Here’s how and why “blasterbating” became a trend nobody asked for.
Ever notice how some travelers seem to have abandoned their headphones at airports? It’s a trend that’s been both puzzling AND irritating many, especially those of us who value every chance at getting peace during stressful travels.
Well, the mystery is finally unraveling, and the reasons might just resonate with you.
Anxiety-Driven Reasons for Avoiding Headphones
To get straight to the point: many people are skipping headphones because they’re worried about missing important information.
Picture this: You’re enjoying your favorite podcast, then look up to see your plane has left without you.
Sounds scary, right? Well, it’s happened to more people than you might think.
TikTok has become a confessional of sorts for these airport audio mishaps.
One user admitted, “One time I watched my plane leave cause they did early boarding and I had my headphones in lol.”
Another shared a close call: “I almost missed a flight sitting AT THE GATE cause I had my headphones on.”
These aren’t rare cases; they show a bigger issue making travelers think twice about using headphones.
But it’s not just about missing that all-important boarding call. Travelers are wrestling with a whole host of “what ifs.”
What if they miss meal announcements on the plane? What if there’s an emergency and they can’t hear instructions? Or imagine sprinting across terminals because you missed a gate change announcement.
Each worry adds stress to an already tense experience.
Safety is another concern.
Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA agent, advises:
“I would never wear headphones prior to going through security. You want to be very mindful of what’s going on in your surroundings.”
In a post-9/11 world, staying alert in airports isn’t just polite—it’s necessary.
And, to add another layer to this audio onion, let’s talk tech.
Remember when all smartphones had headphone jacks? Those are becoming rare.
While wireless options like AirPods exist, they have their own problems. They’re expensive, easy to lose, and for some, it’s just not worth the hassle of remembering to charge yet another device.
The Dilemma
Here’s where it gets tricky. By ditching the headphones, travelers might feel less anxious, but they’re creating a new problem.
Suddenly, the airport becomes noisy with ringtones, game sounds, and YouTube or TikTok videos playing loudly. It’s enough to annoy anyone who’d like to have every bit of peace and quiet they can get.
This isn’t just an airport issue, either. It’s part of a bigger trend called “blasterbating“.
Blasterbating is when people consume digital content loudly in public spaces, forcing everyone to listen. Besides, we can really just close our ears the way we do with our eyes.
“Frankly I don’t get it. At all. I don’t expect the whole world to be like Japan, but how is it that people think this is appropriate?” wrote travel blogger Ben Schlappig.
“It’s bad enough to do this in public or in a terminal, but it’s even worse to do it on a plane (which is a confined space where you can’t leave) or an airport lounge (which is supposed to be a place to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of the terminal).”
So, What’s a Traveler to Do?
Etiquette experts say there’s a middle ground.
It’s a reminder to be present, especially during important face-to-face talks.
But, for nervous travelers, there are ways to enjoy music and stay aware. Here are some tips:
- Try the one-earbud approach. It’s like having one foot in both worlds—tuned in to your music and your surroundings.
- Keep the volume just low enough to hear what’s going on around you. Think of it as creating your own ambient soundtrack to your travel adventure.
- Set up those flight alerts on your phone. Many airlines now offer text updates for flight info. It’s a smart way to stay in the loop without relying solely on those often-muffled airport announcements.
- If you’ve got fancy noise-cancelling headphones, look for that “transparency mode.” It’s like having superhuman hearing when you need it.
- And always remember: airports are shared spaces. A little mindfulness goes a long way in making the journey pleasant for everyone.