Interview with Max
Confessions of a pair of headphones
Article published on January 15, 2026
Max is a pair of headphones who doesn’t like to attract attention on public transit—or anywhere else for that matter.
While his owner loves listening to loud music, Max spends most of his time turning it down.
In this interview, Max shares his tips to help people listen to their music without disturbing their fellow passengers.
Introduce yourself and tell us what you’re playing in your owner’s ears today.
Hello! My name is Max. I’m a loyal and discreet companion. I like to calm my owner’s mind with high-quality sound and create an auditory barrier from the outside world. People often tell me I’m a good listener.
At the moment Julie by Les Colocs is playing full blast in my speakers. Thankfully, my owner is holding back from singing along because we’re on the train, on our way to Bonaventure Station.
Do you enjoy it when the entire train can hear your music?
Ugh. I hate disturbing other passengers. Sometimes I have to turn down the volume against my human’s wishes because I think it’s just too awkward to impose his musical choices on the entire train car.
Max’s travelling tip
Not all passengers share an unconditional love for Les Colocs. My advice: play your music loud enough for your owner to enjoy, but not so loud that the person next to you can hear it.
How do you feel when you realize your volume is disturbing others?
First of all, I’d like to point out that I always make sure my owner is seated on the first floor of the train and not the second; we want to avoid the exo’s quiet rest floor.
My owner also sets an example by waiting until we’ve boarded the train before placing me on his ears. It’s much safer that way.
To answer your question, I think it’s fine to be in your own bubble when you travel, but you should also respect the bubbles of other passengers, too.
If you could give your human one piece of advice to improve her behavior on public transit, what would it be?
I’d tell her to take a deep breath and think about others. Maybe even try to smile a bit more! Kindness attracts kindness, after all.
Etiquette is a shared effort
Simple, often spontaneous actions create a smoother, safer, and more pleasant environment.
What would you say to people who insist on playing music too loudly?
You’re not in your living room. We’re all sharing the same train car, not our music choices!
Another tip from Max
In addition to your music, your fellow passengers probably don’t want to hear about your friend Sophie’s trip to Sicily. I suggest speaking quietly and not using your phone on speaker mode.
Max reminds us that listening to music on public transit is fine, but respecting your fellow passengers is better.
A simple gesture, such as turning down your volume slightly, can make the journey more pleasant for everyone.
So, next time you board the train, consider the people around you: enjoy your music without making the whole train car your audience.
Discover other interviews with civic‑minded objects and the principles that guide exo in terms of civility across the network.
