There is a chance that as I approach the latter years of my 30s, with the stress of two children under the age of three tearing away at my sunny disposition, I am becoming a bit of a grump. But that pales into insignificance compared with what appears to be a worrying and rising trend in public places.
More and more people think it is absolutely fine to blast loud music or videos from their phones on public transport, or to have very loud conversations on loudspeaker. On my recent commutes on the Merseyrail network, I have found myself increasingly enraged by those who believe the whole packed carriage should listen to whatever they are listening to.
A minor "Falling Down" moment
Well, on Tuesday morning it all got too much for me. As I prepared to get stuck into my book, I noticed a blaring noise coming from just behind me. A man was blasting out music from his phone – a lot. This was not just any music, but heavy metal. With no offence intended to metal fans, these particular tunes were about the last thing I needed at that early point in my day.
As the din continued, I glanced around and clearly others were as irritated as me. I looked from furrowed brow to scowling face and realised that while annoyed, no one was in the mood to say anything. Maybe the fact I was already a little stressed out from going head over heels on the pavement an hour earlier meant that, like a young Michael Douglas, I finally cracked.
The confrontation
I asked the man who was casually cranking out Metallica to all corners of the carriage if he didn't have headphones he could use – like everyone else who was choosing to listen to music on the train. He said he didn't. I asked if that therefore meant we all had to hear what he was listening to. He repeated that he didn't have headphones. I pointed out that his actions were a little anti-social.
As I moved to another part of the train, I am fairly certain he turned the tunes down or off altogether. He hadn't reacted especially badly or aggressively to my questions, and maybe he simply hadn't realised the impact his actions were having.
Why I spoke up
I am glad I spoke up, largely for the knowing nods of respect I got from some around me. Not all heroes wear capes; some are exasperated, portly regional journalists, I told myself.
So what can be done about this practice when there isn't an irritable dad-of-two around to make the point? Well, the issue has become so prevalent that some have even suggested legislating against it.
