There's a flipside to that, though. Being the utter B'Stard (that's not diddling the swear filter, it's homage) and misanthrope that I am, being plugged into personal stereo / MP3 player has made it a lot easier to be completely antisocial - gym, mainly, but also whilst shopping.
Without it - especially in the gym - it can be like a green flag to the needy to try and smile and strike up a conversation with me. FFS what's wrong with these people...
I'll let you into a little secret, too - when I've got earphones in (I don't wear any of those big, fecking stupid cans on my ears while I'm out and about) I don't always have any music playing, I sometimes just have them in, when I'm not in the mood for listening to music, just so that people don't try and make conversation with me. I love hating everybody. Makes me feel all warm inside.
