Smart Phone Noise

[Big Boy]

I think most of us would agree that Thailand is quite a noisy country, but a new (for me) annoyance that I've only noticed recently is Smart Phone Noise.

It used to be that a lot of Thais would go around listening to tunes on their phones, or watching movies/TV, but they used to have the decency to have earphones in. I've noticed the use of earphones is diminishing.

As an example I was sat in a hospital waiting room yesterday, and there were at least 5 different channels blaring out. I don't mind a bit of background music, in fact I enjoy it. However 5 different tunes at the same time is stupid. Yesterday was not a one off, in fact it is happening more and more. Even at home, I can be watching TV, and my granddaughters will start listening to different things on each of their phones. IMHO it is pure ignorance. If I see one of my granddaughters watching something on their phone, I wouldn't dream of switching the TV on.

I've given just 2 examples, but this trait is getting more and more. One, I don't mind. More than one, it just becomes a horrible racket.

[buksida]

Thais are oblivious to background noise, and they can just block it out so it doesn't bother them when other people make noise, they just make more themselves. The popularity of social shite like Insta and TikTok, which are just endless streams of mindless video clips, have made things worse.

Japan is the total opposite where it is even considered rude to use your phone on public transport, and its a definite no-no in restaurants. I know which place I prefer!

[Big Boy]

I've sort of accepted taking family out for a meal, and 75% of them are constantly on their phones. One phone playing, becomes background noise, and I can live with it. Multiple phones sounding off, when I'm trying to talk just puts my brain in a spin. Maybe its just an old age/miserable git syndrome.

[PeteC]

Buy and carry one of these!

phpEEgiRHPM.jpg (24.1 KiB) Viewed 4510 times

[Dannie Boy]

Trying to deal with the issue in a restaurant or hospital etc could cause quite an issue, but educating your grandchildren should be relatively easy.

[STEVE G]

Thais are oblivious to background noise, and they can just block it out so it doesn't bother them when other people make noise,…..

I used to wonder about that until I spent some time in an Issan village. It’s just constant noise the whole time with a cacophony of dogs, chickens, pigs, water buffaloes, ducks and farm machinery. Then you have all the normal noise of family life as everyone pretty much lives outside, children playing, babies crying, spousal argument's etc. Near our house was the village meeting point that had tannoy speakers on it that often started blaring at 06:00 with village announcements.
Forget any images of rural tranquility, I’ve lived in huge cities that are quieter. I think the only place that I’ve ever lived that was noisier was on an aircraft carrier.

[buksida]

Forget any images of rural tranquility, I’ve lived in huge cities that are quieter. I think the only place that I’ve ever lived that was noisier was on an aircraft carrier.

I can relate to that. I've had to move back to the city because the countryside and rural Thailand is too noisy (primarily construction noise, strimmers, chainsaws, and roosters ... it's constant and all day long). The city has different noises, namely teenagers on loud scooters and speaker trucks.

I wish I had the ability to block it out without using industrial oilrig ear plugs.

[Big Boy]

Trying to deal with the issue in a restaurant or hospital etc could cause quite an issue, but educating your grandchildren should be relatively easy.

The grandkids are 18 and 24 - a bit late

[Dannie Boy]

Trying to deal with the issue in a restaurant or hospital etc could cause quite an issue, but educating your grandchildren should be relatively easy.

The grandkids are 18 and 24 - a bit late

For your own grandchildren I’d say it’s never too late, although you should have dealt with it when they were somewhat younger.


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[Big Boy]

That is the point, it is all a recent thing for me.