Rude to wear headphones/airbuds while grocery shopping?

[Anonymous]

Old person not adapting to new technology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I take them out to check out, as I think that's the only time it's rude to have earbuds in my ears.

I do this too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no problem. It was just some Karen with a weird obsession. You're fine, OP.

Wearing earbuds in the grocery store isn’t rude. Calling someone “Karen” to complain about their behavior is. OP gave no indication that the busybody was named Karen, and odds are, she isn’t. In fact, the odds aren’t any greater that her name was Karen, than that the OP is named Karen. While this is admittedly a remote chance, if OP’s name should, in fact, be Karen, you will have compounded the rudeness inflicted upon her.

I’m guessing your name is, in fact, Karen.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never thought about wearing earbuds in the store and don’t see the appeal (but also I kind of like grocery shopping so that might be why) and I also think the busybody was rude! You heard/saw her and politely turned off your book to converse with her; that much seems above and beyond to my NY-raised soul tbh.

[Anonymous]

It's only rude if you're wearing them while interacting with others (ordering at the deli counter, for instance, or going through a check out line with a cashier or you run into someone you know at the store and they stop to chat). It's not rude if you're just walking around shopping. Why did that woman want to talk to you in the first place? Just to tell you wearing headphones is rude or was there some other reason she was talking to you?

[Anonymous]

I am a woman in my late 60s and regularly listen to music or a podcast or whatever I am currently listening to while shopping, grocery stores and all other kinds of stores. It's nobody's business but my own.

Those of you characterizing this as an age thing are showing your narrow mindedness and ageism but then that's nothing new here.

[Anonymous]

I can’t tolerate shopping without an audiobook and I see many other people with AirPods. She was just a crabby old lady, Op.

[Anonymous]

Every time I see someone wearing them in the store I think how great of an idea it is. And then I never remember to do it myself lol. It would probably help me feel more relaxed if I had mine on. I hate going to the grocery store.

[Anonymous]

How the hell is it rude? Is it rude for you to wear them walking down the street or in the metro? This is so ridiculous. I get that it would be rude to wear them while at the counter but that’s no diff than people on the phone while ordering things.

[Anonymous]

Rude by itself? No. Rude if you are blocking an aisle or section of the groceries for a lengthy time and cannot hear people trying to say excuse me to get around you. My guess is the AirPods make you oblivious to others, and you are unintentionally doing something to get in their way.

[Anonymous]

Why didn’t you confront her about being rude and obnoxious. If she doesn’t learn her lesson she’ll do it to others

[Anonymous]

I wear my airpods almost every time I leave the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why didn’t you confront her about being rude and obnoxious. If she doesn’t learn her lesson she’ll do it to others

Because 1. this was low key hilarious, and 2. when you get old you're entitled to be a little crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I take them out to check out, as I think that's the only time it's rude to have earbuds in my ears.

I agree 100%. I wear mine all the time when I'm out and about, but never when I'm checking out--I'll remove at least one then, usually both. I also think it's unwise to wear them if you're in a place where you need to have your wits about you. I'm a public bus driver and the overwhelming majority of people have AirPods or similar in. I greet everything and think it's a hair rude when people blow by and ignore me, but truth be told, I'd probably do the same thing if I rode the bus everywhere. I think if you're at a bus stop or walking in a busy area, take them out or turn them down, just so you can hear what's going on around you or if someone is sneaking up on you, or the bus driver is making an important announcement etc. I think it's colossally stupid to drive with them in and it should be illegal if it isn't already.

[Anonymous]

It is rude by older standards.