Susan, my coworker wears those foam earplugs at work - enough sound gets through that if people approach him directly, he's not oblivious to it, but the random other people's conversations are easy to tune out. Might be worth a try.

they are cheap, that's one point in their favor. I use them 1. when I can't get away from Daniel's snoring; and B. taking clients to band practice, which is essentially a dozen developmentally disabled adults with drums, plenty of really loud music, and one very patient music instructor. Wearing them, the music doesn't give me the horrible headache that I would get, yet leaves me able to participate in conversation with other caregivers and the instructor, as well as attending to the needs of my clients. If you tried them and someone asked, you could say that there is something weird about the accustics of your new workspace that is making it hard for you to concentrate.

{{Stephanie}} sorry that accident is turning out to be such a PITA.

Ugh, Stephanie, I am so, so, sorry.

Tom has developed a snoring problem and I am using some foam earplugs. They're OK but still let sound in.

Ms. Loud Talker tells me one more time about how John used to do things when he was the ops manager, I might just snap...

Look at her, very wide-eyed, and say, "Oh, really?? How interesting!" and then just smile at her glassily (perhaps with a slight underlay of "fuck off and die") until she goes away. Works a treat.

I use foam earplugs at home when I'm sleeping. Helps cut down on the "drunk idiots outside my window" factor, but I can still hear the alarm clock.

Stephanie, I'm sorry. Car troubles suck.

I had lunch with my aunt today, who really is a great person, but she completely stressed me out about wedding plans. People really don't seem to get why I don't want to spend the equivalent of a downpayment on a house on a wedding.

OK, given that I had so many problems that I wasn't able to breastfeed long enough that figuring out how to do it in public ever became an issue...

Is it just me, or are these things a heck of a lot more conspicuous than just having a baby in front of your boob? [link]

And they look smothering. I know they're not, but they look that way.

For those asking, I'm tempted by that dress in black. Or maybe dark green.

Stephanie, sorry you're having such problems with your car. I hope the mechanic turns out to be as competent as they were eager and the car comes out OK.

I used to work in an open office where there were no restrictions on noise - so I'd be on the phone with a member, trying to listen, while there was a radio going, someone singing, and three conversations going on at top volume. argh

sj, stick by your ideas - maybe smile sweetly, tell people whatever they're telling you sounds like a lovely idea, and then go and do what you want. A drink or three beforehand might help.

People really don't seem to get why I don't want to spend the equivalent of a downpayment on a house on a wedding.

Well, if it means that much to them you should offer to let them pay for it.

I had lunch with my aunt today, who really is a great person, but she completely stressed me out about wedding plans. People really don't seem to get why I don't want to spend the equivalent of a downpayment on a house on a wedding.

Ugh, I'm sorry you got stressed out. I think Toddson is right- just be pleasant and sort of tune them out and do what feels right for you and TCG.

People really don't seem to get why I don't want to spend the equivalent of a downpayment on a house on a wedding.

Vague is your friend when discussing wedding plans with people whose advice you don't want.

Unfortunately, the wedding industry is set up with the assumption that you'll be spending a downpayment, so you'll be faced with a lot of people who won't believe it when you say, "No, I don't wanna."