AirPods - The newly adapted American form of the Asian cultural use of the common surgical mask

Although it may not be obvious, the trend of having these bad boys in your ears throughout the day some would say is becoming a “I’m a millennial” or “I’m an early adopter” fashion statement of some sort.  However, I would argue there is more to this on a subconscious level as well.  What comes to mind is an easy comparison to the Asian cultural trend and ever growing use of the common surgical mask.   On the outside these surgical masks appear to be primarily for keeping ones germs to themselves during travel or maybe even filtering smog in the large polluted cities they live in.  Some people may feel thankful getting on a plane or being in a store when someone has a mask on thinking "wow they have good self awareness and are being generous to put that mask on to keep me safe if they are sick".  Or some ignorant Americans probably consider it rude from a presumed perspective that the person feels the need to protect themselves from American slob exposure. What many don’t know is that sometimes these folks are not really sick nor feel strongly about needing the mask to filter out the smog or allergies from the environment around them (most don’t even work that way anyway).  The masks actually provide a way to avoid human interaction along with the effort required during an interaction that does occur like facial expressions.  A way to enjoy a more peaceful solitary commute from point A to point B or to get some errands in without needing to talk to anyone or expel much energy toward an interaction. My take? I have to admit, nothing looks cooler than a black surgical mask as a fashion accessory.  Yes, I searched countless stores in Japan to find mine that I brought back home with me.  I feel like my social status is much higher knowing these are tough to find and are now tucked away somewhere in my attic for safe keeps...   Okay, in all seriousness, AirPods are not surgical masks.  But when you decide to have them in your ears for the majority of the day, people will actually avoid having any meaningful interactions with you.  That is unless they can’t see them and accidentally have a weird sign language dispute of sorry I have these weird, yet very cool small white things in my ear, can’t talk now. So before you go thinking you are a fashionista of sorts with those custom skinned AirPods of yours and getting all those people snappin’ their necks at you, be aware of the secondary effect it has on your image and approach-ability.  If that’s your goal to be liked and to join the infamously popular Dr Dre beats commuters who obviously want to avoid interaction, all the more power to you. If not, be woke with you!