Off the Cuff: That bleeding buzz

I recently read an article that said wearing earphones is like having a ‘do not disturb' sign off your nose. It talked about how they help you avoid interactions with annoying strangers on the plane or in the subway. Oh wow, so much for my annoyance, I thought to myself.

Seriously, isn't it the other way round? Anyone who rides the Metro and doesn't plug into an MP3 player or an iPod will know what I mean. It is we who suffer the buzz that bleeds out of the ear buds of some fellow passengers. And make no mistake, it is we who want to avoid them.

I am not sure if opposites attract but I've often found myself trapped next to people whose music grates out of their ears. It gives me a headache and irritates me no end. But I've done nothing more than mutter under my breath or dart dirty looks in the direction of my ill-mannered sources.

Needless to say, it's made little difference. The recent revelation about the do-not-disturb sign prompted me to do a rethink. I knew now that I would have to take the bull by its horns.

"Excuse me, could you please turn your volume down?" I mustered the courage to ask a young woman standing next to me the other day. I earnestly hoped my request would stop the droning sound emanating from her ears.

I was mistaken. There was no response.

But I was in no mood to give up. "Excuse me," I tried my luck again, this time patting the woman on her shoulder.

I instantly got her attention. She pulled out the bud from one of her ears and looked at me enquiringly.

"Can I request you to lower the volume of your music?" I urged.

"But I am using earphones," she protested.

"I know, but I think it's bleeding."

"Bleeding? What bleeding? I don't have a cut," she shot back, angrily plugging the bud back into her ear.

Earphone etiquette

Uggh … this was exasperating. Everyone knows the rules of earphone etiquette. At the very least, it demands that the user is courteous and keeps the volume down.

Earphones are supposed to be great tools to help you relax with your favourite music, but they are also not meant to stress out others. Nor are you supposed to enjoy your music at the cost of your manners.

I was more edgy than ever when I reached home that day. I just had to vent my frustration. I went straight into my son's room, only to find him glued to his laptop, his headphones in place. In other words, the do-not-disturb sign was on.

But I stood there waiting for him to take it off. When he didn't, I yanked it from his head and plonked myself down on the bed next to him.

"I am so annoyed …" I began.

"What's new Mum," came the bored reply.

I could have screamed but I went on.

When my son had heard me out, he picked up his iPod Nano lying on the side table and handed it over to me with its earphones.

"Here, this should solve your problem. Just plug it in the next time you're on the Metro. Make sure the volume is high enough to keep the buzz from others' earphones out," he said and reached for his own headphones.

It was a clear signal for me to leave.