Does my Volume Offend You?

It was Sunday afternoon and a cool 75 degrees. It was the kind of weather that makes you want to drive off into the sunset while listening to your favorite music on full blast. Although driving to a far off place wasn't an option, I opted to roll down my windows and blare a couple summer tunes from my VW Bug.

First I listened to new UGK, then decided to slow it down a bit with a little Justin Timberlake. The music was turned up loud and the bass made my car rumble, but the volume wasn't vibrating the ground. If anything, cars around me could somewhat hear what I was listening to, which is a good thing since I have amazing music taste.

However, on two separate occasions, the driver in the next lane looked at me in disgust for having my music on too loud. First it was a mom in a mini-van then it was a guy in his mid-twenties, but both had a face of contempt when passing me by.

What's with the hate? Don't we all loudly listen to our music? If not, why? Aren't Los Angeles afternoons meant for times like this?

Photo by bossco via Flickr