What is proper iPod etiquette?

Question

I've recently gotten an iPod, and I've realized that it is sometimes awkward to be listening to your iPod when doing certain things. Like ordering lunch at the school cafeteria. Or buying something at the store. I just want to know when or when not to listen to your iPod.

Answer 1

Don't listen to your Ipod when you are in a situation where you absolutely know you have to interact with another individual; like at a store, in a restaurant, in a social setting, etc.

It's ok to listen you your Ipod at the gym, while walking/jogging, sitting in the library, sitting at a coffee shop, on an airplane, etc.

Answer 2

I've recently gotten an iPod, and I've realized that it is sometimes awkward to be listening to your iPod when doing certain things. Like ordering lunch at the school cafeteria. Or buying something at the store. I just want to know when or when not to listen to your iPod.

Answer 3

Generally, you can treat it like a cell phone. Any circumstance where you will need to interact directly with a person, it is somewhat taboo. Just like being in the checkout line, ordering food (this really makes your server angry, by the way, which is just bad food policy) or any situation where your presence means someone must give you their attention, in exchange for yours.

The major difference between cell phone and iPod etiquette is use in crowds. While an extended cell phone conversation (especially if you must be loud for the listener) should be taken off to the side ("What? No. Yea, yea, I can hear you!" So can everyone else!) headphones are perfectly acceptable, especially if you have no interest, whatsoever, in being approached on the subway.

If you feel awkward or embarrassed, or must repeat yourself (or another person must repeat themselves) then you are in one of those situations.

However, if you are one of those people who leave the earbuds in, and stop or pause your tunes when you must converse, then the rules don't really apply, as you are being respectful to those you must interact with, you just don't want to stash your headphones every time you have to speak or listen.

Think courtesy, and you will probably never go wrong. Sure, some people will still get crabby at you, but that will happen anyway. If you know you are being respectful to those around you, don't sweat people who are just plain mean. After all, it isn't like you are carrying a boom box, or anything.

Answer 4

You can listen to your iPod while your walking down the street, running, working out, at home (obviously, but not at the dinner table), or at a library. Don't listen to it at all during school. Well actually, you could probably listen to it while your eating lunch. (But not too loud, it would disturb people near you.) You definitely don't want to use it when someone is talking to you, at a store, in the mall, or at a resturaunt. There's a time and place for everything, and for an iPod it's pretty much when you have down time.

Answer 5

For a quick transaction, like the grocery store where they'll scan my items and then I swipe my card, I normally take one earphone out. If you're actually placing an order, you should take them both out and hold them.

People compare it to cell phones, but it's really not the same. The cell phone is an active conversation that you're having, like bringing another stranger into your conversation. The iPod is a passive device, such as flipping through a small book while you go about your daily tasks (except the book takes more of your attention than an iPod does usually).

Never drive, bicycle, or cross train tracks (or the street until you look both ways) with both earphones in! There was a person who got run over by a train not long ago crossing the street while listening to music and talking on their cell phone at the same time (as crossing the tracks, and probably chewing gum at the same time no less!).

Answer 6

Ipod etiquette?! lol. That is laughable to say the least. While I'm a big fan of gadgets, and I think Ipods are really cool, I refuse to let such a thing shape my social conduct. You can call it "Ipod etiquette", or anything that makes you feel as part of the Ipod social trend. There are dozens of brands of mp3 players that serve as the same purpose as ipods, so why call it Ipod etiquette, in particular? I'll just call it commonsense! So use your commonsense. Unlike cell phones, Ipods and other portable digital music devices for that matter wont directly affect anyone around you while in use. If someone approaches you, and talks to you while you listen to your Ipod, they should be aware you might not give them full attention. It's your privacy, and people should respect the limits of it. But it's up to you to be considerate enough to take your earbuds out and give people attention. Personally, I think unless you are on your professional enviroment, You shouldnt worry about such "Ipod etiquette"

Answer 7

Yea, I think you figured it out, dude. Any of those awkward situations you mentioned, plus any of the other ones mentioned by those responding to this question, where you are talking to someone or someone is talking to you. If you want to appear that you actually know and use proper etiquette, it's probably a good idea to put the iPod away if talking with someone for any length of time, like others have suggested.

Answer 8

When I'm shopping or paying for something (gas, food, whatever), I usually have my iPod in my head. I just take one of the earphones out so that I can still hear the music and the person that I'm interacting with. If it's something important like a job interview or a family gathering, then you don't want your iPod on... that's just rude.

Hope this helps and congrats on your new iPod!

Answer 9

Don't listen to your Ipod when you are in a situation where you absolutely know you have to interact with another individual; like at a store, in a restaurant, in a social setting, etc.

It's ok to listen you your Ipod at the gym, while walking/jogging, sitting in the library, sitting at a coffee shop, on an airplane,

Answer 10

Its better not to think of what are a set of rules to use while listening to your Ipod but instead to think is the Ipod helping you or hindering you. When you are at the library studying the Ipod is helping you, but when you are trying to talk to someone and listen to them the Ipod is hindering you. Use judgment and remember that when your head phones are in even if the Ipod is off people will think you are listening to it and not them.

Answer 11

I leave my iPod earpieces in when in the store and when in line at a deli for lunch or something. I just put the volume real low, or sometimes only wear one side. That way I am still enjoying my music, but if someone is trying to get my attention I can hear them. Also, I don't make a point of pulling the iPod out of my pocket to turn it down once engaged in a conversation. That is rude... like letting them know they have interrupted you. Instead, I **non-obviously** go into my pocket and turn the volume down without removing the iPod. Sometimes I will only have one earpiece in. And just for laughs... I once went on a first date and the guy actually had the balls to leave one of his earpieces in his ear and nod his head to the beat of his music. NEVER do that! Wow, I know how to find the winners.