NatNews

It’s not exactly breaking news that many people have their phones with them almost always—in fact, a recent survey revealed that more than 78 percent of individuals essentially don’t ever leave home without their cell phones, and more than 43 percent admitted to being addicted to their phones.

Individuals often have their phones with them when they are working out, not only to reduce feelings of potential separation anxiety but also to use their devices to play music, podcasts, or other forms of entertainment to occupy their minds while they lift, run, walk, cycle, or take part in whatever other activities they choose. It’s a general social expectation that people use headphones when they’re consuming such media, but it’s also not completely uncommon anymore to encounter individuals who are playing their music, podcasts, and videos out loud for all to hear.

Dallas-area resident Josh Odegard said he doesn’t like when he’s at the gym and can hear the music of those who opt not to use headphones in this public space.

“The gym is already playing music that I don’t want to hear—I don’t need another music I don’t like playing at the same time,” he said. “When I have my headphones, it’s not a problem, but sometimes I forget them, or they die before I go in the gym, so now I have to listen to some other gym rat’s crappy music for the rest of my workout. It really kills the mood and makes me want to leave the gym early.”

While the gym makes it much easier for others to hear people’s music in this indoor setting, outside activities offer more freedom and can sometimes change people’s opinions. Odegard prefers not to run with headphones, so he does listen to music out loud on his phone, but he said he is always conscious of where other people around him are.

“If there are other runners near me, I pause my music or turn the volume all the way down until I get far away from them,” he said. “Even when I’m not running next to other runners, if I’m going to pass someone, I still turn the volume down and put my finger over the speaker so that they don’t have to hear it. I wish everyone were as considerate as I am. And as humble as I am, too.”

Like Odegard, Dallas resident Ben Sewell does not want to hear other people’s music when he’s working out, especially when he’s running outside on a path or trail.

“Because music is a personal choice, indiscriminately playing it for all to hear—whether they want to or not—really disrupts those around you who might simply want to enjoy the sounds or peace and quiet around them,” he said. “I run and ride with headphones often because I figure that no one wants to hear my playlist, but sometimes I go without music at all so that I can find my own rhythm and focus with the world around me.”

Sewell said he has noticed that more and more individuals are normalizing playing music aloud in such settings, and he considers it to be quite inconsiderate.

“Public spaces are meant to be shared, and self-centered individuals who don’t respect others by creating noise pollution like this are a growing problem,” he said.

There are also those, though, including Phoenix resident Arin Mearig, who aren’t really fazed by other people’s music being played out loud.

“I usually have headphones in and kind of tune everything else out when I’m working out, so unless it was incredibly loud or really inappropriate music, I would say I’m not too bothered by it,” she said.

Although it doesn’t ruffle her feathers, Mearig said she won’t be one of the people choosing to play music aloud at the gym, but she might opt to do so in other environments.

“Sometimes when I go on my walks outdoors, I’ll play a podcast or some Christian music without using my headphones, but it’s just at a volume where I can hear it,” she said.

The non-headphone lifestyle isn’t only in the exercise world—speakerphone conversations happen in all sorts of places. Odegard said he is not a fan of being near those who choose to take phone calls in such a way.

“Those people often talk even louder than normal, which is even more annoying,” he said. “I don’t want to hear their conversations, and neither does anyone else. It seems like a huge indicator that the person is either self-absorbed or self-centered.”

Why some individuals choose not to use headphones or speak on the phone not in speakerphone mode is not always clear, though many people do consider it to be rather thoughtless to the person on the other end of the phone and to those nearby who hear both sides of the exchange.

“Nobody wants to listen to your conversation, and this type of rudeness is common,” Sewell said. “Do they really think I care about their conversation with a friend? At best, it’s laughable that they want everyone to hear their ‘important’ conversation, but at worst, it can make a bad day that much more miserable.”

Sewell also said on more than one occasion, he’s asked someone at a restaurant to turn down the volume on his or her phone.

“It completely wrecks the atmosphere when somebody chooses to talk or watch TikTok videos at high volumes in a public space,” he said. “People seem completely oblivious to the idea that others don’t want to hear it, and it’s consistent with the continuous dumbing down of people in America. I was raised to be polite and respect the privacy of others, and these habits are in direct opposition to that. I seriously don’t understand why anyone would think that it’s OK.”

Like playing music out loud in public, though, using the speakerphone option during a conversation isn’t necessarily an annoying practice to everyone. Mearig said she thinks that it depends on the specific conversation and setting, but using the speaker on her phone is actually her preferred method.

“Granted, I’m usually at home or by myself in my office when I do that,” she said. “I answered a call in the sauna a few days ago and felt kind of bad because it was quiet, so I tried to keep the conversation short, even though I’ve seen people on their phones in saunas before, too. I feel like it’s similar to music—as long as you’re not yelling (because I’ve definitely heard a handful of people, especially on FaceTime, who seem to talk so loudly), it’s OK. I think it’s all about being aware of your surroundings.”

Including its overseas territories, France has 12 (13 if you include the territory France claims in Antarctica) different time zones, the most of any country in the world.

There are certainly several unwritten social “rules” and standards that people are expected to follow, but not everyone is in agreement on whether or not they are necessary. Even a casual festivity with friends hosted by one individual or family can leave an attendee questioning if he or she is expected to show up with a side, dessert, or beverages.

According to some of Martha Stewart’s etiquette experts, it’s polite not to arrive to a get-together empty-handed. However, individuals who are invited to gatherings that weren’t their ideas to have don’t always feel that they need to bring anything.

“I think that guests should only be expected to bring food, drinks, etc. if it’s clearly stated that the party is going to be a potluck,” Anaheim resident Khuyen Vu said. 

Similarly, Dallas-area resident Stephanie Hone said she thinks that whether or not guests should arrive with contributions to the event depends on the nature of the get-together.

“If it’s something like a Friendsgiving or a potluck-style meal, then obviously everyone should bring something,” she said. “However, if you are hosting your own party, like a Halloween party or something, I think you should provide everything and just ask people to show up. Most of this is contingent upon the formality of the party. For example, if you’re thinking ‘hey, I’d love to have you all come over for steaks tonight,’ I think that’s all the choice of the host saying ‘we will have everything, but maybe BYOB if you have something specific you want.’”

Hone said she also believes that official planned-out events can change expectations and what hosts should be able to ask of guests.

“If you receive any actual invitation to a party, you shouldn’t be expected to bring anything other than yourself and possibly a gift if it’s a birthday party,” she said.

Like Vu and Hone, Dallas-area resident Jake Guercia said he doesn’t think that it should be an expectation for attendees of a gathering to bring food, drinks, etc., unless it was specifically asked of them to do so. However, he said it can be a thoughtful gesture for someone to offer.

“If I were hosting a get-together, I wouldn’t expect anyone to bring anything that wasn’t stated, but it is very courteous and appreciated when people do,” he said. “It shows that they care for the host and want to help out.”

Hone said her hosting expectations depend on the style of gathering taking place, but in general, she said she doesn’t assume that guests will arrive with food, drinks, or other supplemental items to an event to which she invites people.

“I love hosting and having what people need,” she said. “Yet, if it is just an informal gathering and someone asks if they can bring a dessert, I won’t say no. But I love people just being able to show up and enjoy and not worry about bringing anything.”

When guests do bring various desserts, sides, beverages, etc. to a get-together with friends or family, there are often plenty of leftovers on the host’s hands. Oftentimes, the host will offer to send people home with food, while some attendees opt to take home what they brought.

“It is acceptable for the guests to bring home their uneaten food and drinks that they brought after asking first if anyone wants them or not,” Vu said. “But if it was something they didn’t bring, they’ll need to ask.”

Guercia also believes that it’s an accepted protocol for guests to take home whatever they brought with them to the party, dinner, gathering, etc.

“In my family, if someone is leaving early, we will usually do a last call of sorts, and if anyone wants to pack something up in a Ziploc or another container, they have the chance to do so before the guest leaves,” he said.

While Hone also thinks guests can take home leftovers they bring to a potluck-style get-together, she said that is more specific to holiday gatherings at which there is a significant amount of food.

“If I take some dips and chips to a party, I’m not going to take that with me, unless the host makes me, and the party has ended,” she said. “Usually, though, I don’t think you take it with you, especially if you need to leave early. It would be rude to be like ‘hey, I need to go, so can I take home all of the little sandwiches I made?’”

Ultimately, Hone said she thinks guest protocol mostly depends on the people by whom he or she is surrounded, though that’s not even what’s most important in the first place.

“Gatherings should be enjoyed, however that might look,” she said. “Some people love to cook, host, and provide. Some people are better at showing up and bringing the laughter and stories. Some people make those little special appies that you love. And some people just make the most badass charcuterie boards that need to be shared. When you’re with your people, I don’t think rules and expectations matter, because your friendship is woven into all of that.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

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Monday, June 2: Register for the Katy 5K (use code NATNEWS for a discount)
Tuesday, June 3: Free Rooftop Movie — Purple Rain at Sundown at Granada; Frisco RoughRiders vs. Springfield Cardinals at Riders Field
Wednesday, June 4: Global Running Day
Thursday, June 5: Cool Thursdays Concerts Series — Sounds of Summer at the Dallas Arboretum; Lil Baby at the American Airlines Center; TNSR’s 2025 Spring Quarterly Run at Fleet Feet Plano
Friday, June 6: Taylor Swift Tribute — Reputation at Legacy Hall; Blue October at House of Blues Dallas; Candlelight — Tribute to Nirvana at the Irving Arts Center
Saturday, June 7: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; Loco for Coconuts at Truck Yard Dallas; Grand Opening of Judge Charles R. Rose Community Park
Sunday, June 8: Dallas Wings vs. Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center; James Arthur at Texas Trust CU Theatre