[Fleury29]

Nobody talks to me, so when we are in the break room at work waiting for the event to be over, which can be sometimes hours, they'll all talk and joke, and I'll close my eyes, and turn on something on my iPod to try to drown it out, but I have to keep half an ear open in case they tell me to do something. I usually wind up listening, not out of malicious intent, but it seems to always be just above what I can manage on the volume on my iPod. I've noticed that people get mad at me for listening, and I don't understand. I don't even know how not to listen when it's all I can hear anyway. How do you tune out things like people talking when you can't avoid it?

[Travelinglady]

Hmmm. Maybe they are offended because you are listening to music but they know you are still hearing them. If you aren't going to add to the conversation, then the best thing is to move away from the rest of them. Could you possibly say something like, "I'm going over hear to listen to some music. If you need me to do something, then just tap me on the shoulder."

Are you able to actually communicate with the rest of them? They might not be talking to you because you aren't talking to them.

[Fleury29]

Do you have any advice on how to tune out stuff? I can't seem to if I can hear it. If I hear keys jingle my brain starts listening to that instead it drives me nuts sometimes.

[Perna]

Maybe change modalities and read instead of listen to music? I can understand how, if you are in "listening" mode, you would scan to hear what's being offered and overhear/listen in on other people's conversations. But if your eyes are busy and you are "looking" instead of listening, maybe that will help? How about writing; maybe jot down some notes about what has gone on so far and what you expect for the rest of your day or something, engage your brain in another way. I'd maybe take a correspondence course or buy a workbook and do work in it and learn something new or help me with something I have trouble with.

[Travelinglady]

Yes, if you can if might be better if you go off to another place in the snack room and at least pretend to read. You'll still hear when someone needs you. Our brains are designed to tune into our names especially.

[-jimi-]

If someone is having a conversation knowing I am able to hear them, the information they share is mine too and I can do as I please with it. If they don't want to be heard they should go talk somewhere else.

[H3rmit]

I cannot tune out noise, especially people talking. I have industrial strength earplugs and earmuffs as well. I never go anywhere without earplugs. I wear them a lot. On the bus, in exams, when working in the library. This might not work well for an ordinary work situation. In your case, I would either try to avoid being there, or I would join the conversation, use it as an opportunity to observe and try to understand people. However, this is not conducive to relaxation or enjoying lunch, if you're talking about a lunchroom at work setting. I feel your pain.