As a child, I was taught that if I'm making a lot of noise in a shared or public place, I've got to tone it down. But lately, that doesn't seem to be happening.
Recently, I went to a local coffee shop, hoping for a chair, a half-sweet latte and a good book. Sitting with my book and coffee, I was relaxing. And then the voice started. A man several seats away was standing next to a young woman with an open laptop. He was informing her about the importance of a workplace database. He bellowed as though he was giving a presentation to a packed auditorium. I read the same sentence five times in my book. The sound of the man's voice was so loud it dominated my thoughts.
That's when my internal protest started. I didn't just want him to stop, I wanted him to understand how his behaviour was trespassing on the thoughts and actions of everyone in this place. I walked over to his table.
"Excuse me. I was just wondering, if you would be interested in knowing about the book I'm reading? I could read you a chapter or two?"
"No," he answered. "We're busy doing our own work here."
"Well," I added. "Then maybe you can understand why I don't want to hear about your database. The past 10 minutes I've been trying to read my book and it's been impossible because of how loud your voice is. I just want to have a coffee and read without bothering anyone with what I'm interested in. I'd really appreciate it if you could do the same."
With his mouth agape, I went back to my seat. His soliloquy stopped and a few moments later they packed up and left.
There seems to be more of this lately: Music blasting from skateboarders, a guy yelling into his phone at a public place of rest, etc. Yet, no one is doing anything about it. Some readers might think, "If you're in a public space you have to accept noise around you." I agree, but it depends on the location. In a coffee shop, doctor's office, emergency room, etc., an ongoing loud noise doesn't feel right.
Years back I read a line that stated, "Silence is consent." If you don't take action to stop it, it's the equivalent to saying, "I'm good with this behaviour. Keep doing it." If no one is doing anything about it, I guess I'll have to go to libraries or cemeteries if I want some peace?
Not really. The other day I was at the library, when a man seated nearby watched a video on his phone with the sound on full blast. No one asked him to stop. So, I guess it's got to be cemeteries. I'll read books and meet friends in cemeteries from now on: Might be a bit dead, but at least we'll hear each other.