People who seemingly talk to themselves in public

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Somehow, I've lately gotten increasingly bothered by people who appear as though they're talking to themselves in public places. I have trouble discerning whether they're insane or just talking into a hands-free system. (I'd hope for the latter.)

I didn't use to have a problem with this - it's a very recent development. I guess having spent time with a mentally ill student colleague has changed my perceptions slightly.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I've experienced it, although I'm not bothered by it.

I myself have the tendency to think out loud and speak verbally to my "imaginary" friends on a regular. Though due to how weirded out people would be from it, I only do it in privacy, such as my room. When I do go out in public however, I usually keep any conversations I have with other entities strictly in my head.

I run in to people like that from time to time too, but it doesn't really bother me unless they're really loud or talking dirty.

I have the same problem with hands-free systems, and often wonder how the people using them don't worry that they look like a nutjob walking around talking to themselves, when they could just as easily use a phone.

I get annoyed when I see someone talking into one of those little wireless ear things, it makes me look, because I think that they're talking to me or to themselves, being so they're not holding anything to their ear. I'd be too self-conscious if I used a tiny wireless ear piece to talk to someone, because I'd feel like everybody's staring and thinking that I'm insanely talking out loud to myself, being so I get stared at even when talking to someone on my actual phone.

I too find it disturbing when people appear to talk to themselves. If I see that they are actually on the phone, it's a relief, but I usually can't tell. I am uncomfortable around people who talk to themselves or exhibit other red flag behavior.

About 11 years ago I was in the basement floor of a shop and a woman walked around there. Suddenly she said hi, and since she was a few meters away from me I assumed she talked to me. I reluctantly mumbled some response, not really wanting a conversation with a stranger. She continued to say more, and then I saw her ear piece and was relieved that she was neither crazy nor talking to me. I was embarrassed that I had replied to her greeting though!

I'll do this slightly under my breath when I have a set of tasks to prioritize at work or anything labor related (moving around + using both hands + looking/tracking elsewhere) TBH I don't even have to be listening to myself but it helps by adding another avenue for my brain to process; It's not high risk information so it doesn't matter if anyone hears. If I'm not busy though I have no need.

Sometimes I go out of my way to do it in the work place at near normal volume (still talking to myself mind you) because it seems to kick coworkers into gear, like I just delegated jobs that needed to be done without actually being bossy... just weird.

Also bluetooth ear things can burn in a fire, If I accidentally respond to this voodoo and they give me an odd look I shoot them back an even stranger look. I'll cross my eyes if I have to.

This is one of my pet peeves and I have always hated blue tooths. Sure when I see someone talking to themselves, I always look for the wire and see if they have anything in their ear. I also can't stand it when I see random strangers shouting, especially when they are angry and they are just yelling randomly. I have seen it at light rail stops here, on the commute train and then I hate it when other passengers yell at them to shut up because I always think they are going to escalate it. I think all these people have mental issues because no one will talk to themselves like that and start shouting or ranting. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that because I don't want people to know my thoughts and I don't want any attention. It's amazing how many people ignore it but I still don't want to do it.

People talking on those ear thingies are really bothering to me, because they're in a conversation with someone else tat I cant see. That is really confusing and irritating to me. But I don't mind when people are obviously speaking to themselves, because I do that a lot too. If I'm in a crowd, I will mumble or sing to myself, because it helps me take the focus off everything that's happening around me. So I guess I'm not bothered by others doing it because I think I can relate.

I talk to myself. Sometimes, when I'm deep in my thoughts, I do it in public.
I know some people find it annoying but it helps me to sort my thoughts out.

Once we get AR glasses it's gonna be even more common with people having conversations with invisible people. AR glasses will be basically all you're smart phone functions in your normal day to day glasses. All the big tech companies has been investing lots of money researching this tech for a while now, Apple, Microsoft, Google. Also along with speech we might get gesture control, so expect to see people waiving their arms about when they talk to their invisible friends hehe

If you're interested in this sort of tech and how it might look like I can recommend the book "Rainbows End by Vernor Vinge"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbows_End


I seemingly talk to myself when I'm engaged in a virtual reality social world. I've been doing that a few times when at my local makerspace, having a conversation with my friend who lives on the other side of the country. But then it's quite clear to anyone around me what I'm doing because of the the big head mounted display I'm wearing and they can also see what I sees on my monitor. Last time I did this I had a conversation with my friend on the moon.

Actually, now that I think about it... I do have the tendency to mumble threatening comments about wanting to annihilate humanity and my utter hatred for society under my breath out in public without even knowing half the time. Usually only happens when I'm in a lot of stress or just in a super sour mood at that moment.

I realized this when I had my little trip to the main office at my complex. Unless someone's ear was right where my mouth is, no one would be able to make out the words. But I usually avoid people on the streets and sidewalks anyways, which is actually very noticeable in how I transition from one sidewalk to another just to avoid 1 person....meh.

I sometimes "talk to myself" in public.

Most people, though, are talking to somebody on the phone when they seem to be "talking to themselves" in public.

I guess I sometimes wonder if somebody is talking to me when they're talking on the phone.