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by jorisw11 hours ago |
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upvoteby wolvoleo9 hours ago|
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Yeah I take them out too. The only exception is ear protectors (loops) which I wear in discoteques/parties. When I talk to people I don't usually take them out because I wear them for protection. If they notice I will explain and they don't mind.

In fact it's easier to hear them with those in anyway. I'm just very sensitive to sound and I have already damaged my hearing a bit when I was young.

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upvoteby Hoodedcrow10 hours ago|
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> > They keep them in while ordering and paying for things in stores and supermarkets.

> As a GenYer I find this rude and I'll take them out any time I interact with someone.

I don't take my headphones off while paying for things in a supermarket - because you aren't really expected to talk or listen in this scenario, and the cashier doesn't want to interact with you either. But for anything more involved, like ordering something in a coffeeshop - yeah, absolutely.

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upvoteby jorisw10 hours ago|
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> aren't really expected to talk

This is an assumption that I would interpret as rude if I were the cashier

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upvoteby elAhmo10 hours ago|
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Agree, it definitely is rude. Saying hello, good afternoon, responding to a question about cash/card also involves communication, and with earbuds it is simply rude to the other person.

If you don't want to talk to anyone, go to self-checkout or a vending machine, but cashiers are humans and not just robots scanning items.

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upvoteby Hoodedcrow2 hours ago|
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I see nobody saying "good afternoon" in a grocery store, that's the one place where you keep interactions to a minimum. Also, self-checkouts are not always an option because at least the ones at grocery stores here never accept cash.
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upvoteby titanomachy10 hours ago|
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> I think people have the right to comfort and focus

Focus on what?

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upvoteby jorisw10 hours ago|
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Kind of expected this question.

For me, on my own thoughts, rather than other peoples' conversations.

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upvoteby titanomachy2 hours ago|
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Reasonable enough. I kind of assume when I step out my front door that my attention will be hijacked more or less continuously by various things and people until I reach wherever I’m going.
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upvoteby camillomiller10 hours ago|
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>> As a GenYer I find this rude and I'll take them out any time I interact with someone.

Interesting point. Airpods actually work great as hearing aids and I personally use that in loud environments, but I find myself cringing when I do because exactly of what you say. So maybe normalizing their use even when interacting is fine? Still, I can't shake off the idea that I'm not fully connected with you if I'm talking to you and I'm wearing something in my ears...

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upvoteby jorisw10 hours ago|
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Yeah, to me personally it just seems like treating the other person (e.g. a cashier or waiter) like a tool or utility rather than a human being. Even if your music is paused (which they can't know)
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upvoteby danielbln9 hours ago|
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Have you asked an actual cashier what they think? They handle hundreds of people every day, do you really think they consider it rude if people don't chat them up? You can smile and say hello and thank you with or without headphones. This once again seems like a cultural divide, as a German I'm happy if noone talks to me outside of smiles and hello/goodbye, this might be different in the anglosphere.
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upvoteby jorisw9 hours ago|
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> chat them up

You’re conflating intent to chat with the possibility to converse if needed

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