iPod as social camoflauge

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Anyone else find the iPod to be a fabulous tool for socially blending? I just returned from Wal-Mart. I hate going to large, public places full of choices, sights, logos, and large often ill-mannered strangers. I find myself feeling so self-conscious over their bad behavior, like blocking aisles, or frustrated by not knowing how to avoid the sample-ladies tactfully. (I once blurted out when offered a sample, Ohh I hate those, and was so embarassed by her reaction that I left the store.) BUT, waltzing through with my music on high, conspicuous white earbuds in, rescued me from needing to look so sorry for striking another cart. It kept the sample ladies from even approaching. It freed me from the terrible small-talk at the register. It even helped modulate my sensory overload. I'd have to say, I'm never shopping without it again. Even when I forgot myself and sang a bit, people SMILED at me. (not at all like when I talk to myself) Now, if I'd had one as a child, I can honestly say I'd have never spoken, nor felt the need to.

Anyone else been plugged-in in public and had a similar time?

Gilly

Yeah....that's how I use mine. I love it!

Certainly I grew up in the days of the Walkman cassette players and had one of those constantly on as a kid. Unlike the I-pod headphones, those had the big earphones with the headband, and were quite obvious when you had them on. I would sometimes go around with the walkman turned off, but wearing the headphones. It was sometimes interesting listening to people who though that you couldn't hear them, but you can still hear through the headphones

Now, if you really want to enjoy your i-pod, get some decent buds for yours...the ones that come with them are JUNK! The I-pod is a true high fidelity device as long as you use a good bit rate (higher than 160) to encode your Mp3's.

My Dad has some of these:
link

I bought some of these from my shop
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/pr ... sid=004924
They are a bit bigger, but they have better fidelity than the buds. I like the fact they are big enough to be obvious to onlookers and produce the effect you like too Street price is $80 - $100

I pretty much go everywhere with mine. I used to hate that I couldn't take it to school with all the noises in the hallways. I'm always much more myself when I'm listening to music and generally happier.

I use a pair of Macnally headphones... no wires... the nano slips into a slot on the outside of one headphone.
All controls are accessible, and they fold up small... for headphones anyway.

When I go into a store or hang out as school, I put these on and pretty much shut out everyone else.

I agree that iPods have changed my life for the better!

I would wear my headphones all the time, even at home. Even if I wasn't listening to music.

I think you will find me in public without my mp3 player about 5% of the time.
I get uncomfortable in public without my music, all the noises or talking or just signs of life, loud music drowning all outside sounds makes me feel like I am alone and nobody can piss me off.
I tend to mouth the words without realizing it, actually singing them is harder for me to do subconsciously, especially singing in a death metal growl.

Curses, you've found out one of my secrets


Ed Almos

I can't wear ear buds at all. They don't fit and they are painful. I have these old-fashioned looking Sony headphones that cost $50. I don't wear it everywhere . . . yet. Just when alone and I know I'll be killing time. I certainly haven't worn them in a store. Though, the head phones have a noise canceller on them and I have worn that walking around.

I almost always have my ipod going when i'm driving or just out and about.

All my hatred for the world fades away when i'm not expected to talk to people.

I have a very strange paranoia about iPod use. I am constantly afraid that people will be able to hear my music, and then start to hate me based on the music I listen too. I have had people play with my iPod, and I become very erratic and begin to yell at them that they are not allowed to play with it. I never let anyone touch my music, or listen to it. I am very paranoid that if I listen to music in public, people will judge and hate me; I really want to listen to music in public, but I am too scared too.

Can't say I turn on the mp3 player in the store... mostly I just keep my head down, beeline for what I want, and go to the checkout. I'm out very quickly, with the only person I talk to (if at all) being the cashier, and then only for whatever I'm doing pay-wise...

You would also be surprised in what keeping your head down (preferably with a hood of a sweatshirt up) will allow you to avoid, especially here in the greater new york area... can't say how effective my approach would be in places where you're actually expected to say hi to people.

By the way, if you don't already live near NYC, but have a good deal of money, I suggest moving to somewhere around an hour away from NYC, as people here just have to keep their head down and therefore avoid having to converse with anyone except a few loudmouths (and when those crop up, the general public is actually on your side... in a social situation!)

I do this with my iPod everywhere. Plus I keep my head down. Plus I wear sunglasses all the time.

I don't own an IPod, but I have found my MP3/CD player very useful. Also, I grow up trying to avoid social relationships with my Walkman cassette player

I always listen to music when I'm walking to college, at college, and after college when I'm walking to home.