What is the best way to politely and respectfully ask people to turn down their music on public transport?

Question

I find that this is making travelling on the bus and tube a nightmare. Advice welcome from those ofyou who actually do listen to music without headphones from a mobile phone. Would you stop if you realised you were disturbing someone, or would you abuse them?

Answer 1

go up to them and say something on lines of: 'excuse me, i don't mean to be rude, but i was wondering whether it would be possible and considerate of you to turn down the volume'. if however they refuse, or become aggressive, try not to get into a slanging match. but with some kids nowadays who are rude enough to answer back in a disrespectful way it is so difficult to avoid. tell the driver when you're on the bus the situation you're dealing with here. if he does nothing, tell him you'll take the matter further with london transport. get off the bus and get on an alternative one.

i wouldn't have to guts to tell them to their face because i am not very good with confrontation and i worry about getting the crap beaten out of me afterwards. it annoys me too. i listen to my music on the bus but i always keep the volume down and still be able to hear my music. besides, i don't understand those who have the voume up so high on the mp3s, ipods or whatever that every passenger on the bus or tube can hear it. its as if they're a) deaf or b) they stupidly think everyone wants to hear their music

Answer 2

Here in Halifax, NS, Canada, you are not allowed on public transit without using headphones. Contact your local Transit Authority or who ever is responsible to see if they cannot get some kind of ruling. Lets face it the comfort of a busload of ppl and the driver who has enough to contend with far outweighs the need for one to have their tunes blaring for a relatively short period. Not only is it annoying, but it's definately a safety hazard. It's worth a try, & good luck.

Answer 3

I would stop but I would think you had a problem if you couldn't hack it for ten minutes. Why does it get to you so much? Mind you I don't have to travel on the tube or anything so I don't really know how annoying it is.

Answer 4

I just say "Would you mind turning that down?" Usually I get no problem, because the bus drivers will always back up the person who wants quiet over the person who wants to make noise.

Answer 5

I think you should say something like "could you please turn down the music a little?". If the person is considerate, they will, if not then you should bring it to the attention of the driver. Considerate people always think of the confort and well-being of others, so I would never do that myself.

Answer 6

I wouldn't worry too much about politeness, because they're the ones being rude, I would go ahead and be firm about it, and say something like "Please turn down your music, the rest of us don't want to hear it." I would modify my words based on the person and situation.

Answer 7

I would never do that! Unfortunately, the people that actually do this are so inconsiderate and seem unapproachable. I would ask them to turn it down a notch or if you don't want to bother. look for another seat.

Answer 8

A small pair of scissors works well on the earpiece connections.

Answer 9

Ask politely first and if that doesn't work tell them that if they don't you will stuff it up their a**e. usually works :)

Works even better if you are above 6 ft tall, hairy and covered in tattoos :)

Answer 10

I just ask, nicely. Then I tell them, nicely. Then I tell them,

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