Question:
Hi Diane,
I work with a woman who wears her earbuds all day and never takes them out. Knowing they are in her ears makes me feel like she is only “half listening” to me. Is it rude to keep your earbuds in while talking to someone?
Answer:
In today’s often hectic world, earbuds can come in handy when needing a break from the world on your bus ride home, the subway, sitting in the airport, or watching a movie on the plane. There are times, however, when earbuds are not welcome and can easily offend others. Of course, this does not apply to those who require the use of earbuds as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA.
Here are a few earbud etiquette tips:
Be Mindful of Others
When someone is speaking to you, or you are attending a meeting or speech, remove both earbuds and put them in their case. While you may think one earbud in and the other out is acceptable, it conveys that you aren’t interested in what the other person has to say. A safer approach is to have both earbuds out of your ears (and out of sight).
Drive Safe
You might want to catch up on your favorite podcast on a long drive, but wearing earbuds while driving is not safe. Studies have shown that earbuds lead to slower reflexes and reactions, and reduced awareness on the road. Earbuds can block out honking horns, sirens, and important sounds like screeching tires, which make it difficult to react swiftly to danger.
Earbuds in the Office
In the workplace, take a read on your corporate culture. If everyone seems to be wearing them during the work day, including your boss, you can feel comfortable listening to your favorite music or podcast. Always take them out when interacting with clients, office peers, while on a call, and during a remote meeting.
When to Take Them Out
Regardless of how familiar you are with those around you, wearing earbuds during a date, at a dinner table, with friends, or anywhere you will be communicating with another person is rude.
When to Put Them Back In
If you’re wondering when it is appropriate to put your earbuds back in, every situation is unique. In the office, when a coworker stops by your desk unannounced, provide verbal cues that the conversation has ended and you need to get back to your work, such as, “So glad we were about to chat. I’m going to get back into the project now since I’m under a deadline.” In the gym, you may try, “It was good to catch up! I’ll chat with you again soon.” On the airplane, “So nice to meet you and talk for a bit. If you don’t mind, I promised myself I’d listen to this audiobook during the flight.”
