In response to the article by Adrian Chiles (Where have all the headphones gone on public transport? The noise is eating into my soul, 9 April), I sat next to a guy on a flight who watched the entirety of an explosion- and gunfire-filled action film on his phone with no headphones. We’d spoken a little pre-flight and at the time I realised that that was my best chance to ask someone what the hell they thought they were doing. I also realised that if it went down badly, I had nowhere else to go.
So I did what we all do, and sat and stewed in silence. I do regret not asking, and am filled with the same sense of wonder and disgust every time I’m in this situation on a bus or train.
It surely has to come down to selfishness. Is anyone that oblivious to their impact on others? I feel that to say something would only result in a bitterly unsatisfying and possibly heated exchange over which I’d obsess for the rest of my life. Occasionally, while lying in bed unable to sleep, I’ve come up with the zinger of a response that definitely would have won the day.
Nick Greasley
Teddington, London
• When mobile phones first appeared, with the ugly aspect of loud conversations on public transport, I used to join in on people’s conversations, offering advice and comments. Often it had the desired effect of encouraging the users to terminate their conversations. My favourite interjection occurred on the Docklands Light Railway, when I loudly suggested to my wife (in an imaginary conversation) that she should “put the dog in the oven”. At least it gave me pleasure!
Gregory Rose
Oxford
• This is nothing compared with my experiences in the Royal Brompton hospital in London. Patients next to me were using their phones on speaker as I was recovering from a triple heart-bypass operation. They had total disregard for my pain and wellbeing. This happened several times, and it was left to me to remonstrate. Heaven help that the nurses on the ward should say something. I can’t believe people are so inconsiderate.
Carol Hughes
Guildford
• The problem is even appearing in the places where we seek solitude. I was sitting contemplatively on a Welsh mountain summit last year, when a couple stormed through, filming themselves striding along the ridge with Highway to Hell playing at full volume. There is a real need for a wider discussion about this perceived right to inflict our noise on others, but who among us is brave enough to start it?
Nathan Fisher
Chester
• It’s something I have noticed even in the streets. I wonder whether it’s due to word coming out about the negative impact of headphones, especially noise-cancelling ones, on increased hearing loss. I refer to a recent Guardian article (Are noise-cancelling headphones impairing our hearing skills? Some audiologists are beginning to worry, 22 February). I concur with Adrian Chiles though, it’s very annoying.
Natalie Davies
Pontypool, Monmouthshire
• I sympathise with Adrian Chiles and the menace of other people listening to phones without headphones. Since I got my wonderful NHS Bluetooth hearing aids, I take phone calls directly into my head. The only problem is I need some signal to passersby that I am actually on the phone and not just some dotty old bloke walking down the street talking to himself.
Keith Langton
Kirkcudbright, Dumfries & Galloway
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