Perhaps this is more of a “big picture” life question than something specific to airports and airplanes. Heck, maybe I just need to see a therapist and figure out why this gets on my nerves so much. I figure I’m not alone, though, so I’m curious how the OMAAT community feels about this…
In this post:
Frustration with people not using headphones in public
For some reason, a surprising number of people think it’s appropriate to do various activities without headphones in public — this includes video calls, playing video games, watching TV shows, or even blasting music.
Frankly I don’t get it. At all. I don’t expect the whole world to be like Japan, but how is it that a not-insignificant number of people think this is appropriate? It’s bad enough to do this in public or in a terminal, but it’s even worse to do it on a plane (which is a confined space where you can’t leave) or an airport lounge (which is supposed to be a place to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of the terminal… well, in theory).
While the noise is frustrating enough as is, I think what really gets to me is how selfish it comes across. What goes through someone’s mind when they watch TV clips on their phone at full volume without headphones? As someone who lives in Miami, I find this to be the biggest issue when flying to & from my home airport, as it’s just an accepted practice there. However, it’s hardly the only place where this happens.
Some annoying examples, as this is a global issue
At Miami Airport, it’s just totally common to be there at 6AM in the Admirals Club, witnessing everything from someone conducting a video call without headphones, to someone watching a video of soccer game highlights without headphones (in Spanish, of course, so you get to hear the “GOAAAAAAAAL” being yelled constantly), to someone playing a shooting video game without headphones.
In fairness, though, this isn’t exclusive to Miami. For example, during a recent extended layover at Ho Chi Minh City Airport, I witnessed much of the same. Several people in the lounge were having (what sounded like — my Vietnamese is a little rusty) extended phone calls with family and friends, where one can hear everything being said on both sides of the conversation (well, assuming you speak Vietnamese). You’ll be shocked to hear the guy having the loudest conversation also had his feet on a table with his shoes off. Nice.
Half the time I’m not sure what I find worse — the lack of respect for others, or the complete lack of any desire for confidentiality with whatever matters they’re dealing with on the phone or video call. I don’t typically invite strangers in on my phone calls.
Even after boarding my Emirates flight in Ho Chi Minh City, I witnessed a couple of business class passengers making extended phone calls on speakerphone, and those didn’t stop until the crew asked them to put their phones away for departure.
While I’m randomly ranting, can I also mention how annoying those people are who feel the need to pace around the lounge while making phone calls? It’s typically also the people who talk the loudest while on the phone. Sure, please, don’t just annoy a section of the lounge, annoy everyone!
How do you deal with these total jerks, if at all?
I’m curious how y’all feel about this. Am I off base for finding not using headphones in public to be terribly inappropriate, or am I in the minority and need to get over myself?
Some might say “well just put on a pair of noise canceling headphones.” Practically speaking, that doesn’t work all that well. Noise canceling headphones typically do a great job canceling out consistent noises (like the sound of aircraft engines), while they don’t do a great job canceling out other audio, like people talking, music, etc.
If you’re as annoyed by this stuff as I am, what’s the correct way to deal with it? I’m a much more passive person than I used to be. I avoid conflicts at almost any cost, because I’m just damn tired and don’t think they’re worth it. But I also hate myself for not saying anything, if that makes sense.
So what’s the correct thing to do?
- Not say anything, and just deal with it? That’s what I’ve been doing, but I’m also irked, so…
- Say something directly to the person? This would be the most satisfying, but is also most likely to lead to a confrontation, which I’m looking to avoid
- Bring it to the attention of the flight attendant and lounge staff? I hate putting them in an uncomfortable situation, and sometimes it can be hard to handle this subtly
- Buy headphones in bulk, and passive aggressively hand them out as needed? This actually seems sorta fun and productive 😉
- Take the “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” approach, and simply blast something louder than the person who is being annoying, or make a phone call even louder, to prove a point? I can’t decide whether this would work well or lead to a bad situation
I recognize I’m probably not going to be able to change the world and get people to stop being so selfish. However, it feels good to at least be able to talk about it, in hopes of me not being alone in feeling this way.
Bottom line
For whatever reason, some people seem to think it’s totally acceptable to blast their phone calls, TV shows, music, and video games, for everyone on an airplane and in an airport to hear. The public at large not being terribly considerate of others is nothing new, so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. But somehow this still really irks me…
Anyone else as annoyed by this practice as I am? If so, how do you deal with it, if at all? How do we solve this issue, or how do we at least find zen?
As disappointed as I am with the decline of American Airlines generally, I do appreciate the “quiet cabin” announcement that they make on every flight. That seems to work pretty well. There is a cultural difference here too in that the no headphones-thing appears to be widely accepted in Asian and Latin cultures. If I’m in Asia or Latin America, I just have to make do.
I usually take a 3 step approach:
1. Attempt to make eye contact with the person to give a visual que. Sometimes people don't realize their speakerphone is on (either they are hard of hearing or truly oblivious).
2. After 60 seconds or so, I will motion to them with both of my hands to put headphones on.
3. Depending on the environment (lounge, plane, public transit, restaurant, etc), I will either...
I usually take a 3 step approach:
1. Attempt to make eye contact with the person to give a visual que. Sometimes people don't realize their speakerphone is on (either they are hard of hearing or truly oblivious).
2. After 60 seconds or so, I will motion to them with both of my hands to put headphones on.
3. Depending on the environment (lounge, plane, public transit, restaurant, etc), I will either politely approach the person or ask a member of the staff to remind the guest of the rules.
Unfortunately, Step 3 doesn't always work -- either because there are no staff around or the person is a total jerk. As someone who is susceptible to migraines, the tinny sound of a speakerphone is a major trigger -- I can literally hear it from across a room/train/plane. I think the easiest way to solve for this is to have signage all over the place reminding people this is an electronic noise free zone or hand people a card upon entry with similar messaging. If businesses/places refuse to enforce maintaining a nice environment, they should bear the responsibility of complaints/bad reviews.
...on the cardio machines in the fitness centre.
A lot of this is down to the lounge in question (and its clientele, likely, especially if it's an O&D heavy lounge). Spent a few hours at the BOS E SkyClub this weekend and there was no sound from other patrons' cell phones.
Even the Schengen Crown Lounge at AMS, while far more crowded than the SkyClub, was observing good electronic etiquette.
It's called noise pollution.
have you ever been in a Chinese airport? they are the worst. Without speakers. they all speak VERY LOUD
Remember very well the days before wi fi etc, the bliss of getting away from everything for the duration. Absolutely hate the idiots who shout and two way conversations out loud.
Will there soon be a premium for zero Wi-Fi flights?
It is everywhere, constantly. I just walk up to them and ask them to use a headphone or stop talking since I do not want to be forced to listen to their conversation. That normally solves the issue very quickly.
There need to be announcements and signs in the lounges and planes that loud speaking/ telephone calls are not tolerated to keep a comfortable environment for everybody.
The WiFi above the clouds ruins a lot.
I agree this issue has to be addressed. First of all,it shows total disrespect the person has for people around. With loud conversation,this affects my concentration reading etc and cannot sleep either. As it stands,the only approach is to inform the person in charge,to do something about it. If I retaliate by shouting in my phone,then what will the third person around do!
Just here to say, like everyone else. This is rude and I hate it. I generally try glaring but it's not effective. However, I was in the AF lounge and a guy was sitting next to me watching videos on his phone. My wife called and I proceeded to loudly tell her what an ass he was being... At least he got up and moved.
I always make a point to approach the person and ask them to use their headphones. I am OK with mild confrontation but what are they going to do about. Tell the lounge attendant? I feel that the public should also feel free to engage with the call as well. If we are going to hear the call we might as well say hi to the people on the other side of the line!
Quick chop to the perps throat and problem solved. If you will not do that you just have to suck it up. Those people are like Trump. Only care about themselves. Once I followed a guy and laughed and said “right on right on.” “Alright alright alright.” I was maybe a foot away from him. There was a nasty argument. I said i enjoy annoying him just like he annoys me and all the others who listened to him. He was a real clown. And refused to dance with me!
I keep a couple of cheap earphones with me to give away, less useful these days with the removal of earphone sockets on phones. Toddlers playing noisy games on iPads, that can go on for hours is really unfair to those around them - the variable sharp noises penetrate even noise cancelling headphones. Qantas is dumping video screens and headsets in its aircraft, forcing people onto their phones - aargh. Qatar’s idiot safety video that...
I keep a couple of cheap earphones with me to give away, less useful these days with the removal of earphone sockets on phones. Toddlers playing noisy games on iPads, that can go on for hours is really unfair to those around them - the variable sharp noises penetrate even noise cancelling headphones. Qantas is dumping video screens and headsets in its aircraft, forcing people onto their phones - aargh. Qatar’s idiot safety video that shows off their connectivity with a comedian making a stupendously loud speakerphone call from his seat - double aargh. I do say something these days, polite but firm. Often get the look of death, but don’t care. We do not want to have your choice of crap music blasting through a distorting tizzy phone speaker imposed on us. The Qatar chief on our last flight said to always say something to the crew, they will ask the offender to cut it out. Although apparently, some people simply won’t follow the crews instruction.
What do they do when they can’t plug the headphones in?
This is possibly the one thing that annoys me the most! I would rather sit next to a murderer who is wearing headphones than someone who doesn't.
I think it is a mix of selfishness but also genuine ignorance and people not realising. Regardless the only way we can start to change this behavior is to say something either directly or indirectly through a staff member etc.
I also disagree with people saying don't tell...
This is possibly the one thing that annoys me the most! I would rather sit next to a murderer who is wearing headphones than someone who doesn't.
I think it is a mix of selfishness but also genuine ignorance and people not realising. Regardless the only way we can start to change this behavior is to say something either directly or indirectly through a staff member etc.
I also disagree with people saying don't tell FA etc. - it is quite literally their job, they are getting paid to be there and provide safety/service. If FA or waiter etc doesn't do anything then it is a job for an airline survey complaint or negative google review explaining what happened.
It does feel like one of these things punishable with summary execution.
So one doesn't have to speak or understand Vietnamese ( or any other language) to recognize a multi party conversation on speaker phone. You have ears, chances are you can hear it.
And it annoys me to no end. I have no idea why people think everyone within earshot wants to hear what they're listening to. It just goes to show you that one doesn't need class to fly First or Business. I don't know...
So one doesn't have to speak or understand Vietnamese ( or any other language) to recognize a multi party conversation on speaker phone. You have ears, chances are you can hear it.
And it annoys me to no end. I have no idea why people think everyone within earshot wants to hear what they're listening to. It just goes to show you that one doesn't need class to fly First or Business. I don't know how airlines go about adopting new policies....I would tend to go to Twitter/Threads and make a big stink about it. They need to know that if they want to cos play giving an elite or exclusive experience, then they should make sure passengers know that their participation and cooperation is necessary. The airline can't give the service if the passengers didn't get the memo. Personally, I think there should be a policy with some kind of repercussion when in a lounge or on the plane. I'm really not sure what they can do when amongst the hoi polloi
I just stare at them and participate in the conversation by laughing, nodding or shaking my head.
I had an argument with a dude on our commuter light rail over this. I asked the guy to lower his phone or put on headphones. He said he and i are the only ones on the train what's the big deal and that the train announcer is louder than him. Somehow he thinks that justifies it. I pointed to the No loud music sign. He did not care. I said I listen to the...
I had an argument with a dude on our commuter light rail over this. I asked the guy to lower his phone or put on headphones. He said he and i are the only ones on the train what's the big deal and that the train announcer is louder than him. Somehow he thinks that justifies it. I pointed to the No loud music sign. He did not care. I said I listen to the conductor I don't need to hear your bollywood music videos. He still didn't care. So I sat down right next to him, loaded up some gay pr0n ask him to critique it. Now why does it get to the point of guys plowing to resolve this.
Another one I can't stand is the phone call on the bathroom stall. I make it a point to flush as many times as I can while I'm there. Sometimes two or three empty stalls just for shits and giggles.
This is the biggest problem with on board wifi, I sat next to a pig of a lady on a flight from KL to Melbourne who watched tik tok, Instagram and constant video calls all on speaker for the duration of the flight. The phone being passed around to her family to show the whole village she was on the plane and it had wifi. I constantly reminded her she was on a plane and...
This is the biggest problem with on board wifi, I sat next to a pig of a lady on a flight from KL to Melbourne who watched tik tok, Instagram and constant video calls all on speaker for the duration of the flight. The phone being passed around to her family to show the whole village she was on the plane and it had wifi. I constantly reminded her she was on a plane and people were trying to relax and sleep without hearing you're conversations. She went quiet for 30 minutes and then i was woken up with her screaming into her phone on another video call. Annoying
I definitely hate it as much as Ben does.
It would be exhausting but most satisfying to follow those pacing folks (especially) around with a portable speaker blasting club music while they try to have their loud conversations...
Practically, confronting every self-important, oblivious, rude person would be exhausting even if they all speak your language. And they're not worth that much of your life. So I'd say involve lounge or cabin staff.
Recently we were in 3A and 3B on an AA flight. Guys in 2A and 2B were strangers to each other but were soon besties - and talking waaaaay too loudly. Shouting and belly-laughing, really, and we hadn’t even taken off yet. Guy in 1A gets up, walks back one row, and quietly asks them if they plan to talk that loudly the entire flight. No FA involvement. They whispered the entire 4-hour flight. Luckily, a great outcome.
Like your experience in the Admirals lounge, I experienced this in the BA Lounge in Heathrow a few days ago. Im pretty sure the middle aged chap on speakerphone thought ‘look at me doing business’, when in fact people were looking and thinking what an idiot. His wife (or significant other) who appeared and sat opposite him half way through the conversation didn’t ask him to tone it down. His seat didn’t have power and...
Like your experience in the Admirals lounge, I experienced this in the BA Lounge in Heathrow a few days ago. Im pretty sure the middle aged chap on speakerphone thought ‘look at me doing business’, when in fact people were looking and thinking what an idiot. His wife (or significant other) who appeared and sat opposite him half way through the conversation didn’t ask him to tone it down. His seat didn’t have power and he later came looking for an outlet near me so I told him the power sockets weren’t working ;) Unfortunately we have an increasingly self absorbed/selfish population ….
This is the only sort of situation I've ever had any kind of malicious revenge on a stranger. A couple of years ago when flying out of MEL, there was this obnoxiously loud guy having a conversation on speakerphone in the Virgin Australia lounge. He worked for one of the big 4 consultancies and was having what was clearly meant to be a confidential conversation with a client.
Instead of wasting the mental energy of...
This is the only sort of situation I've ever had any kind of malicious revenge on a stranger. A couple of years ago when flying out of MEL, there was this obnoxiously loud guy having a conversation on speakerphone in the Virgin Australia lounge. He worked for one of the big 4 consultancies and was having what was clearly meant to be a confidential conversation with a client.
Instead of wasting the mental energy of just telling him to shut up (which is what I probably should have done), I instead emailed the consultancy with a message offering my (totally unqualified) insights into the issue their associate "John" was working on with client X. I also added how thoughtful it was of "John" to have this conversation in a public area so that others might be given the opportunity to contribute to problem solving in this field.
I never received a reply but I like to think he got a smack on the wrist for this at the very least. I know this was petty, but I also kinda don't regret it. Does that make me a bad person? Maybe, but it also felt perfectly justified.
I work in the same field, and I have heard some genuinely useful commercially sensitive information from conversations my firm's competitors were indiscreet enough to have in airport lounges!
Love this - I have done something similar before!
Genial!!!
"What goes through someone’s mind" - NOTHING!
It drives me CRAZ-Eeeee!!!!!!
Sometimes, I’ll say something to the person. Other times, I leave and go to another area of the lounge, etc.
People have ZERO respect for others these days. It’s a shame.
Where is the HK Viagra guy when you need him? I hope people on speakers would annoy him at least as much as the self-serve kiosks.
Made me lol
I get as annoyed as you do. This is unacceptable inside public areas and especially onboard aircraft, at all times. I’ve been in Hotel private lounges and some people think it’s an extension of the hotel room. On my recent AA flights, F/A’s do a great job of announcing the “no speakers policy” and headphones must be used, Period. Unless the management of any Airline, Hotel etc enforces this policy to the fullest extent, there...
I get as annoyed as you do. This is unacceptable inside public areas and especially onboard aircraft, at all times. I’ve been in Hotel private lounges and some people think it’s an extension of the hotel room. On my recent AA flights, F/A’s do a great job of announcing the “no speakers policy” and headphones must be used, Period. Unless the management of any Airline, Hotel etc enforces this policy to the fullest extent, there will always be those “entitled” people who think they are exempt. Important to notify F/A’s or Lounge Attendants ASAP to get this properly handled. There comes a point where a stand must be taken, in the proper and respectful manner.
i'm totally onboard with you Ben and most of the posters. Although most of us who post on here are probably traveling in a premium cabin, i am never shy so if its an overnight flight I am comfortable to directly chat with a fellow customer infractioner. I don't want to put that on the crew unless it escalates. United, who I pretty much exclusively fly, does make an announcement on all flights to use...
i'm totally onboard with you Ben and most of the posters. Although most of us who post on here are probably traveling in a premium cabin, i am never shy so if its an overnight flight I am comfortable to directly chat with a fellow customer infractioner. I don't want to put that on the crew unless it escalates. United, who I pretty much exclusively fly, does make an announcement on all flights to use headphones and offers up the blue headphones free of charge for customers who for whatever reason don't have any earbuds or headphones. I'm not going to give my thoughts on pax who think it is fine to entertain themselves without headphones, other than we live in the land of the free! It's not always perfect!
What’s a more common annoyance than people who won’t wear headphones? People who give their toddlers noisy electronic games to keep them busy, or allow toddlers to scream, cry or run free in public places! Ben, I realize that you’re a proud parent, but children under 10 should’ve banned from business class and lounges - these are places of refuge.
I absolutely agree - most of the time whenever I hear something on speaker in a plane or something, it is coming from a child. Completely unacceptable, as a schoolteacher this is actually something I have spoken to my students about - never having something on speaker in a public confined space like a plane.
I used to give out the disposable headphones you get at gyms saying you must have forgot your headphones, here you go.
If I am able to get close to the person (e.g., if they're sitting in a lounge and I can walk next to them) and I'm with someone who is comfortable with the idea, I like to start a really loud conversation with my travel companion right next to their speakerphone call. Invariably, the person looks over, incensed, without seeing the irony. I only do the same to someone with music or video games if...
If I am able to get close to the person (e.g., if they're sitting in a lounge and I can walk next to them) and I'm with someone who is comfortable with the idea, I like to start a really loud conversation with my travel companion right next to their speakerphone call. Invariably, the person looks over, incensed, without seeing the irony. I only do the same to someone with music or video games if I'm not in a lounge; pull up next to the person and blare my music louder than theirs. 100% of the time, I get a reaction, but most of the time it's just to move and not actually to stop what they're doing. SMH.
That happens everywhere (never been in Japan or Nordics) but I always try to speak with the person politely. I just explain them that its very annoying and imagine if everyone decide to do the same etc etc. So please, dont do it.
We know its ridiculous but in my case, 100% of situations the problem was solved.
This above all else drives me crazy. I was in a theater yesterday and the woman in front of me started FaceTiming with someone during intermission. You often hear people blasting their phones on the trains in the NYC area.
I’ve also had confrontations when asking people to turn it down so what I do now is the following.
I have noise cancelling headphones in my laptop bag. I wear them with ear...
This above all else drives me crazy. I was in a theater yesterday and the woman in front of me started FaceTiming with someone during intermission. You often hear people blasting their phones on the trains in the NYC area.
I’ve also had confrontations when asking people to turn it down so what I do now is the following.
I have noise cancelling headphones in my laptop bag. I wear them with ear plugs and then I have downloaded white noise tracks. If I do that I hear basically nothing.
If I don’t have my headphones (like in the theater) I ask the person if they have any headphones. If they say no I ask them to turn it down. 90% of the time that does the trick.
If neither of the above works then I generally try to leave the area. If I am in an airport lounge I leave and find a quiet gate. If I am in a train I move to another car.
I find people who don’t use headphones about the rudest people in the world. I don’t understand why they think it’s acceptable.
If the other side of conversation is a woman - ask the guy if he's talking to the wife or mistress?
If it's a businessman, ask the name of the company and which deal they are discussing so you can make a note to share with competitors.
Same problem in another area some skiers and boarders have decided it’s totally appropriate to ride around the mountain with Bluetooth speakers in backpacks blasting their ‘music’ in lifelines and everywhere they travel on the hill. Only thing I saw to combat this was a sticker a friend made dozens of and passed out that says’We don’t want to hear your music. Get some headphones.’ I have one of these on the tip of one...
Same problem in another area some skiers and boarders have decided it’s totally appropriate to ride around the mountain with Bluetooth speakers in backpacks blasting their ‘music’ in lifelines and everywhere they travel on the hill. Only thing I saw to combat this was a sticker a friend made dozens of and passed out that says’We don’t want to hear your music. Get some headphones.’ I have one of these on the tip of one of my skis. Maybe you could have similar cards printers and hand them out to offenders.
I stare at them until they look at me where I make it clear that they need to cut it out. I have been know to ask them to kill the speakerphone. The situation usually gets uncomfortable, but the speakerphone behavior needs to be stopped. It really, really irks me. It happens everywhere, planes trains, restaurants, parks, etc,
Frankly, i'd rather hear someone's music than their tedious mundane conversations about what they had for dinner last night or their kid's practice schedule. Don't they realize everyone can hear them talking.
Spent two hours last night on a LATAM plane at Sao Paolo (air space closed due to drones), listening to at least half a dozen peoples' phones within 3 or 4 rows of us. not happy as it was the last 4 hours of a 32 hour journey
One reason I really, really dislike good WiFi getting on more planes. Phone conversations and facetime - seriously meatbags, whats the need to SEEE the other party constantly - while at your seat. Lovely. Can get away from it in a terminal, train, lounge. Not so much when someone - age doesn't matter - in 7K has a 45 minute conversation.
lol yes. The worst is when the Facetiming passenger says "hey..... I'm on the plane." Yeah, not $hit, Sherlock... "hey, we just boarded..."
It's infuriating!!! Completely empathize with this. I have no issue asking someone to use headphones. I find that people are usually unaware. Occasionally the response isn't great. But I do disagree though...yes, everywhere should be like Japan :-P
What people?
Shhhh people will accuse you of racism.
Oh I haaaaaaate the complete unawareness of it all.
Talking loudly (performing I call it),
By having others listen to their lives and what they think in a crowded airplane.
Noise canceling headphones even in the airport itself.
Too many people feel this urge to fill quiet spaces filled with people.
It’s psychological.
As they can’t control themselves.
They must perform.
BKK Airport thai biz class lounge: some idiot thought its fine to have a conference call with his phone on speaker in the middle of the lounge whilst he ate breakfast. It was clearly disturbing everyone around him. After a few minutes, I called him out on it and he ignored me, continued the call. I spoke loudly at him a few times saying how inconsiderate he was then I left. Others followed me out, crazy.
The other day whilst in a cafe, I heard someone reading out her family name, BA airline booking references and the last 4 digits of a credit card.
My phone is always on silent as vibrate is sufficient. If I need to take a call I will go somewhere quiet. If I can’t, I’ll chat via message or WhatsApp.
As for music and videos, earbuds are very cheap nowadays. It’s bad enough on a bus or train, where there’s a fear of asking people in case they get assaulted.
In the Air France KLM lounge at SFO, someone was doing this. Tablet at full blast watching something with cars revving the whole time. After my meal I passed gas right in his face, lingered for a moment while I pretended to grab something out of my pocket, then turned around and looked him in the eyes. Not sure if he figured out why I did it but his face showed that he smelled it.
I read your blog every day, Ben, and am a fan. This is my first comment. I agree 1000% with you that this is a huge issue. I just flew back from MIA-PHL Saturday on an AA flight. A guy in 3A was making a phone call mid-flight for several minutes (I assume using WiFi). The flight attendant, who otherwise was excellent, and was in the first cabin quite a bit, said nothing to him. More than annoying and clearly blatantly illegal.
I am a short individual with a Pacemaker who was warned by Medtronic in order to wear Wired Headphones they must be kept at least 6 inches from my Heart (impossible) and wire draped over right ear.(Wireless are even more dangerous.) I can not comply with this requirement for privacy. What am I to do.
On long haul international flights inability to wear headphones is major disadvantage.
@David
It is not your divine right. You mute your device until you get off the plane or out of the lounge.
This is not an excuse to be rude to others. You can wait until you get off the damn plane, if that's the case.
That's unfortunate for you. It should not also be unfortunate for everyone around you.
Sit or stand next to the offender.
Say, loud enough to be heard by other people and the other phone conversationalist:
"Honey, hang up the phone and come back to bed."
Hilarity ensues.
Wow.
That took you a long time to address this social issue. I cut off my doctor due to someone in waiting room watching out loud videos with the "N" word for all of us to hear. "He has the right to listen to .... blah blah".
Society is now an oxymoron. People are upset with their lives and take it out loudly on others.
Lucky - Great post as usual! This irks me so much. I was just on vacation and sitting by the pool when the couple next to me decided to blast their JBL while the resort also had music going.
We’re similar ages and it makes me feel like an old man to rant about this but I agree that I find it to be one of the most inconsiderate activities.
I don't buy the headphones in bulk, but I do keep those cheap little ones that you sometimes get at Hotel gyms etc. On the instances where I have experienced such behaviour (mostly in lounges), I go up and offer them the headphones. Most of the time people say sorry, and sometimes (and oddly, it's people who are from India - but it might just be the fact that I travel through Asia a lot),...
I don't buy the headphones in bulk, but I do keep those cheap little ones that you sometimes get at Hotel gyms etc. On the instances where I have experienced such behaviour (mostly in lounges), I go up and offer them the headphones. Most of the time people say sorry, and sometimes (and oddly, it's people who are from India - but it might just be the fact that I travel through Asia a lot), the person may find it offensive and end up talking so loud that they get asked to leave the lounge. Either way, silence returns.
Just play "Baby Shark" as loud as possible next to the person using phone on speakerphone. Let's see who wins the annoying battle. :)
This is what I do! Only with hardcore death metal. I start by standing 5 ft away from them and not really looking at them but playing it at full blast with my speakerphone pointed towards them. I dont say anything and I wait.
After a little time goes by, they inevitably start to look a little irritated by my death metal. Now I'm an old Cowboy at heart, so I don't mind confrontation...
This is what I do! Only with hardcore death metal. I start by standing 5 ft away from them and not really looking at them but playing it at full blast with my speakerphone pointed towards them. I dont say anything and I wait.
After a little time goes by, they inevitably start to look a little irritated by my death metal. Now I'm an old Cowboy at heart, so I don't mind confrontation with inconsiderate people especially in an airport where I know they're probably not packing a weapon and definitely know they're being recorded all over the place with cops all around. I wait to make eye contact with them and then they try to give me their shitty look and I give them an even shittier one and start walking closer and closer towards them until they finally say something.
Then I tell them I'll turn mine off if they'll turn theirs off otherwise I'm going to hold mine a foot behind their head until there's is done playing. Definitely not a way to avoid confrontation, but definitely the best way to get results. Period. ( it does help that I have boxing and combat training and I've been on both ends of a good ass kicking for poor behavior and I'm not afraid of getting in another one. People, theyre the worst. -Elaine Benes
Lucky - thank you for bringing this issue up. I'm in total agreement with you and airline lounges seem to be the absolute worst. In particular, people who talk on their cell phone at a level that everyone within a mile radius can hear the conversation. Sales people I've noticed seem to be the absolute worst. Shut the f up and take your stupid calls someplace else!!! The entire lounge could care less about your business call - or call to your spouse, etc.
I once had a staff that already wasn't performing great and I wanted to remove, I was on holidays and happen to see him take a sales call at a lounge out loud to a point where he sounded like he just wanted to boast about how important he was.
I knew that his manager was also on the call and I messaged him to cut him off mid-call and also terminate his access...
I once had a staff that already wasn't performing great and I wanted to remove, I was on holidays and happen to see him take a sales call at a lounge out loud to a point where he sounded like he just wanted to boast about how important he was.
I knew that his manager was also on the call and I messaged him to cut him off mid-call and also terminate his access as I don't want details being openly heard and it was just unprofessional. It was interesting when his call just ended abruptly and he didn't know why.
If he wants to be heard so much, he should've worked as a comedian
Haha - right!! Wow.
@Ben, I honestly believe this is becoming more of a generational thing. Yes, seniors who struggle with technology sometimes don't even know how to lower the volume of their devices without ruining every other function they need on a daily basis. But, based on what I have had to endure during my own trips, it is young(ish/est) people who grew up thinking that life is about being constantly tethered to the Internet/screens the ones I...
@Ben, I honestly believe this is becoming more of a generational thing. Yes, seniors who struggle with technology sometimes don't even know how to lower the volume of their devices without ruining every other function they need on a daily basis. But, based on what I have had to endure during my own trips, it is young(ish/est) people who grew up thinking that life is about being constantly tethered to the Internet/screens the ones I have regularly seen doing this. Also, I grew up in Latin America, so there's also an element of bragging when people have loud conversations about certain topics (e.g., "omg I loooooove (insert foreign city)" or "hooooow much? Oooooonly XXX millions? That's toooo little fooooor meeeeee!"
Then, you have children who are being raised with no other parenting than a loud tablet. I don't even want to imagine how things are going to be in the next 15 years. And, lastly, add the current rejection/despise for anything that looks like a rule for the common good, and then you'll know what would happen if you try to confront or educate people.
It's not about getting over it, it's more like resigning ourselves to bigger forces.
so untrue
As someone in their 20s I would actually disagree. I think it is actually more middle-aged people who are less tech savvy but still able to use face time etc. Younger people I feel value privacy and want the latest tech gadgets (be it Bose QC or Airpods etc.) and know how to use them, as they have better sound quality etc.
It happens to me on almost every flight. I’ve learned just to ring the FA button. Cause there is a reason they do that. They are so oblivious. It ends in confrontation.
Once I was told that if I didn’t like it I needed to fly private. lol.
The other day on AA the passenger kept arguing with the FA that it was a made up rule. And he must be shown where that rule exists for him to comply. Thankfully it was on the foldable menu. But the nerve not to wanna obey the FA.
Are portable cellphone jammers a thing yet and. more importantly, are they effective? :)
They have long been a thing and it has long been a rational public policy in the U.S. that if you are found to be using one without authorization, you’re sent to pound-me-in-the-ass prison for your selfish and reckless endangerment of others who rely on the network you’re jamming for emergency communications.
They work, you can buy small ones (about the side of a pack of cigarettes from most of the asian sites. You can set the strength via dip switches and the range is decent for about 100m (300ft). You can turn it on for about 10 secs, that will usually drop their connection, once you hit them 2-3 times, they'll get up and move to another area to get better reception.
As for the...
They work, you can buy small ones (about the side of a pack of cigarettes from most of the asian sites. You can set the strength via dip switches and the range is decent for about 100m (300ft). You can turn it on for about 10 secs, that will usually drop their connection, once you hit them 2-3 times, they'll get up and move to another area to get better reception.
As for the morons with the loud games or videos on speaker - maybe someone will come up with a mini-directional-emp device? ;-)
Not to generalize here, but Vietnamese people are some of the loudest phone talkers I've heard anywhere in the world. And in the US, Spanish speakers love their speaker phones and loud videos.
So if you’re not generalizing, what’s the word to describe what you’re doing?
The currency in Vietnam is the dong. Consider putting that money where your mouth is.
Certainly something infuriating that seems to get worse over time. When I'm in a lounge and someone starts making noise I often just move to another section (when the crowd is light). Of course sometimes you put yourself right next to some other rude idiot haha. I'm not the confrontational type and rather get all worked up I just remove myself from the f'in moron's aura.
I'll ask them nicely and if that doesn't work I will sit next to them as close as humanely possible and turn on Christmas music.
Join their conversation! Clearly if they’re on speakerphone in public they want you to participate so jump in. Let their significant other , business associate, etc know what you think about the topic. Offer alternate recommendations if they’re discussing restaurants, and so on.
Never respond to other’s bad etiquette with your own.
Strongly disagree lol
The catalyst was Apple dropping the headphone jack from iPhones.
Yes you can buy an adapter but that is a friction point that leads to people walking around with only speaker for audio.
That then made it feel more 'normal' to do it. Kind of like the phenomenon when there's an empty bar / restaurant it tends to stay empty. But if someone sits down in a visible spot it tends to fill up.
I think this is probably the best explanation.
I agree Apple deserves blame but I think FaceTime is the bigger culprit. The default is speakerphone unless you’re wearing AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones.
Previously, then default was phone to ear. Now it’s phone held at arm’s length with the speakers blasting. The microphone is also farther away, which encourages projecting the voice more
LMAO - Didn’t you also argue that opening windows on a plane was perfectly fine despite the inconvenience it is to everyone else on the plane?
This is the same thing. Opening a window on a flight is the light equivalent of the noise without headphones. For the wear an eye mask crowd, wear headphones.
An eye mask actually blocks light. Noise canceling headphones don't block conversation.
play something in them or buy 20k headphones. Much easier to deal with noise vs tell people to close their eyes if they don’t like it.
I politely asked a middle-aged woman on hold in the lounge to a travel company to use her phone without the speaker phone function. Her boyfriend went all Liam Neeson “ you don’t know what I’m capable of….”
It’s not worth it.
Three parties to your story.
Woman: crass for being on speaker.
Boyfriend: a bully and obvious moron.
You: a dweeb and a negotiator so lousy you can’t even convince someone to get off their speaker.
Just get the lounge staff to tell off the woman. Lounges prohibit disruptive behavior.
Tasers are often the answer to any question.
I am quite a bit older than you Lucky and also used to be painfully shy. Now I'm not shy at all but these types of situations do carry some risk. Maybe google translate with " your phone is really loud". If the person seems to have been drinking not worth the effort.
If all of us say something, they’ll quickly see they are in the minority.
After talking with agents in the clubs, they prefer that we go to them. If the pax is still doing it, I tell them that they’re still going at it and that (in a friendly way) I’m willing to go over to them myself.
On a train, I go over to them and in a friendly manner, tell them...
If all of us say something, they’ll quickly see they are in the minority.
After talking with agents in the clubs, they prefer that we go to them. If the pax is still doing it, I tell them that they’re still going at it and that (in a friendly way) I’m willing to go over to them myself.
On a train, I go over to them and in a friendly manner, tell them I can hear their music from over where I’m sitting, even with my headphones in, so can they wear headphones or turn down the music. This almost always works and I say thanks as I head back to my seat.
If they signal they don’t understand English I use very broken Spanish to say “su telefono, much ruido” (a lot of noise). That dos the trick too.
If they end up being combative or rude or clueless I just use the app to signal the guard.
Very high success rate.
The answer is simple, Ben.
As the purveyor of a site such as OMAAT, how about introducing a NEW category into your reviews - called ATMOSPHERICS ? Include this in EVERY single airline cabin, airport, airline lounge and hotel review that you write.
This would then create an "awareness" factor for each of these areas that owners / operators could draw from - particularly, if they start to realise what a grand problem this...
The answer is simple, Ben.
As the purveyor of a site such as OMAAT, how about introducing a NEW category into your reviews - called ATMOSPHERICS ? Include this in EVERY single airline cabin, airport, airline lounge and hotel review that you write.
This would then create an "awareness" factor for each of these areas that owners / operators could draw from - particularly, if they start to realise what a grand problem this has become for the majority of the travelling populous. Especially, if they realise that such annoyances have the potential to effect a negative on their bottom line.
Surely, the major problem is lack of adequate (if any) signage to alert the morons to "tone it down". Those operators who comply with such signage would receive additional "kudos' recognition, those that don't suffer the small indignity of having a negative element of their service highlighted. I do remember you highlighting a small number of hotels previously reviewed that had / have restrictions on the taking of photos in their establishments. C'mon Ben - you just know you'd want to do this.
This sounds very interesting. If lounges, etc., are assessed on how/whether they keep a nice ambiance, including low levels of noise pollution, they would surely start caring about it.
Not a bad idea - best way to ensure strict policing is companies to get onboard and realise it can affect their bottom line.
Put in some ear plugs and noise canceling headphones. You won't hear anything. Stop worrying about policing everyone else amd worry about your own allergy to background noise.
The issue is that it is not "background" noise. This is about loud enough sounds that become a forced foreground.
I've been travelling quite a lot around the globe the last few years and seen this problem appeared pretty much all over the globe at around the same time, exept a few civilized places as Japan and the Nordics.
The only way to combat this antisocial behavior would be for all of us to speak up every time we observe people blasting music from their phones. I personally try to do so, either by...
I've been travelling quite a lot around the globe the last few years and seen this problem appeared pretty much all over the globe at around the same time, exept a few civilized places as Japan and the Nordics.
The only way to combat this antisocial behavior would be for all of us to speak up every time we observe people blasting music from their phones. I personally try to do so, either by direct confrontation or by asking the staff wherever I am, and it usually works pretty well. As you write, not one person can change this trend but if all of us do something about it we might send a signal to those selfish bastards. Passively observing this without doing anything about it is a form of acceptance. If direct confrontation feels uncomfortable, please DO ask the relevant staff to do their job.
Ultimately, this is Bilt's fault.
Thank you, sir. If you weren’t going to say it, I was. Let’s also blame those shills at TPG, too.
I know in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK, they will tell you no speakers.
Thank you all for the warning. If the behaviour described in the article, back up by the posts below are anything to go by, then the behaviour is endemic in the U.S. That being the case then surely it will not be very long before the disease will spread across the pond to England too. One has to ask who will protect the offending numpties from my forthright comments if I encounter them there? …. :-)
The real Aero is a Diamond member. This is an impersonator.
…. fooled you again Jack, I’m just too lazy to login presently …. :-)
Despite interventions by staff and the general public, I see this obnoxious behavior growing and growing everywhere you travel; airplanes, restaurants, lounges, airline gate areas, etc. I fear it might be a losing battle. It is becoming too overwhelming to do anything about it. Just like cell phone use in movie theaters.
Just show the offender this clip!
https://youtu.be/LtdpJlZ07u4?si=fuz19LxxEgt8PiTj
It’s getting so bad, the subway in New York and New Jersey ppl have just become so incredibly selfish. We just have to do more shaming. FAs and other transit employees have to help in enforcement. But it’s just incredible where we are as a society that this has even become such a large issue!
Oh, come now ‘Aman’… if you’re an actual Aman-guest, it’s likely you aren’t taking the subway anyway. (And speaking of NJ, the PATH is cleaner, ironically.)
Its as bad, no worse, when you live with someone that refuses to wear headphones. Save meeeeeee
It should be a crime subject to instant death sentence followed by immediate cremation. Whoever doesn't care about the peace of the people around them should be dust
On AA flights that I have flown recently, the FA makes an announcement that it is a quite environment and people are to use their headphones or mute their devices. I have seen them individually tell pax to silence their devices.
In Admiral Clubs that I have visited in Miami, DC, Chicago and Miami, the AA reps do tell pax to mute their devices or use headphones.
I was in Admirals in Miami not...
On AA flights that I have flown recently, the FA makes an announcement that it is a quite environment and people are to use their headphones or mute their devices. I have seen them individually tell pax to silence their devices.
In Admiral Clubs that I have visited in Miami, DC, Chicago and Miami, the AA reps do tell pax to mute their devices or use headphones.
I was in Admirals in Miami not too long ago, and I asked a lounge staff to ask a pax to mute their phone or use headphones as I did not care to hear whatever was being blared in Spanish (and it could have been any language and I would have done the same). The lounge staff immediately went to the pax and handled the situation.
If anyone wishes to associate with modern airline passengers , then one will get what they ask for .
Ben, a man after my heart! I completely resonate with everything you said in this piece. I actually love (of all airlines) FRONTIER for precisely this point - they always announce at the beginning that everyone, even little kids, is forbidden from projecting sound from their devices. Some FAs really goose it and take the trouble to elaborate: "That means any beeps, dings, alerts, movies, music, human voices - ANY NOISE OF ANY KIND!" I...
Ben, a man after my heart! I completely resonate with everything you said in this piece. I actually love (of all airlines) FRONTIER for precisely this point - they always announce at the beginning that everyone, even little kids, is forbidden from projecting sound from their devices. Some FAs really goose it and take the trouble to elaborate: "That means any beeps, dings, alerts, movies, music, human voices - ANY NOISE OF ANY KIND!" I love when I have an FA up front who philosophically aligns with me on that score, and I know it means if there's any infraction during the flight, I just pretend I'm going to the bathroom or stretching my legs, I find the exact seat number, I ring my flight attendant call button, and (with a slightly apologetic tone for adding to the FA's plate) I say "18D is blasting a movie." The FAs always shut it down. Now, out in public, not every front of house employee (say, the LA Fitness desk attendants) is as swift to help me. And some of them look at me like I'm the problem for taking issue with it. I think that is really the most frustrating thing... because at any given time, what's "impolite" is simply what the majority of a population deem unacceptable, and I genuinely worry that with this digitocratic self-centeredness creeping over the whole culture, we who considerately respect other people's sensorial input might be outnumbered in a few years - some vestige of a bygone era, like men who insist on wearing top hats in 2026 or something. I don't know... But I am so, so heartened to see that someone in 2026 thinks the way I do! Sometimes in the gym, when someone comes up to a machine next to me blasting some pop music that now is competing with the overhead speaker pop music, I'll just put my phone closer to him than in his own and blast Luciano Pavarotti or something. People look stunned and, if they're smart, realize the irony involved in taking affront to my music choice, and walk away.
“ I completely resonate with everything you said…”
No, you RELATE to it, not resonate with it.
That's some impressive corporate speak they're using.
I still have an iPhone 6 from 2014! And I don't have contacts on my phone. I just use it to pretty much browse, notes, Apple Pay.
I'm not really missing much.
So you’re walking around with a device that contains your banking details (and probably all your points) that hasn’t had a security update in 5 years? Don’t come crying when you get hacked and cleaned out.
No, banking apps don't work! And I don't have any rewards on my phone. Just my doctors and customer service in my contacts along with 1 dating app as well as reminders and notes.
There was actually an update to iOS 12.5.8 a few weeks ago! But yes, I'm long overdue for an upgrade!
Some of us make a point not to have banking details on 'phones.
I am highly digital, which means keyboards and monitors, not touch screens.
The frustrating aspect is the banks which force one to put passwords on 'phone even when accessing through PC.
This is a major problem and will only get better when we all collectively decide to shame the rude people who engage in this selfish behavior. Give dirty looks, politely ask them if they have headphones, or request the assistance of a FA when on board. Social norms are socially enforced, and we will only have a civilized society as long as we are willing to keep it.
Giving them dirty looks don't work. The noise now from devices on public transport in DC is off the charts. It makes for even a more unpleasant environment. I have written WMATA the governing organization about it, but to no avail thus far.
I carry headphones liberated from a hotel gym and hold them up to the person speaking and ask, do you need these? 9 times out of 10, they switch to phone mode from speaker. BTW I give grandparents 5 minutes grace time when on FaceTime with the grandkids. And in the end this is why I carry NC headsets and ear plugs.
What else have you "liberated" from your hotel or airplane or lounge?
No you don’t
The world is depressing enough already. I frankly prefer the sounds and hustle and hustle of an alive and crowded nation, even on a plane.
Even crying babies never bother me because it means it's not a dead earth but populated with humans
You’re beautiful.
Very annoyed. Also see it in the clubs as some a hole is screaming on speaker to Jed, Granny, Jethro and Elliemae back home they're in an airline club with free food and booze.
Some real Wawa behavior, George!
Do what i do
Stand directly behind them whether it'd a video or audio call. Do the same thing
Talk about random crap at the same if not louder voice
Don't look at them. It's kinda a photo bomb
This is reminiscent of when Nextel came out in the early days of cell phones. Nextel was a cellular service designed for worksites that basically made cell phones into walkie talkies, complete with push to talk buttons that added a loud end of transmission beep - in case the speakerphone wasn't annoying enough. These soon left worksites and became urban status symbols. On a number of occasions when subjected to this on public transportation and...
This is reminiscent of when Nextel came out in the early days of cell phones. Nextel was a cellular service designed for worksites that basically made cell phones into walkie talkies, complete with push to talk buttons that added a loud end of transmission beep - in case the speakerphone wasn't annoying enough. These soon left worksites and became urban status symbols. On a number of occasions when subjected to this on public transportation and even in theaters, I just barged in on the conversation. When the perpetrator objected, usually saying that it was a private conversation, I pointed out that there was nothing private about a speakerphone blaring in a public setting. It usually caused the call to be ended. That would be too dangerous today. This is the reason why idiots get away with this today. I've been on flights where flight attendants walk by these morons without saying a word.
As a Frenchman, I have a golden rule about this:
- in France, I educate these people
- abroad, I let locals deal with it if they want
As an FA, nipping it in the bud as soon as it's discovered is key.
"I'm sorry, you'll need to use headphones or turn the volume all the way off, please. We're in a public space"
I have yet to have anyone resist. I believe most people simply don't know it's a nuisance, since they're used to seeing it.
Agreed, I find it makes me more angry than it might have done a few years ago. Not sure why that’s so, maybe because it’s more common than before and in places where you would expect considerate behaviour. It seems to be often people who are old enough to know better which makes me more angry. I usually move to another seat if I can or put my headphones on and try and focus on...
Agreed, I find it makes me more angry than it might have done a few years ago. Not sure why that’s so, maybe because it’s more common than before and in places where you would expect considerate behaviour. It seems to be often people who are old enough to know better which makes me more angry. I usually move to another seat if I can or put my headphones on and try and focus on the music. I think the staff of the venue should be the ones to say something but I can appreciate how they’d rather stay out of it.
This is the problem with a society that increasingly centers the self. If your own personal fulfillment and happiness are supposed to be the primary goal of life -- which is increasingly seen as the case -- then various aspects of civil society break down. The whole point of society is that you have to do some things for the good of others even at the expense of your own individual desires. But if you...
This is the problem with a society that increasingly centers the self. If your own personal fulfillment and happiness are supposed to be the primary goal of life -- which is increasingly seen as the case -- then various aspects of civil society break down. The whole point of society is that you have to do some things for the good of others even at the expense of your own individual desires. But if you think (and incidentally, I think therapy culture going mainstream is part of the reason this happened) that the main goal of your life to increase your own happiness, why would you bother putting in the headphones to avoid inconveniencing others?
It sucks though, on many levels.
If this issue doesn't unite the OMAAT commentariat, nothing ever will
Amen! :-)
A lack of basic decorum is becoming more and more normal in this era of social media. More and more people really don't care about how they're perceived by others whom they don't talk to or interact with in person.
People were always annoying dickheads. A smartphone just gives them an easier method to be that way.
I always carry some cheap headphones with me, that airline like to hand out.
If someone is disturbing, I will give them the headphones. Most of the time, it works. Even if the persons phone doesn't have a headphone port.
Could not agree more. It is wild. I actually was in the quiet section of a cruise recently and someone came over because it was quiet to do a video call without headphones. I asked nicely and she moved but like my god lol.
Try getting on the phone and responding to the other person's conversation as if it were a coincidence, and if they say something, ask them what they need, like didnt notice it cause you are talking to X person on the phone.
I had this issue at a hotel gym recently. Someone running next to me was FaceTiming, speaking loudly and disturbing everyone else.
I asked her once to stop and she refused. So I got hotel security involved. Problem solved.
Tell the truth BZ, she was running without wearing her burka or head covering ….
Tell the truth BZ, she was running without wearing her burka or head covering ….
honestly refreshing that this isnt exclusively an american phenomenon.
the only correct way to handle is sit right next to them, touching thighs, and start blasting porn on your phone