I’d say a quiet place to read books would be a very good top 3 item? Even having a personal library of books to read may make the list?
Russell
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Lol yeah, age defo plays a part in that... There's 'noise' though, and there's NOIZE, if you see what I mean...? When I was younger, would the noise of a rowdy party or the din of a very busy bar/nightclub bother me? Not in the slightest... Would it bother me now? Without a doubt, as I'm no longer in that 'zone' [therefore an age thing].
However, when I was younger, would the NOIZE of my parents (and/or brothers and sisters) constantly arguing or screaming, as Joe's just touched upon, bother me? Almost certainly. Would it bother me now, if I had to put up with such from my wife (and/or kids)? Absolutely! [Therefore, not an age thing].
Peace and quiet [living in an oasis of calmness and tranquility] at home is what I've largely always been used to, and so it sticks out like a VERY sore thumb, when I venture elsewhere where that's not the case, and my ears are subsequently assaulted by the din...! That's why the former is *so* precious to me, and I protect it as much as I can.
You even get some folk who, rather bizarrely, can't function in a quiet environment, and so need some form of 'noise/NOIZE' around them, in order to feel comfortable... Now, WTF is *THAT* all about?? :scratch:
Marco.
pattern noise is the worst. your brain just locks on to it, even if its not loud. like a beat of a video game soundtrack as its just a loop
Yeah, like constantly bleeping mobile phones [every time they receive some form of notification]... Can't stand it!:steam:
And yet you get folks who have their phones sat next to their beds at night, bleeping away, keeping them awake in the process. Then they moan next day because they're tired!!:doh::rolleyes:
Utter muppetry.
Marco.
I hardly ever sit in quiet at home. Even when I'm on my own I have background music or local radio on. However I love going out into the country or the local park and enjoying the peace and quiet of nature. Relatively speaking, of course - birds, wind, water can be "noisy" - but all very relaxing and calming. (Except when the seagulls kick off!)
It seems to me the man made noises are the worst offenders. Beeping, buzzing, ring tones, Jack hammers, typewriters, those sorts of things are maddening! But, I’ve been on the beach when the surf was deafening! You literally had to shout to be heard, but somehow that sound of the swells and crashing waves is therapeutic. I used to go to Nags Head, less than 4 hours from me, for a whole week, once a year, to a rented beach front house. And laying in bed at night you could still hear the ocean, and the house on stilts would sway in the wind, enough to tell. And it was most relaxing. After commercial construction work all year, it really cleared my mind and recharged my batteries.
But there are a few sounds that don’t bother me, like the sound of a Harley off in the distance. Rumbling thunder before a storm, or the sound of a babbling brook near by. That is truly a strange phenomena, camping near a creek, as you are about to doze off, the babbling water really does sound like human voices, like many people whispering, and your mind tries to pick one out, tries to catch a word, but of course you never do, it always seems to strike just as you are on the edge of sleep. And contrary to how it sounds, it is a most pleasant experience.
Russell
Growing up, I lived very near a railway line, and the sounds of the trains going to and fro would lull me to sleep. I also lived near a railway line when I was a student, and again in the first house I owned. I'm sure the noise would drive me crazy now, though, as my tolerance for noise pollutions gets lower and lower.
Again, I used to be able to work with noise in the background, and indeed preferred to have music playing when doing DIY, or studying. These days, I need silence to work in, otherwise I get distracted from what I'm doing.
I think the point about man-made noise is pertinent. When I’m in bed at night, I prefer the room pitch dark and completely silent, which is exactly what we get at home, being out in the sticks.
However, we do an annual winter spa trip to Portugal with friends in February/March. The hotel is right above the beach and I love to leave the balcony door open at night and fall asleep to the sound of the sea.
I can sleep through anything except a ticking clock. If there's a ticking clock in the room no way am I getting to sleep no matter how tired I am.