Headphones
Posted 12 October 2004, 17:34. (Filed under: Life by Andrew)
While I am sitting at my desk staring at my monitor and typing code, I sometimes wear headphones – either to listen to music, or just to keep my ears warm, it doesn’t matter which. If I am wearing headphones, I cannot hear you clearly. When I notice you trying to attract my attention, I will immediately remove my headphones to aid communication. I may then ask you to wait for a few moments while I complete my train of thought. If I remain staring at the monitor without acknowledging you, it’s because I don’t know that you are there. You can employ one of a number of methods to attract my attention:
- Standing in my peripheral vision and looking at me
- Summoning me loudly enough for me to hear my name over my music (not as loudly as you might think)
- Standing behind me close enough that I sense your body heat
- Tapping me on the shoulder
- Waving your hand in front of my face
However, it is important to note that whichever method you use, I cannot hear the words you say until those headphones are OFF MY EARS. If I only get half of your sentence, and you don’t repeat yourself when I say, “Pardon?”, then misunderstandings outside of my control may occur. My ability to infer meaning and extrapolate to determine the probable origins of your speech is highly advanced and finely honed. However, my ears are provide on an “as is” basis without no warranty of any kind, either express or implied.
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