Travel Etiquette 101: Headsets On, Volume Down
Can we please end this social experiment where we subject everyone within earshot to our musical tastes and personal conversations?
As travel enthusiasts, you probably (and hopefully) embark on new adventures filled with excitement, anticipation, and (admitted) the occasional inconvenience. Sh*t happens, and that’s ok. But amidst the hustle and bustle of airports, train stations, or any public spaces, there's an emerging nuisance that disrupts the enjoyment of our travels – the cacophony of phone speakers echoing music, social media reels, and phone calls - for all to hear.
Picture this: you're settling into the plush seats of an airport lounge, hoping for a few quiet moments before your next flight. To me, that’s where the vacation really begins: once you’re done with airport security, customs, and other formalities, it’s time to settle in with a glass of wine and just relax.1 Instead, your ears are assaulted by the never ending stream of audio-powered social media reels, blaring beats of someone's favourite playlist, or worse, snippets of conversations that were meant to be private. The lack of headphones is becoming all too common in our modern-day traveling life.
Spatial Awareness
As you may know, I love to text2. While carrying along your smartphone certainly helps to stay in touch with friends and family around the world while travelling, finding your way around a new destination, capturing memories, and much more - it seems we've forgotten one crucial aspect: consideration for those around us. Playing music or videos without headphones not only disturbs your fellow travelers but also encroaches upon their personal space. The minute your personal taste in music dictates my experience, we may have an issue.
So before this escalates any further, let’s collectively reevaluate this behaviour. Can we please end this social experiment where we subject everyone within earshot to our musical tastes and personal conversations? Instead, let's make a conscious effort to use headsets – a simple gesture that can greatly improve the travel experience for all. I tend to carry some of the free headsets airlines give out, and will happily share those free of charge with anyone who didn’t get this memo. It’s a win-win.
Can we please end this social experiment where we subject everyone within earshot to our musical tastes and personal conversations?
Slow Travel: Courtesy and Consideration
Now imagine the serenity of a quiet airport lounge, where the only sounds are the gentle hum of conversation and the soft rustle of pages turning3. You know, from when we brought books instead of iPads. Envision slow-travel (think luxury train style) journeys where passengers can enjoy their own entertainment without imposing it on others. By embracing the use of headsets, we can create spaces that are more conducive to relaxation, focus, and respect for one another's privacy.
As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of travel, let's not forget the importance of courtesy and consideration. Whether we're jet-setting across the globe or simply commuting to work, let's strive to be mindful of those around us. So, the next time you reach for your phone to play music or take a call, remember the using your headset. It makes a difference. Let's turn down the volume on our devices and turn up the harmony of respectful coexistence. After all, in the symphony of travel, every traveler deserves their own peaceful melody.
I talk about this in more detail on page 108 of my book The Freedom Project Travel: “It starts at the airport”
If you’ve missed the memo, my number is 604-210-8668.
You don’t necessarily need to fly business class to access lounges. I often use Priority Pass. See my detailed post about it above or by clicking here.