Originally Posted by Mozzes To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	But generally, yes, people who listen to music in public do look "anti-social" and I always assume they don't want to be bothered.

Unfortunately there are still morons in this world who didn't got that. At least that was annoying lesson of this day.

	Originally Posted by Mozzes To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I avoid listening to music on an ipod/mp3 player mostly because the playback quality is terrible even with flac files and quality headphones.

I've tested couple of players and honestly: ipod had the crappiest sound quality. Well almost, there was actually a 20Eur player which sounded a bit worse.

[Ikulus]

Yeah that's definitely the impression it gives me. I think it's really a shame how many people wander around now, oblivious to the world around them. And I think they do it on purpose to avoid social interaction. I see it on buses, in the elevator of my building, on the street...

And then I think, well, yes, they are blocking social interaction from people like me. Because it would be awkward and pointless.

Even with that in my mind I'd like to see people more interested in daily life. Bit of a pipe dream though.

[hidden]

I'm already somewhat anti-social, especially at work. When I am at work...I am here to work. not socialize or chit chat or talk or any of those other things. My mp3 player and my noise cancellation earbuds help to minimize the white noise that I can pick up, it also helps to drown out conversations that I don't want nor do I care to be a part of. But I do believe that it makes me unapproachable...to a degree...when I have my music on.

[vash]

	Originally Posted by Ikulus To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	people wander around now, oblivious to the world around them. And I think they do it on purpose to avoid social interaction. I see it on buses, in the elevator of my building, on the street... And then I think, well, yes, they are blocking social interaction

Yep!!!!! That just about describes me. Pocket music players make life around people bearable.

[athenian200]

I think that they can make it easier to avoid interaction, which can be a bonus in some situations.

However, they also make people more dependent on the Internet and situations where people HAVE to work together for interaction. There's a lot less interaction with people you don't know, or unplanned interaction.

[Pachystima]

Originally Posted by Antares To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

My parents often complain about the fact that I always have my headphones on, and some of my friends have told me that I don't like to talk when I'm listening to music. Does someone with their MP3 player on look anti-social? I know that to me, people with large headphones look quite shut off, but small earphones have never bothered me. Music is like an escape for me, and if I'm listening, it usually means I'm introspecting or simply relaxing, and I usually don't appreciate being disturbed in the process. Has MP3 players impacted your social life?

I know that in my part of the world, I see a lot of young people wearing headsets pretty much 24/7. I have assumed that often the music was turned off and that the headset was just another sort of fashion statement like baggy shorts or tongue studs; something most folks eventually outgrow. To me, as an old fart, they don't look antisocial, they just look a little silly. But, that is the way the world works.

I am not being critical and I assume that you mean it when you say that you always have your headphones on and music is like an escape for you. Thus, from my perspective, it appears as though you are always escaping or avoiding reality. You may wish to find out why. Trying to avoid reality during all your waking hours is not the most healthful of behaviors.

[JoshuaFairtex]

Anytime I leave my house and go ANYWHERE alone I always have my headphones and Ipod going. Bus, Metro, Gym, anywhere doesn't matter and I have my ipod on. I've actually noticed if I have my Ipod going I don't get my social anxiety, it's only when I can hear the world around me is when I get anxiety.. weird actually i've never thought of this before.

[vash]

	Originally Posted by Pachystima To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Trying to avoid reality during all your waking hours is not the most healthful of behaviors.

"It is no sign of [good] mental health to be well-adjusted to an insane world." (Dalai Lama)