People shouldn't wear headphones when walking outside, amirite?

🎧 WHAT?!?

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

THEY SAID———HEADPHONES———NIGHTIME———UNSAFE

by moenkatheryn 2 weeks ago

HE SAID-----‐-----------------------------------------

by Ok-Bass 2 weeks ago

I get it, headphones can be risky when you're walking outside, especially at night. You can miss stuff, and it can be dangerous. But some people just wanna jam out or avoid the world. Using one earbud or keeping the volume down seems like a good compromise. At the end of the day, people gotta do what works for them, just gotta be smart about it. Safety first, but also, let folks enjoy their tunes.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I've got a pair of bone conduction headphones and they're great for listening while still having your ear holes open for other sounds

by Successful_Bee 2 weeks ago

Where do I get those?

by Artistic_Coat 2 weeks ago

The ones I have are called Aftershokz. The downside is they don't do well with high volume. Feels like it's rattling my head if there's too much bass but they are great for general office or public use without feeling isolated

by Successful_Bee 2 weeks ago

I also use AfterShokz and I love them. I actually wore them while doing a half marathon and they worked great. There are other types available on Amazon for less, but the quality is not there.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I always have one ear bud in, or slide my headset off one ear so that I can hear my environment. It's not that big of a deal.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Haha, this doesn't work when you're deaf in one ear like me

by Subject-Educator1666 2 weeks ago

Im blind in one eye. We should start a club!

by Awolf 2 weeks ago

So am i supposed to just be bored when walking?

by InvestigatorOk7534 2 weeks ago

No! Stick your face in your phone instead.

by Repulsive-Meaning 2 weeks ago

Interestingly, even that is probably possible for normal folk. I walk 4 miles round my local hill later in the day, while listening to music and reading on my Kobo or Kindle. Never tripped over a dog nor failed to get out of the way of other people who seem oblivious while doing neither.

by Enola15 2 weeks ago

What about bears

by Pretty-Passion-9559 2 weeks ago

Some of my best memories from my youth are from going for walks late at night, gazing up at the stars, and listening to beautiful music. Absolutely magical so many times. Sure, not wearing headphones would be more cautious, but it's like saying you should NEVER listen to music while driving. So much would be lost. And it's not really dangerous unless you've already put yourself in a dangerous situation.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

You should definitely not use headphones when driving.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Why be bored? You have an active, well stocked mind yes, you're experiencing the world in 3D. Your body is rocking along feeling things. How be bored?

by Limp-Witness 2 weeks ago

Because the things you describe aren't engaging for me (and a whole lot of people), while an audiobook might be, for example. I mean, you're experiencing a 3D world while waiting in line, but most of us are bored doing that too.

by Rcole 2 weeks ago

Wear one earbud in your ear.

by AdExact1986 2 weeks ago

Do people not like to think?

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Actually I love thinking, it is typically my cure for boredom. But music just immerses me a lot more and makes the walk feel shorter, also as a musician, when I listen to music it gives something to think about since I enjoy analyzing it

by InvestigatorOk7534 2 weeks ago

Do you lose the capability to think while listening to music?

by Ycormier 2 weeks ago

I don't find thinking boring. If thinking isn't boring to me, then I don't need music to entertain me while just going about life. Pay attention to what the guy I'm replying to said.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

No just walk and look around??? Tf. Do y'all really need to be stimulated 100% of the time?

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Its the only time i get to listen to my audiobooks

by Ok_War_7690 2 weeks ago

When I walk the same route over and over then yes, looking around will do nothing because I already know what I'm looking at.

by InvestigatorOk7534 2 weeks ago

I walk to work everyday and don't listen to music on the way there or back and I enjoy it.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Am I you?

by InvestigatorOk7534 2 weeks ago

yes

by reichertsantina 2 weeks ago

Flair checks out

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Don't worry about my safety. That's for me to worry about. People are observant enough to walk around listening to music if they want to be

by Easy-Sympathy 2 weeks ago

Firstly, you are not going to be convicted, unless you did something that puts you at fault, e.g. speeding, driving under influence, running a red light, accident on a crosswalk, etc ... Secondly, the safety issue here is not paying attention, not headphones. If someone is walking around, looking at there phone this could happen. But, someone just listening to headphones is perfectly capable of noticing the in front of them.

by Russell82 2 weeks ago

having headphones on is not going to make someone walk out in front of a moving car. if they'd do it with headphones, they'd do it without. it's an entirely separate issue to headphone-wearing. it's a matter of stupidity.

by Queasy_Prior 2 weeks ago

So without headphones, you can hear cars approaching, so you'd typically know "car is approaching, don't move into the street", but with headphones, you won't necessarily have that cue. Then it completely depends on looking. So basically, your cue to a car coming is either audio and visual, or just visual.

by Olenabernathy 2 weeks ago

Deaf people not allowed outside in your word?

by reichertsantina 2 weeks ago

People usually pay more attention to incoming traffic than drivers pay attention to incoming pedestrians

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Or you walk on the side of the road where traffic is coming towards you. Like you're supposed to. I'm not missing a car blaring it's headlights in my face.

by Due-Throat 2 weeks ago

You don't go to prison for hitting someone who wasn't paying attention. Matter of fact unless you're under the influence it's really difficult to get prison time for hitting someone or even killing them. Its kind of crazy actually.

by Easy-Sympathy 2 weeks ago

That's not true. But even if you didn't, you'd still have to live with it the rest of your life.

by Repulsive-Meaning 2 weeks ago

When you agree to take on the responsibility of driving a car part of that cost is being aware of your vehicle and its surroundings. If a pedestrian jumps out in front of you obviously you're not at fault but if you see someone on the sidewalk heading to the crossing up ahead you're the one responsible for not hitting them.

by blickkiarra 2 weeks ago

No. People arent.

by Far-Introduction-440 2 weeks ago

Well, I haven't gotten hit, so blow me

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

i rather get run over then listening to strangers conversations all day

by Cheap-Ad-3890 2 weeks ago

omg same

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Same

by Individual_Repeat 2 weeks ago

"deaf people shouldn't walk outside at night"

by Solid-Interview 2 weeks ago

deaf people don't really have a choice - but there is a choice to be able to put on headphones or not

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

missed the point by a mile

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Yeah deaf people are totally aware of the darkness, unlike blind people.

by CommonSprinkles8932 2 weeks ago

Okay, I'll admit I got "woodshed" here too. What am I missing?

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I'm not going to socialise on my walk to work, whether I have headphones in or not. Its just nice to listen to music during my commute. 0 harm or problem with this.

by Sea-Buy 2 weeks ago

Sure, but improving public transport is a complex solution that will take time; years, possibly decades, depending on how many NIMBY bushwhacks live in your area. Simply taking off your headphones takes 2 seconds.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

And costs wasted time. So no, it's not a clear cut thing.

by Rcole 2 weeks ago

I wear my super big headphones all the time, but I don't actually listen to anything. They aren't noise-cancelling headphones, so usually I can hear what's going on around me. They're just there to give a message: don't talk to me.

by Murky_Ad7197 2 weeks ago

I do the same thing with earbuds. They're not usually on. It's just so I can pretend I didn't hear whatever random idiot is trying to talk to me. Sunglasses for the same reason.

by EngineeringNaive 2 weeks ago

You can wear headphones and still be aware of your surroundings.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Mf is blind

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Listening to music whilst walking is what gets me out of the house.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I have to disagree. There are many types of headphones. Many can physically allow external sound to pass through, some do it electronically. Find the right type of headphones for your setting and situation and it's all good.

by Jazmynnader 2 weeks ago

This is just dumb

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

takes out earbud What?

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I suppose you would say def people can't be safe walking ever then?

by santinagerlach 2 weeks ago

They'll always be less safe.

by Popular_Rutabaga 2 weeks ago

one less sense, one less way to sense danger

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

one less sense, a lifetime of innovative senses filling the void

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

They walk quickly, it's known as a Def Jam

by Successful_Bee 2 weeks ago

Deaf people have no choice. People with hearing have a choice.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I wear them in the daytime without audio on to keep people from talking to me.

by Feeneytianna 2 weeks ago

It's 2024, my headphones have 3d amplified surrounding noises

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Nah, I'm not paranoid.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

People have to be okay to accept risk or you're not going to get by in life. Getting in a car is a far riskier behavior than wearing headphones, yet I do that nearly every day. Sure maybe if you're walking in a particular sketchy part of town, late at night, maybe put away the headphones for a bit so you can stay aware of your surroundings. But on a regular basis? That's just silly.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I'd get sensory overload if I took off my headphones and went outside. I'd be way more likely to get sent to the hospital

by swaniawskigiova 2 weeks ago

Same! Wearing my headphones keeps life at a more doable volume. Sometimes I don't even listen to music; I just have active noise canceling and it helps so much. headphones are what got me through high school and college in busy buildings and campuses, and what get me through town now. I don't always need them, but they're a comfort when I don't, and an amazing help when I do.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

i was sorta suicidal in my teens and was hoping to get hit just to feel something. i'd bike around in the dark without a light with music in

by Bernharddarien 2 weeks ago

This is dumb

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I can see your point but I can't concentrate on my surroundings without noise cancelling headphones. The world is too loud.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Guess anything that makes you less aware of your surroundings shouldn't be done. No talking to passengers or listening to music when driving a car.

by BoringArm 2 weeks ago

This is the exact sort of thing earbuds were invented for, and are great for. Popping one earbud in lets me listen to my music/podcast/audiobook/whatever while still having an ear open to hear my ambient surroundings, and if I decide it's safe enough, I can simply pop the other bud in and drown out the ambient noise. You're not wrong about people wandering around with their sound cut off entirely being a bad thing, but honestly, that's part of the general trend of people just not paying enough attention when out in public.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Usually I don't have music, I can hear pretty well but nobody starts conversation.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

It's possible a lot of people don't have the volume all the way up though? I also walk around with low volume so I can still be aware of my surroundings.

by Chaddthiel 2 weeks ago

Well that there sure is an unpopular opinion.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

This might be the worst opinion I've heard on here.

by Mantetyler 2 weeks ago

I was behind a driver today who was wearing headphones. A bit unnerving.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Oftentimes, the buds are on preemptively. No audio, just waiting for a phone call. It's how a lot of people bypass hands free and Bluetooth.

by jacobiamber 2 weeks ago

These were big over the ear studio headphones. That's how I noticed.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Tbf, how is this any different than blasting music super loud in cars??

by Cute-Ad 2 weeks ago

Because it's actually illegal to wear headphones. It makes it less likely for you to be able to hear sirens or car horns. I've driven with loud music vs headphones and there really is a big difference between being able to hear sirens

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Not even on the sidewalk?

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I feel like it's the same as listening to the radio in the car. I walk everywhere. I'm not going to just walk in silence to the grocery store

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

R.I.P. Mia Zapata

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Unpopular opinion: people shouldn't be allowed to cross the street alone

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Yeah definitely 🤣 I had this guy get SPOOKED when I walked past him...even though he glanced at me just a few steps behind 👏🤣👏 Wearing those Apple earbuds with the ear inserts... Must of had the volume too high and didn't use the traffic

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I can hear just fine through them

by marvinrosalinda 2 weeks ago

anyone who wants to kidnap or assault a person will do it whether they find a target wearing headphones or not. i get the logic but lots of people are attacked in broad daylight while being alert of their surroundings.

by rathroderick 2 weeks ago

This is exactly why I wear open-ear bone conduction headphones. I can enjoy my music and still have situational awareness simulatenously. Also, earbuds always fell out of my ears so they suck.

by Roobkaia 2 weeks ago

Goodness... I disagree! Earbuds never fall out of my ears, so they do not suck.

by Enola15 2 weeks ago

How else can I avoid stupid conversations

by Edison81 2 weeks ago

Eh I always use headphones on a walk, but I also carry a 9mm too.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

That's the only fair compromise

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Alternate opinion. It should be safe to walk the streets at any time.

by Vonprecious 2 weeks ago

I have sensory processing issues and migraines that can be triggered by loud noises so headphones are a must, they don't even need to be playing anything, but I need the noise barrier.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I like wearing earbuds when I'm outdoors, but I only keep one in my ear for this very reason. I need to be aware of my surroundings, but I still enjoy my music.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I can agree with that. I use headphones a lot but I always keep one ear open because I want to be able to hear anything that's happening around me. I'd rather not be that person that's confused about what's going on in a serious situation.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Why do some people have such an aversion to typing the word you?

by millsviva 2 weeks ago

I have transparency on. I probably hear better than you do with that.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Ppl shunt type online if they don't no how 2 spell. It makes u look dumb and unedicated.

by abernathyabbie 2 weeks ago

This sounds like a threat. Just try and jump me, buck-o!

by Sudden-Antelope8591 2 weeks ago

Most of the time when mine are in it's to cancel out excess noise but I can still hear people if music isn't playing.

by EntertainerOk 2 weeks ago

Are you just figuring this out? Most women have known this for centuries. We don't wear headphones or only wear one!

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I agree you could easily be taken advantage of and you would never see it coming be aware of your surroundings at night

by Adept-Education-8256 2 weeks ago

I only ever have one headphone in specifically because I have a fear of not being aware of my surroundings.

by chaunceyheathco 2 weeks ago

Yh that's fair

by LakeBeneficial7267 2 weeks ago

Nice try. It doesn't affect you.

by julian36 2 weeks ago

And these people have affected you how?

by Hudsonadelle 2 weeks ago

Taking my dog on a long walk and listening to my favorite podcasts is the highlight of my day.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I wear them so I can have plausible deniability to ignore all the people trying to beg something from me on the street. I don't actually listen to anything while wearing them.

by Ritchieewell 2 weeks ago

I agree. I only ever use one bud if I'm outside, unless I'm at a BMX track or skatepark and actively riding. If I'm around the town, it's for safety, if I'm at the track or skatepark, it's for socializing

by New-Entertainer 2 weeks ago

Bone conduction headphones, my friend.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

The bulletproof - la roux commercial has killed any desire for me to go out and about wearing my headphones

by Bechtelararden 2 weeks ago

One headphone is fine. Two headphones is sketchy. If you also live in a non-walkable place, yea headphones is a bad idea.

by Wisokyjacynthe 2 weeks ago

Or how about people become aware of their surroundings?

by EmployeeParking 2 weeks ago

Or biking or driving or riding a scooter or anything lol

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

True, but particularily in low trust societies If you're walking the street (where there are no cars) like in most of Europe you'd be safe

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Yeah I want to hear someone about to attack me.

by Matteo28 2 weeks ago

Ok MOM lol

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

I don't think you realize that even cheap wireless headphones now often come with an 'ambient/environmental' option which enables you to hear things going on in your vicinity the same way you would with ears uncovered (sometimes even better).

by Queasy-Arrival 2 weeks ago

It's like smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. I think they're aware of the risks and choose to live with it.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Do people really put headphones on just to avoid socializing? I only wear headphones when I'm walking so I can listen to a podcast/audiobook or motivational video, otherwise I wouldn't wear them. But I do agree that if you're not walking during the day like me it's best not to wear headphones

by oceane94 2 weeks ago

What

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

No thanks. I never leave the house without headphones. Else you're just asking to be harassed

by Ok-Act 2 weeks ago

Just because someone has on earbuds doesn't mean anything is playing. I learned this working retail. Introverted customers don't want to talk so they will put in earbuds as a signal to go away. Not all earbuds are noise canceling. Some just sit outside the ear and you can hear EVERYTHING around you.

by Louvenia47 2 weeks ago

I would settle for not having loud conversations with earbugs in in public like you are talking to random passerbys

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Yup a guy got run over by a forklift. He was walking at night listening to music loud. When they found the remains. The headphones and cellphone survived and it was loud. Forklift had no ground guide and could not see properly. (I say forklift but i dkn what its called its those giant trex looking forklift.)

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

What? Vulnerable to what? Are you routinely getting jumped walking down the street?

by ParticularFinance 2 weeks ago

Man, what do you do with all the time saved by not typing out "you?"

by nyasia59 2 weeks ago

Huh... i make sure my music is silent enough to hear important things (screams for help, sirens, explosions, barking puppies) but loud enough for me to not ear every footstep and quiet conversation going on around me. If i get kidnapped at night because of that, so be it 🤷🏻‍♀️ at least then someone has shown interest in me for once

by fstark 2 weeks ago

Too bad... You sound judgy. I'm in San Francisco round Bernal Hill. Every morning I'm up between 2:30 and 3:30 and out for a fast walk up hills and stairs and all round, maybe off to Twin Peaks. I have my music on my ipod and have never been surprised by anything or anyone. I may be blinded by all the damn dazzling lights people are putting up on their houses but that's the only problem I have with my situational awareness. I also have my music on every time I am out to shop or for any reason. Never had a problem. I hear things. I see things. I notice things. You may be a bit paranoid or maybe you just have some problems with perception.

by Enola15 2 weeks ago

then I guess cars should not have radios either since you need to pay attention to driving. And as everyone knows, you turn off/down the radio when you need to see better while driving.

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Sorry but I need my musicccc

by Rohanben 2 weeks ago

Lol

by paulakessler 2 weeks ago

I agree. I also never wear headphones myself. I don't wear headphones to the gym or anything. If I'm not home/in my car around no one so I can play something out loud, i don't listen to stuff. Headphones also take so much of your attention to detail and awareness away, I can't stand being that out of touch with my senses.

by Inevitable-Suspect92 2 weeks ago

I've always felt this way. It's my most boomer opinion. Peoples' situational awareness is terrible because of them

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Sure, if we assume we're walking in the wilderness where roving gangs lurk at every corner and tigers jump from building to building I'd agree with you. We aren't. Can there be accidents or assaults? Sure, but they their frequency is quite low. You do that, in the same manner that you might choose to work at the office instead of from home - it increases your risk (commuting is dangerous) but it also offers something (in the case of headphones, entertainment, in the case of work, socialising). I would never choose office over home, but I'd absolutely choose headphones - depends on what you value.

by Rcole 2 weeks ago

It's a risk we all take. Just like driving a car to work every day.

by Immediate-Owl-9437 2 weeks ago

That's a horrible comparison, one is used for the purpose of transportation the other is willingly deafening yourself and making you a better target

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

You are aware that a lot of people die in car accidents every day, right?

by Immediate-Owl-9437 2 weeks ago

You are aware that purposely making yourself have less situational awareness makes you a target right

by Anonymous 2 weeks ago

Exactly. Thanks for proving my point.

by Immediate-Owl-9437 2 weeks ago