Audiobooks as Privacy Tools

If you are an audio book fan, you know the usual reasons for listening.

You pass the time on your commute, improve your mind as you exercise to improve your health.

Amuse yourself as you complete mindless chores, or distract yourself from daily stresses.

I have found another reason to listen to talking books.

I’m the type of person who is accosted by others for my opinion. Whether I am in a grocery store, department store, book store, or library, people seem to want to chat about my purchases or selections. I usually don’t mind offering my viewpoint or making a suggestions, but sometimes I just want to get my errands done! This is where my audio book comes in.

Listen To My IPod While Shopping

I used to wear my iPod to listen to music while I ran around town. When people saw me tapping my fingers or bobbing my head, it didn’t seem to deter them from interrupting me.

One day I was listening to The Shack By William P. Young while dusting, when I realized I needed to run to the store before the kids came home from school. I didn’t want to stop listening, so I kept my iPod playing the audio book while I shopped.

People looked at me, smiled politely and walked away. That’s when the realization hit. Apparently when I listen to a book, something in my face and body language says, “I’m concentrating, do not disturb!”

Inspired.

This revelation has proved very useful in a variety of situations. At the risk of sounding antisocial, sometimes I feel… antisocial. Working in the yard leaves me open to neighborly interruption. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to prolong digging up weeds. I plug in my audio book, assume a thoughtful expression, and answer my neighbors’ greetings with a distracted wave. I got my flowers planted in an hour

Kept on Listening.

Yesterday I was perusing the shelves in a Sam’s Club warehouse store when the unthinkable happened. My iPod battery died. I did what everyone does in this position. I shook it, peered at the screen, shook it again and sighed heavily. In what I considered to be a clever defensive maneuver, I left my earbuds in place and attempted to appear absorbed in my faux book as I shopped.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work. Somehow my expression indicated “Open for Business” and the woman next to me immediately asked my opinion of the nearest item. My response? A smile. She was holding the audio cds of The Shack.

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Tagged as: Audio Book News