How to request people not to talk loudly in public space?

Question

without being insulting. Also, some people have this persistent habit to 'yell' at their cellphones. Sometimes, the voice can be so loud and shrill that you can hear it at the other end of the hall.

You also have to think twice when you know who you're speaking to, e.g. if it's a 6'8" Black guy with an angry look, a redneck trashy bimbo - I mean the kind of people who are likely to charge back at you with something like "Wha-chew lookin' at?" You simply don't want to mess with their attention problems

But does that mean you have to tolerate their nuisance? Well mostly EVERYONE does

Answer 1

Pretend you thought they were asking you something, and then say: 'Excuse me? Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were talking to me'

Answer 2

I have had this happen in many instances. If you are in a restaurant, and a group at a table are roaring out loud with laughter, and talking loud enough for everyone to hear their business and you have to talk louder than you'd like, to be heard by your own guest; the next time the waitress or waiter comes by to see if everything's okay, say no. Then explain the situation. It is their place to ensure that you enjoy their establishment. If people want to be loud, they should order a private room or area where they won't disturb others.
If you are in a movie theater, the same thing applies, that is what ushers are for, you tell them, they deal with it.
If someone is blocking an area of a grocery store or any store, to answer a personal call and chat or argue,say,"Excuse me, I need to shop where you are talking."
If they just keep moving down further where you are going, then go to the service desk and tell them that a customer's personal phone call is interfering with you're shopping,and you are in a hurry.
If you can hear the person gossipping about a friend, then say out loud so the person on the other end hears, "Well if you're friend is so bad why do you hang with her?" They may respond with , " Excuse me, this is a personal call and none of your business." Say, "Lady , you're talking so loud you're making it my business, if you want it personal, take it outside."
I had a friend who dropped by without calling first, and once they came in disrupting my day, answered their cell phone 5 minutes after arriving, and continued to talk for 30 minutes, to this person, while I just sat there waiting. So I got my jacket and my keys, and said," If you came over to talk on the phone, I'll have to ask you to cut it short, as I had plans and am running late." You don't really have to have plans, just pretend you do, and go out with them, and when getting in your car,say, " Come and visit again when you have time for me." Then take off in the opposite direction from them and just go a few blocks ,turn around and come home. They will feel that they insulted you so, that it won't happen again.
The same goes if you just got on the phone with an expected call, and unexpected company comes, just say,"I've been waiting for this call, so go in the living room and turn on the TV and I'll be with you in a while." Then go into a different room and close the door so you won't be disturbed or heard. It is not impolite as the proper thing would have been for them to call first to see if you were busy and if you wanted company. But to have company come and then answer calls, is just plain rude.

Answer 3

Ha ha ha ha, exactly what I have gone through while living in Shanghai, China for 4 years. The Chinese there talked loudly everywhere and they don't give a damn who is listening or whether they are disturbing others.

They would talk loudly (sounds more like yelling or arguing) with one another in public places, restaurants, trains, lifts and on the plane. They yelled down on their hand phones too.

I have once politely asked a Chinese man (in Mandarin) to soften his voice in a restaurant as his table was just next to mine. He gave me a blank look and continued. See how ignorant and stupid some Chinese can be. Rudeness and selfishness are everywhere in China.

Everyone knows that we should not tolerate such bad behavior but then again, do we want to end up being bashed up by these a**holes? If they are civilized in the first place, they shouldn't be talking so loud in public space. Sometimes, all I can do is gave them a long stare, shooked my head and walked away.

Answer 4

Just learn to re-focus and try to fade them out, or leave the area, if possible. But, in a public place, there is really not a whole lot that you will probably be able to do to make it stop. You might be able to piss a lot of people off no matter how nice you are about it though.

Answer 5

Pretend you get a phone call and say 'OMG you would not believe this, this guy/girl near me wont SHUT UP!!!! im getting really angry!!!' they should take the hint, if they dont, move.