# Why are many white people sensitive to noises? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 1, 2006, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915 "2006-08-01T18:01:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dre2xl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@dre2xl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dre2xl)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/21 "2006-08-02T13:41:06Z")
Well, my neighbor hates the noise I make, even to the point that he will bang on the ceiling as a helpful reminder to stop making noise… _while I’m sleeping_. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/22 "2006-08-02T13:57:09Z")
Not to come across as racist, but my theory is that blacks are generally less sensitive to noise for a number of reasons - constantly listening to rap music too loud in their wheely-jumpy cars, smoking too much Chronic, and of course drinking too many 40s. White people are more sensitive to loud noises because they had to be ever vigilent for slaves trying to escape or for black folks who are getting too successful. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/23 "2006-08-02T14:08:02Z")
Don’t know about being more/less sensitive to noise. But, slightly off-topic, I often come across people singing/humming in public places (elevators, etc.) - and it’s invariable a black person. We’re talking 100 out of a 100 so far. I don’t ever recall running into this when I was in small-town lily-white Minnesota. Is this a white/black thing? Cause it is definitely annoying to me - if I wanted to hear music I’d have my iPod and headphones. And if I wanted to hear bad singing I’d stay in the shower. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/24 "2006-08-02T14:12:12Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > White people are more sensitive to loud noises because they had to be ever vigilent for slaves trying to escape or for black folks who are getting too successful. Also we need to listen for whenever the iron needs more water while we’re ironing out our Klan robes, which require a good deal of frequent maintentance. ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/25 "2006-08-02T14:26:24Z")
No, no you all have it wrong. The reason why blacks sit across from each other and shout is, since they’re missing that extra bone in their ears, they’re a little bit deaf and are really lip reading; only they don’t want **The Man** (patent-pending ), also known as Mr. Charley to know about it, so they use the “I’m really obnoxious and am going to make everyone hear my conversation” as a cover. It’s Brilliant…brilliant I say. Hey, if I have a black parent and a white one, does that mean my hearing is twice as good as black person, but only 1/2 has good as a white person? Hey, if I’m humming does that mean, I only hum half the sounds or sing half the words…Hey, do I whistle…? Do black people whistle more, or louder or to 2/3 beats, than white people do? Since music is sometime considered part of the soul, does that mean that people in lilly-white Minnesota have no souls, since they don’t hum or sing in public places? Maybe they can’t like you know vampires can’t enter a room unless invited. Are they part of the undead…wow. I don’t want to seem bigoted or anything, but you ever notice how most of the undead are white? ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/26 "2006-08-02T15:08:08Z")
Hypothesis: Black people traditionally have more stress in their lives and may feel a need to assert themselves in more basic and immediate ways than (say) Whites or Asians. ---
**Author:** ![Ensign\_Edison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@Ensign\_Edison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ensign_Edison)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/27 "2006-08-02T15:11:46Z")
> [@Beware of Doug](#): > > Hypothesis: Black people traditionally have more stress in their lives and may feel a need to assert themselves in more basic and immediate ways than (say) Whites or Asians. I have a simpler hypothesis: confirmation bias. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/28 "2006-08-02T15:13:13Z")
Yeah, there’s that. ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/29 "2006-08-02T15:14:59Z")
> [@Beware of Doug](#): > > Hypothesis: Black people traditionally have more stress in their lives and may feel a need to assert themselves in more basic and immediate ways than (say) Whites or Asians. Yeah, a lack of self control, based on race…got you. Great Hypothesis. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/30 "2006-08-02T15:25:08Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > Don’t know about being more/less sensitive to noise. But, slightly off-topic, I often come across people singing/humming in public places (elevators, etc.) - and it’s invariable a black person. We’re talking 100 out of a 100 so far. I don’t ever recall running into this when I was in small-town lily-white Minnesota. Is this a white/black thing? Cause it is definitely annoying to me - if I wanted to hear music I’d have my iPod and headphones. And if I wanted to hear bad singing I’d stay in the shower. I hum/sing to myself all the time, and I’m white. It’s not a conscious thing, and I certainly don’t mean to be annoying. I just can’t help it. I got the music in me! ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/31 "2006-08-02T15:28:11Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > My husband makes fun of me, but I hate all noise (except the stereo cranked up to listen to MY tunes, and that happens about once a year around here). I hate: lawnmowers, weed wackers, bush trimmers, chainsaws, motorcycles, ATVs, loud boom boxes (never noticed which color the folks are that blare them–just hate 'em), loud car engines, radios, car sound systems, trucks, jackhammers, repair trucks, sirens,snowblowers, snowplows, garbage trucks- do you want me to go on? You forgot snowmobiles. Oh, and jet skis, the bane of my existence (when I’m fishing.) I think tolerance to sound may have something to do with how you were raised (big, loud, boisterous family or small, quiet one) and what type of environment you spend a lot of time in. In other words, if you’re used to being in a noisy environment, sounds don’t bother you as much. If you’re used to being in quiet places (like I am), little noises can really grate on you. I don’t think it really has anything to do with race. ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/32 "2006-08-02T15:29:25Z")
Perhaps you should look closer at your family tree, **DragonAsh** is running 100%, so one of you is clearly wrong. I suggest you have more than just the music in you. Not that, that’s a bad thing. Do you find yourself sitting across from others like yourself and shouting at them? ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/33 "2006-08-02T15:32:41Z")
Black people are on the bottom of Maslow’s triangle and more concerned with food, water, and shelter. When you’re homeless and hungry, noise is the least of your worries. Plus, they’ve grown to be partially deaf because of all the gun shot blasts that go on in the ghetto. Whites are more self-actualized. Loud noises make it difficult for them to commune with the Higher Conscience. They prefer silence because it is easier to think Zen-like thoughts when it is quiet. Plus, they worship the devil and are therefore magical. I thought everyone knew this already. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/34 "2006-08-02T15:32:48Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Are you me? > I’ve never noticed a correlation between race and noiseiness/noise aversion. I’ve often noticed a correlation with _age_, though. No, I’m me. \ Wait! I’m not me–I’m, I’m…! 😉 Yep, I’d be happiest in a masoleum (alive, though). I think it is also a function of age. And the mall on a Saturday noc is not a place I ever want to be. Too loud, people too rude and obnoxious. I also love the sound so little kids laughing, but hate the sound of little girls screeching. If they could harness that noise and use is as a weapon, we wouldn’t need nukes. Just sayin’. And IMO, it’s trashy people who talk so loud on the commuter train or subway or wherever–I’ve seen all races, ages and genders do it. Last bit–I work occasionally with this one male nurse who hums, “deedeedee” all effing day. He’s white (and wears a toupee–I think that’s pertinent somehow). By the end of 12 hours of deedeedee, I am homicidal. Other nurses have begged him to switch it out to mmmmm at least some of the time, but noooooo… ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/35 "2006-08-02T15:36:19Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > You forgot snowmobiles. Oh, and jet skis, the bane of my existence (when I’m fishing.) > > I think tolerance to sound may have something to do with how you were raised (big, loud, boisterous family or small, quiet one) and what type of environment you spend a lot of time in. In other words, if you’re used to being in a noisy environment, sounds don’t bother you as much. If you’re used to being in quiet places (like I am), little noises can really grate on you. I don’t think it really has anything to do with race. But that theory falls down when you learn that I am the last of 5 kids, we were a loud (in the house) family–especially when we got together with our 4 cousins in MA–we could bring the rafters down. BUT-we were taught how to act in public. And I hate snowmobiles and motorboats, too. The list is long and by nature, incomplete. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/36 "2006-08-02T15:38:20Z")
> [@holmes](#): > > Perhaps you should look closer at your family tree, **DragonAsh** is running 100%, so one of you is clearly wrong. > > I suggest you have more than just the music in you. Not that, that’s a bad thing. > > Do you find yourself sitting across from others like yourself and shouting at them? My goodness, now that you should mention it, I also have curly hair, serious back, and I’ve been known to be sassy! :dubious: 😛 Not so much with the shouting though. **eleanorigby** , you’re a better person than me. Even the laughing bugs me. Of course, the kids around my place are usually laughing about making the girls screech. **yellowval** , you forgot mopeds. Fucking mopeds. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/37 "2006-08-02T15:40:01Z")
> [@holmes](#): > > Yeah, a lack of self control, based on race…got you. Nope, just differing styles of communication and interaction. Not universal ones either. Nothing to do with “self control” or “race.” ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/38 "2006-08-02T15:45:01Z")
> [@you with the face](#): > > … Plus, they worship the devil and are therefore magical. …and they smell like Lemon Pledge. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/39 "2006-08-02T15:56:41Z")
I prefer the sound of nails on a chalkboard to that of children’s laughter. I’m a honkey. ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915/40 "2006-08-02T16:05:41Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > My goodness, now that you should mention it, I also have curly hair, serious back, and I’ve been known to be sassy! > > Not so much with the shouting though. Well of _course_ you can’t hear yourself shouting, your hearing isn’t as sensitive! C’mon pay atttention, are you under too much stress? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-many-white-people-sensitive-to-noises/366915.md?page=3)