It’s funny. My coffee shop, which I frequent daily, is used by its regular patrons as a place to write, eat, and study. It’s essentially a library at all times of the day (save 12am-1am, when it’s more of a chatty time for the regulars, who have been working all evening and seem to relax in its final hour before closing). So it’s typically always silent. The owner (who knows my sandwich order, bless her heart) doesn’t allow cell phones. Tables aren’t set up socially. Nice music is typically playing in the background. There are movie posters in the back that are signed for the owner, thanking her for providing the coffee while the screenwriter worked on the script.
And then… occasionally, a group walks in that hasn’t been there before, and instead of talking in quiet voices, or even normal-level voices, they just chat and laugh like they own the place. And it pisses everyone off. Headphones go on (mine included, which I never use, I hate listening to music while working), dirty looks are thrown across the room, fake coughs echo off the high ceilings.
Personally, I’ve always despised talking when no one else is. If I realize my voice is louder than everyone else in the room, I take it down immediately. I feel that’s part of public manners, decency. Courtesy. Awareness. I can’t stand when people are unaware.
We’re all listening to these three twats talk about their pets, and I’m seriously close to shanking them. No one wants to listen to you talk, and that’s what ALL have to do right now.
I know I’m particularly sound-sensitive, more so than anyone I know, but come on. How can you not know that you’re LOUD and OBNOXIOUS and DISRUPTIVE and not give a shit?!
