Loud music on public transport?

Question

What would be the best way to tell people to turn the volume down on their MP3s or whatever they are listening? while traveling on the bus, tube, train etc...

This morning on the bus to work, a young girl probably 18-19 had her speaker phone on loud to listen to her tunes, while the bus was full, no one dared to tell her (not even me) although everyone was giving her dirty looks, she couldn't even care less.
I moved further in and there was another woman, listening to some other tunes with her ear pieces but the music was so loud that all you can hear is beats and hissing, which is mostly irritating...
And then another stupid cow sat next to me, with the same loud music leaking from her earphones...

Please advise if it is rude to ask people to turn their noise down, or am I being a moaning cow myself?

Answer 1

Welcome to your new world of being plugged in and tuned out. You can always try to ask nicely if they would turn down their music but it's doubtful you'll get the response you would like. Just think to yourself how much sooner those people will go deaf than you. Maybe that will help.

Answer 2

You're not a moaning cow! It's so selfish isn't it? I hate it, but absolutley the worst bit is that everyone is afraid to say anything. Afraid of a loser like that.
I was on a train last week and some youth had music on loud, not even headphones, just normal speakers. It felt wrong, but no-one said a word.
The kid knew he was in control.
On another train a guy spent the entire journey doing his business really loud on his mobile. In the end another man told him what he thought, but only when he saw that the guy was middle aged and smart.

Answer 3

If it is really bothering you, just ask them.. they are being inconsiderate but if you ask them politely then they should hopefully turn it down.

Tap them on the shoulder, smile at them and say, excuse me, would you mind turning your music down a little bit... Either they will ignore you and carry on, or more likely, they will turn it down for you... Everyone else on the bus is probably thinking the same thing and will be glad you asked

So long as you aren't abusive, overly loud or rude, they have no reason to respond with anything other than agreeing to turn it down... Just be careful to not look like you are trying to embarass them

Either that or listen to your own music and drown out their racket but then you're just adding to the problem

Answer 4

Correctly you should politely ask them to turn it down and they should respond. Regrettably in this country today you are quite likely to get a knife between your ribs! Which is why less and less people actually attempt to make a difference. Those who do make the attempt usually end up on the wrong end of a court case while the perpetrating (and often youthfull) criminal gets off scott-free. My partner is constantly telling me off for raising my hands in despair of the antics of other drivers, afraid that I will end up being shot.
All you can really do is try (as I do on the road) to be polite helpful and correct in your own behaviour - thus leading by example. Untill the government wakes up and shakes up the police to prosecute the violent anti-social young offenders who are currently terrorising the majority of society. Then there is nothing else that you can do as an individual. Don't beat yourself up about not intervening (as a good citizen) this is considered by the authorities to be on PC and you would be prosecuted before the offender.

Answer 5

I don't know - I am tempted to ask sometimes. What I would secretly really like to do is to sing along loudly and slightly out of tune (even if I didn't know the song) - especially to those really irritating phone music player thingies in the hope that they get annoyed enough to turn them down/off. Trouble is - living in London, I would probably get beaten up.

Answer 6

I don't like it when people have music on their speakers really loud, that's down right rude and I think people do it to impose themselves on others and sometimes it seems to be done to intimidate as they know others won't tell them to turn it off.
I however don't mind people listening to it through headphones, even if its quite loud, as I usually listen to music through headphones and turn the volume up until I can no longer hear the screaming babies and people chatting, so it works both ways.
I think the best thing to do is ask politely and that way they can't accuse you of being rude, if they don't listen to you there is little you can do, I think on matters like this its society that needs to change-people should realise that this kind of behaviour is imposing on others around them.

Answer 7

Put your own headphones in!
Once I was alone on the top deck of a bus when a bloke came up and sat down five rows ahead with his music blaring. I went and sat behind him singing along to music that I thought he wouldn't like. He got off shortly after.

Answer 8

It is difficult, if you said anything, however polite your request, it is highly likely you would either be ignored or get a mouthful of abuse.

It happens so often because people have no thought or respect for others, sadly we are moving quickly toward a 'me' culture.

The temptation to have a small sharp pair of scissors to snip the headphone wires is almost overwhelming.

Answer 9

Here is what I'm going to do the next time we get on a bus with the annoying tune brigade. I have portable speakers for my mp3 player, so I'm gonna stick them on full blast, but play something good instead. You know, Barry Manilow or Metallica or something. Oh, and I'm going to sing along really loud, hahaha

I am not adverse to stereo wars - I've had them before and I ALWAYS win. Mwahahaha

Answer 10

i think its not rude to ask someone to turn down the volume to there loud noise music while using public transport , its unbelievable to see a he/she standing in the train and playing this walkman and the song playing is majo majo , who wants to know what that song was about , which lanuage being sang .... some pipo are just rude and never care about other pipo ...and playing that majo majo music in public transportation.. i can imagine how annoying that was ..