Last night I was talking to my girlfriend E about what I was reading at the moment and somehow, we got into the discussion of mp3-players. In fact, I asked her, "what mp3-player do you use?" To my surprise, she said she didn't own one. Crazy!
You could literally hear me gasp as I tried to imagine the thought of not owning a portable music player. It's almost like someone telling me they don't own a tv or worse, a computer--it's just that crazy (yes, I used the word again).
It really shocked me because we often talk about music and though our tastes are really (extremely) different, I have been opening up and giving her suggestions a try. With that said, I knew she was a music lover. Apparently, only in front of her computer, at the comfort of her own home.
What does she listen to on the train, on the way to work? Nothing. On good days, she reads. Some days, she eavesdrops on random conversations. But none of her activities have anything to do with music and she tells me she doesn't need it. She doesn't need music... she is one amazing women, ladies and gentlemen (no sarcasm!).
Recently, my earphones broke and I had to send them back in for a replacement. The whole process took about two weeks so for two weeks, I was music-less on my journey to work. It was hard, but bearable. I felt like a smoker who couldn't get his hands on cigarettes for two weeks. You deal, but not by choice. At least as a smoker, you can bum one off another, but it's not like I can ask the person next to me for a side of their headphones.
I'm sure at least 95% of the people who read this blog owns one. If you are the 5%, why? If you're the 95%, how long can you go without it?
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My thoughts on the Prince Charming post can be found in the comments section of my previous post. I didn't want to steal the thunder from this post or time stamp the previous one.
Comments (47)
I'm one of the 5%. :D
But I'd love to have one. I'm still saving up for it.
I don't have a phone, but I have two MP3 players. Only one works where I am because I can't charge the other one. Losing that one would be crushing right now.
i'm ...in the between.. I have one, but I don't use it. I have it because it's a free gift...:D
Why i don't use it? well, i'm too lazy to download music...actually i don't download music..(or i don't know where to dl it..haha)
@azarmc - With some you don't have to download. On mine, I just hook it up to the earphone jack and hit encode when I hear a song on the computer I like and it records it like that through the sound jack. I can also record music off the TV, radio, whatever as long as it has an earphone plug.
i was in the 5% up until April this year. I gave in and bought an iPod. I don't use it much though.
i own one, but i rarely listen to it on my commute. i read, do crossword or sudoku, nap or people watch.
my husband and i witnessed a woman crossing the street without looking - or listening - and she almost got hit by a car. the car swerved and honked and his tires screeched. the driver looked back and yelled out the window "she didn't even look!!" 30 seconds later, the girl/woman crossing the street makes it to our side of the street, she finally realizes something is amiss and mouths to us "was that because of me?" total idiot.
i like being able to be aware of my surroundings on the subway and on the street.
I listen to music nearly everyday on the tram ride to work, wouldn't be able to start the day if I didn't I'd have my down low and listen to the random conversations people have. Weird? Nah!
I have an Ipod. But the reason I responded was because I was curious... Why did you go two weeks headphoneless? What kind of headphones do you use that you sent them out for repair, and why on earth don't you have a cheap-o pair of back ups? You could have stopped at CVS or something and picked up a pair of sony earbuds for like, $6
I do not own a mp3 player because I have music on my cell phone, but the only time I really to music is while I'm in my car. I love listening to music, but I can live without listening to it 24/7. :)
@Pa_Nhia - if you don't have an mp3 player, but you have music on your phone -- then you have a portable music player, which is essentially what an mp3 player is. ipod isn't even an mp3 player.. it converts mp3 files into itunes files which is mp4a for it's own encryption.
@jigg - oh your layout changed.. i like it. :)
i have an ipod.. i *can* live without it, but probably not for very long. i used to work in retail, so background music is always playing and i got used to that. i was once in Express and noticed that their music wasn't playing and alerted an employee, who quickly said, "OH! Oh we forgot! we'll turn it on now, thanks!"
in my opinion, even having background music is good to fill in awkward silences. whether you choose to zone it out or selectively listen to bits of it is your choice, but if there is an awkward moment, you both (or parties if its big) are just listening to the music, and not thinking about who should say what and when.
i actually rarely use my ipod though.. i use cds cuz thats what is equipped in my car.. no ipod auxiliary hookup. and since i got the blackberry, i've been listening to music on there when i go work out.. cuz i can do otherstuff too while i'm resting or whatnot.
one time i left home without my earphones and i actually went back home to get it. i was already like, half-way on my journey to work. yes that's how important it is to me.
i have 2 ipods and wouldn't part with either! without them, i'd have a hard time going to the gym. one travels with me everywhere, even in the car everyday. i need music and can't stand radio!
yay for your new relationship! my bf said people are more likely to start new relationships in spring rather than any other season. the more i think about it, the more he seems right!
I don't own an MP3 player. I don't need it, and I don't understand why people need to have their music on 24/7.
I actually do have two backup pairs but I loaned one to a friend and couldn't find the other one.
I use the v-moda vibe duo 2. They are my favorite, but unfortunately, break relatively easy. Good thing they give you a new pair within the year's warranty.
-ray leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
@J_Damask - I know, but I barely listen to the music on my phone. :p
i dont have a blackberry/iphone
First of all, must give you major points for surviving two weeks without music. You probably could've guessed that I'm in the 95%. I remembered back to all those times when I forgot to charge my mp3 player the previous night so the bus rides on the way to school were not pleasant ones.
NO Mp3 player? My life revolves around music 24/7. If I'm not listening to my cello pieces on my computer, I'm listening to soft jams on my stereo, if I'm not listening to my mixed collection on my Mp3 player while in transit, I'm listening to a mixed tape (my car has issues) in my car! I mean, the only time I'm not listening to something is while I'm sleeping (I listen to the radio in the shower)!!
the longest I went without an mp3 player was 2 weeks. I guess your gf doesn't surround herself with music unless she's in front of the comp and I guess in a way, she's not "addicted" like the rest of us (?).
I am the 5% that doesnt listen to music around. I listen to music at home and in the car, but i feel that listening to music or having headphones in the world makes you unapproachable and isolated. I like the human interaction and having those random conversations with people when they come up. If i ahve headphones on, the chances of this happening are less.
I own a portable CD player, then mini disc player, then 1st generation iPod shuffle, and iPhone.. but I don't really use them for music.. I listen to music when I'm driving... There's faint music in my office right now on the radio station.. and when I'm at home I'm listening to music on youtube or online radio stations or looping the same mp3s over and over..
I used to listen to music on my iPhone until the speakers broke and the music sound like crap. My iPhone handsfree broke TWICE therefore I haven't been using my iPhone for music. The only times I use my iPod shuffle is on the plane or a long road trip...
I sound very non-musical but I play the piano.lol
and I didn't know you have a girlfriend now !
I own a MP3 player, but I never use it. It's not really surprising though, since I hardly listen to music. I tend to get bored if I'm only listening to music, so I always need to be doing something else too. However, music tends distracts me while I'm reading, so the only time I really listen to music is while I'm cleaning or doing other jobs that don't require much concentration. On the bus I tend to sleep or read, since I don't like the way music shuts out the world. Not that I really mind when the world is shut out, I just like to know when stuff is going on that requires my attention.
I didn't have one until this year... I got a shuffle as a gift.
I have never owned one. I owned a portable CD player as a child, but only used it maybe once a year or two when we moved (military family). Personally, I never wish to have one.
People aren't very good at being alone with their thoughts. They need constant outside stimulation. People tell me that I give great advice, have an excellent memory, and am extremely persuassive, among other things (cocky, lol). A large part of all of that is that I think ALL day. I constantly examine things when going from A to B, debating myself, etc. I also examine myself and my own beliefs, opinnions, etc.
I do it so much, that I constantly have multiple things floating around whilst going about my daily life, whether I'm playing video games, at work, or taking a test. It has made me a much better person than if I had not, I think. It doesn't mean I'm not musically inclined though. I play 2 instruments and flirt with at least 3 others.
I'm the 5%.
I don't know how to use an ipod. Yes I admit it. I actually have an ipod I got from work as a gift when the nano first came out but I had no interest in it, I handed it brand new in box right over to my husband who is a musician. Don't get me wrong, I'm really into music and used to be big into walkmans and discmans back in the day (yes I'm old). I listen to streaming music at home and at work constantly, however, I don't feel like I need an mp3 player outside of that. I just need the quiet time to do something else. Just for the record, I commute 3 hours a day and spend that time doing crosswords, puzzles and reading.