Mine is the volume of their voice. If all that they can do is just talk too loudly with no reason for it and don’t control the volume of their voice. That to me is a sign that you’re a stupid fuck. Because people think the louder they are, the more righteous and attention seeking they are. Than it is to just listen, digest and respond accordingly to anyone talking around you.
Just for the sake of argument, one good reason is actually something I dealt with for a while there: after having worked in a factory where hearing protection was absolutely mandatory for close to a year, for like two years after leaving that job I found myself shouting, even indoors, without even realizing it. It had just become second-nature.
My point is even if there doesn’t seem to be a reason, there might be.
Profession can absolutely affect volume. Even without any hearing damage, any job that regularly requires that you project can become a habit.
I’m a chemistry professor at a community college, fairly well educated, and I flatter myself to say reasonably intelligent, but I still slip into what my wife calls my “teaching voice” in some social settings or even occasionally at home.
Excellent example.
My mom had a hearing issue so I spent my young life being asked to speak up. Now I’m too loud, except for when i try to adjust it and then I’m to quiet. 🤷
Well SHIT.
I think you may just be fucked, friend. :(
Yeah… Oh well. Loud and stupid aren’t the worst things I’ve been called.
Loud and stupid are affectionate descriptors from my friends. I also struggle with volume after being too quiet for my early years and overcompensating in the later ones.
hug
Blue collar dudes yell into cellphones. Doesn’t matter how smart. They just do. It used to drive me nuts but I get it now.