Im reluctant to even ask someone the time because they just stare straight ahead, then say "oh,sorry! I cant hear you!". I've done it to people myself. I used to make friends at the gym and talk to people, now everyone is in their own world. Do ipods make us less social?
205971
Yes, it's like cellphones and other personal technology. People who have them seem to be part of there own world. I'm already interoverted so I don't own a portable MP3 player for that reason.
454753
It is nauseating some times.  People are rude on their phone, they talk too loud, they talk while driving which is extremely dangerous, they talk for too long, they leave the ringer on while at the movie theater, they leave their Bluetooth hanging on their ear which looks RIDICULOUS AND PATHETIC.  By the way, it increases the risk of brain cancer.  Totally unacceptable social behaviour.  Then you have kids with cell phones, people taking unsolicited pictures of others which is an invasion of privacy.  It just drives me nuts!
195644
No that isnt gonna work out. when time goes by it gets harder because you tend to become closer & theres only this far you can go just talking to each other. You cant really share your lives that way.
672880
Forget the clock and listen to your body. It worked for me. Mind you I had no social life!
309108
When   people talk about other people to you, say nothing back.  They will soon stop talking bad about people to you completely,  and they will look at you differently,    in a good way! It really works!
301578
I can relate with you as even I am an introvert but I try my best to step out of the comfort zone. Make a conscious effort everyday to say Hi to everyone you know. That would improve your confidence with the people you know. Once you realise you are being accepted by them, you will slowly gain confidence and then you can try the same with meeting new people. A casual talk on the weather or the surrounding is the perfect ice-breaker. Its all in the mind, and once you conquer it no one can stop you from being an extrovert.
91223
It depends really.  Are the friends listening to their Ipods while chatting too?  If so, it isn't rude at all 'coz they're all doing it anyway or maybe they're all rude?\n\nI'd say a 37 y/o should know better about etiquette.  If it offends you, talk to her about it and tell her how you feel.  You can also borrow your friend's Ipod and listen to it while she chats with you.  She'll get the point, I bet.
357330
You break a introvert with a 2x4!!  Come on! if you dont being around people (or dislike people all together), then why are you so compelled to fall in line with peole that are not like you?  Your confidence has little to do with you wanting to mingle. Trust me, had I a real choice in the matter, I would live so  far in the wilderness that it would take a plane to get to work every day if I had the choice, but its my JOB to interact with people. when the day is done, i want to be left the f... alone!! Take up a hobby that you can do alone yet meet others, like fishing, biking or mountian climbing. \nJoin a Sci fi fan club or RPG group or something. And if you do, make sure its OFFLINE! Stop hiding behind your monitors screen, that'll help a great deal.\n\n There has to be a row of coming of age movies made over the past 50 years that cover the topic of some geeky kid doing all he or she can to mingle with the "in" crowd... rent, look and learn.Dont quit being who you are for the sake of being a part of the crowd.
107937
interesting observation.  I am a musician and a lot of times, people use loud music to shut out the other sounds that constantly assault our ears.  Do this experiment.  Try your best to find 5 solid minutes with no sounds coming into your ears. It is almost impossible in today's world.
335468
It's not just on the bus,,, the do this everywhere. They are Rude, inconsiderate, obnoxious, fools. I couldn't care less about listening to someone Else's private conversations. If they had any common sense, they would take their conversation elsewhere, or ask the person to call them back later, whatever. Yeah I would say it really ticks me off as well. I always turn the volume down in public (or off), unless I am expecting a call, but then I excuse myself when that call comes in.
117781
The short answer to your question is yes.  It is also variable to the situation.  If you are in a small employee break room, it is much more rude than when you are in a supermarket.  It also depends on whether you are talking to someone else at the time.  If you are, it is always rude to answer a cell phone in front of someone.  People also have a tendency to talk louder on cell phones than they do in everyday conversation.  You will notice that in countries such as Englans, people are much more polite when using cell phones.
381644
I think shy people tend to only talk when they are spoken to first.  They avoid eye contact, and probably look uncomfortable if they are in a situation where they don't know many people.  I'm extremely shy (around people I don't know), and I've been told that I come off "mean" and act like I'm "better than everyone else" when really, I just can't get the courage up to talk to anyone!
402002
No.  People tend to mistake our reserved behavior for being shy.  We tend to observe people before we get to know them.  We don't just put ourselves out there.  We try to really get to know people before trusting them.  But we're not shy.  We're usually the one at the party that's standing on the side in deep conversation with someone else.
341403
Have you tried approaching people? I know approaching people can be scary but whats worse? surly you have seen certain groups having fun. Pick out someone and approach them & suggest you go to  a movie or grab some burgers after class. Try not to get your feelings hurt if they cant. Maybe they have plans already, Maybe they arent intrested. Try it a couple times. Exchange phone #s. Most people are scared to approach people. The diffrence between them & you is they already know people, you dont. wich is worse? Feeling slightly embarresed by approching someone. or Crying in your books every day? Good luck. Use some of that old confadince, you can do it!
333581
I totally think everyone needs a little quiet time each day to just be.\n\nJust be quiet.\nAlone.\nIt's great for sanity reasons,unless you're really extroverted.
665381
one, they could of had a private chanel going into which you were not invited...\nthis often happens when two people dont want any one else to hear them, or ... \ntwo, you might have muted the other person, or \nthree, the others have checked you off so you can't hear what they are saying
338479
Why are you being anti-social? Try to go out more where other people are around.