In the last few weeks, some people started to complain that people no longer want to engage and connect with others. One of the main annoyances and obstacles to “community building,” according to those who complained, is that many people prefer to use earbuds. For example, on a TikTok, a woman from New York complained about wanting to connect with strangers around the city but couldn’t get their attention because they were wearing headphones. While some people understood the girl, many others made their own videos in response.
The original TikTok belongs to kellsbellsbaby, but it is reminiscent of a complaint similar to crumahoney’s viral video. In these videos, both complain about wanting a nice walk until they see someone and approach them to chat, but they can’t handle people ignoring them. It’s not that people were intentionally ignoring them, but that they were wearing earphones. To this, kellsbellsbaby asked, “I am gonna need everyone to start popping out the earbuds and turning down the noise canceling.” The ridiculous attitude of this New York woman complaining about wearing headphones caused a lot of reactions, like soogia1’s TikTok. In addition, many more users started posting things like:
Why are extroverts so NEEDY?
Leah Marie
Someone replied on her vid “you’re the reason we wear earphones” and…yes.
J O N
Interacting with other people and making human connections is essential, but everyone is responsible for doing it and doing it in their own way. No one deserves your attention just because; besides, we don’t know what others are going through. Some are too tired or just don’t want to interact. Besides, we don’t consider that there is a lot of insecurity, so a “friendly chat” might not end well because the other person is a complete stranger. Also, many users pointed out that some people are anxious or shy, but many extroverts may enjoy talking to a stranger. That is why it is important to read the social cues
