ok, so today two things happened

Scenario 1
I was in a shop and an elderly gentleman with a cane was trying to get to the cash register but there was one of those guided lines where you loop around, he didn't like the look of it and just started circumventing it before the cash register lady waved him back to the looping line..

he grumbled , i laughed and made a joke that this line (system) was for the more unruly customers, he joked back and said yes thats me

Scenario 2
A height challenged indian lady was trying to reach a family pack of custard creams on the top shelf and motioned to me and asked if I could reach for her, which of course I gladly did.


I don't think I would have had these exchanges if I had my passive and active noise cancelling head phones on.. and I would miss not participating in community life in such simple ways..

What are your thoughts on wearing these headphones in shops.. trains.. busses.. and human contact. Is it a bit rude?