Anyone else annoyed by this trend?

[mtblujeans]

....I'd worry about teens using hard drugs, not teens learning to multitask....

I don't see it as multitasking, actually. I see it as not being able to be alone for 1 minute. I see it as having to have constant attention from someone! Time will tell....

 

[Galahad]

I'd worry about teens using hard drugs, not teens learning to multitask.

Agreed. But are they learning to multi-task or just learning to not concentrate on anything? When DS is IMing while doing homework, I can demonstrate that he doesn't do as good a job at the homework. I also feel there is a qualitative difference in these different communication methods. I'd prefer him talking face-to-face to people than to do so on the phone, but I'd prefer him on the phone to being on IM and I'd prefer him on IM than on a message board, for example.

 

[icebrat001]

I have an ipod, my SO has an ipod, sometimes when out in public we walk side by side with our ear plugs in our ears. Our bosses have ear plugs, as well as all of our friends, and I mean all! So, I'm used to it and it doesn't bother me. It's no worse than the people with the wireless headsets talking on their cell phones.

 

[Shugardrawers]

I know my upbringing was rather strict. We were taught to be excrutiatingly polite. Mom would never have let us wear headphones while out in public. It just seems to say "leave me alone". It seems to me that it limits contact with the outside world.

 

[bicker]

I don't see it as multitasking, actually. I see it as not being able to be alone for 1 minute. I see it as having to have constant attention from someone! Time will tell....

I'm sure our parents made similarly dire predictions with regard to some of our activities, when we were growing up. It's natural: Children will keep up with the times, while we become dinosaurs!

 

[ckay87]

Hey - remember the days of the blaring boombox on the shoulders?

Count your blessings.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

My family hates my music so it's the headset or go insane

 

[diznygirl]

I don't see it as multitasking, actually. I see it as not being able to be alone for 1 minute. I see it as having to have constant attention from someone! Time will tell....

And yet here you are..........


You don't know what they are listening to, or why. Colleges are now putting school lectures on podcasts, news programs have podcasts... books....it's a great tool. And so what if it's just music. I wish my life wasn't so hectic that I could listen to music for a little while (my own music that is - not just the Wiggles!)

 

[chyam]

Have many of them actually said to you that they're on the phone so much because they feel they're "important"? I think it is essential to look at things at face-value, without projecting meaning onto those things that isn't there. As mentioned above, it is likely that they're on the phone so much because they're that social, and their social world is far more active and dynamic than we're used to.
__________________
No they have not told me that they are "so important" but I just think it is downright rude to be in a checkout line or ordering in a fast food line and be yacking on the phone about little or nothing! And they didn't have to tell me that it was an important call, you can hear what they are talking about. I just think there is a time and a place to be talking on a phone........and one is not when one is driving! If it is an important call then fine but if not can't it be done when you are in a little more private situation or not behind the wheel. I don't care how "social" people have become. Most of the time they are talking so loud that they do disturb others, it's not the same as having headphones or earbuds in where others can't hear what is going into your ears

 

[Momma Rabbit]

My family hates my music so it's the headset or go insane

LOL! My DD has her headphones on all the time. I can only handle small doses of her music at a time.

 

[Galahad]

I'm sure our parents made similarly dire predictions with regard to some of our activities................

I suspect they were probably right.

 

[caitycaity]

i'm one of those people with headphones on constantly. sometimes i even have them on at work.

it obviously doesn't bother me.

 

[mtblujeans]

And yet here you are..........


You don't know what they are listening to, or why. Colleges are now putting school lectures on podcasts, news programs have podcasts... books....it's a great tool. And so what if it's just music. I wish my life wasn't so hectic that I could listen to music for a little while (my own music that is - not just the Wiggles!)

I don't know what you are talking about here....

 

[Rhonda922]

I only listen to my iPod when I'm either at home or if I'm on a plane going on vacation. I wouldn't use it when I'm out by myself because I like to know what's going on around me and be aware of my surroundings. But sometimes I wouldn't mind having it to drown out someone's cellphone conversation!

 

[MoniqueU]

We were at disneyland yesterday and saw a middleaged asian woman listening to an ipod playing a gameboy. We cracked up.

 

[bicker]

No they have not told me that they are "so important" but I just think it is downright rude to be in a checkout line or ordering in a fast food line and be yacking on the phone about little or nothing!

I understood that you don't like it. I think, though, that it isn't rude. It's just something you don't like.

I suspect they were probably right.

My mother and I recently had this discussion actually, and she acknowledged that more often than not, she would ride me for something that she herself would not only be okay with now, as she's gotten older and appreciates better what is important, but would probably do herself, if the circumstances were right.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I have an ipod, my SO has an ipod, sometimes when out in public we walk side by side with our ear plugs in our ears.

Sorry to be rude, but I find that really sad

I love my husband very much, and did when we were dating. I couldn't imagine spending time with him and using a dang Ipod.

 

[mbw12]

Hey - remember the days of the blaring boombox on the shoulders?

Count your blessings.

Very true!!!!!

and the whole "headphone" thing doesn't bother me at all. Like someone else said, I would rather see that.....than some yip-yapping person on their cell phone talking loudly. and you bring back so many memories of those big boom boxes and people carrying them on their shoulders, blaring music....LOL!!!!!

 

[tinksgirl]

being a music lover i dont mind it at all! I am a person that every freak of nature crazy on the street wants to talk to so having a ear bud in helps me to just keep on walkin by

 

[Nite0wl71]

My kids all did, my DD used them when she ran. I just wouldn't let them when they were on their bikes.

I used to like it when they had their headphones on and would be singing along with the music (loudly)