Hang out anywhere there are people – the LRT station, fast food restaurants, the ICU – and it can feel as if there’s no escape from their noise. A football game, the Beyoncé discography, FaceTime conversations about nothing: Thanks to the unfettered use of speakerphones, other people’s business is now yours too, loudly.
To be fair, not using headphones may have nothing to do with disrespect. Many smartphones don’t have traditional headphone jacks. Bluetooth headphones can be pricey. Sometimes you just forgot to bring earbuds, and it’s your mom’s birthday.