Sunday, October 2, 2011

Shades and Headphones

One body practice that I have noticed that has been made even more popular with the invention of mp3 players and smartphones with enough memory to store music files is people in a public place, is for people to be, or at least give off the appearance that they are, completely tuned out with what is going on around them. Before these devices some people would read books or bring something like a yo-yo to tune everyone else out, but now almost everyone has access to some sort of mobile music device. This signifies to everyone else around them that they are not paying attention and most likely do not want to talk to you. I do the same thing with sunglasses. I cleaned pools over the summer and when you have sunglasses on that make it so people can't see where you're looking they tend to give you a little bit more respect or try to hold your attention more because they don't know if you're looking them in the eye or starring off into space. I like knowing that people can't see my eyes because it lets me pay more attention to the details of their body language, without coming off as creepy. I also like to watch the people that go by me when walking down a sidewalk or across the Washington bridge as something to do instead of just look straight forward and pretend to not be noticing anything that is going on besides what people are doing right in front of me. I also notice that when talking to someone and you have sunglasses on and they don't they tend to try to not make as much eye contact, and by another body practice to give the impression that they are less interested in what you are saying, or in holding your attention since they get the feeling that you aren't paying as much attention or might be worried that they aren't holding your attention. Body practices that come up when having a conversation with someone always interest me since there are so many small actions or body movements that can change how a conversation is perceived by one person, or what one person is trying to signify to another person while talking to them.

2 comments:

  1. It's interesting to notice how people have to appear like they are always doing something. Not only do they do this with headphones, but with their phones! If I'm out to eat with my girlfriend and she goes to use the bathroom, I always pull out my phone and look through the settings, just to pretend like I'm texting someone. It's my way of remaining inconspicuous.

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  2. haha it is totally a security blanket for us today. Awkward situation? No worries, just whip out your cell phone and pretend you are texting someone. But why? Are we afraid that people are going to perceive us as 'uncool' if we aren't interacting with someone or some thing all the time? Or maybe its just that we always want to blend in, not stick our necks out, "be inconspicuous" like Cale said.

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