No one wants to hear your TikTok feed played aloud.
There are few crimes against the social contract worse than playing audio aloud in public spaces. It’s sadly become a universal experience: You’re in a subway car or sitting at the airport in peace, merely trying to get from Point A to Point B, when an inconsiderate scoundrel opens TikTok on their phone for all the world to hear. Perhaps the worst part of these commonplace disruptions is that they are, unlike the sounds of a fire alarm or a baby crying, completely avoidable.
A new study conducted by audio brand JBL revealed that the majority of Americans can relate to this issue and are desperate for a fix. In fact, 76% of travelers want signage to be put in public places like airports and train stations discouraging people from playing music aloud, and 58% believe we have reached public crisis levels when it comes to lacking quieter spaces. Travelers particularly want to see signs that read “Use Headphones” in efforts to encourage auditory insulation.
So what will solve this national dilemma? One answer could be placing more onus on the airlines themselves: 66% of travelers believe flight attendants should step in when someone plays something aloud, while 72% believe the crisis could be fixed by giving everyone a complimentary pair of headphones. Of course, the earbuds given out are more often than not uncomfortable and have dreadful sound quality, but perhaps it is an easy antidote to our problems.
That being said, don’t be the person that ruins things for everyone else. Take a look at our roundup of the best noise-canceling headphones for your next flight; they may even be the perfect gift for your most annoying, disrespectful friends.
Article by Thrillist; Kelsey Allen
