Is this rude?

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Listening to my Ipod in one ear while talking to someone. One earpiece in my ear the other out (so I can hear if someone needs me or hear a phone ring etc.) IMO talking to you while listening to my Ipod is multitasking which I'd think would be a good thing. Maybe it's just my dad with this issue.

Depends whether you choose to adhere to certain social rules. I find that someone giving me only their divided attention when communicating is somewhat rude. I treat others as I would like to be treated myself and always take ear plugs out when I verbally communicate with people.

I would be annoyed when someone still wears his ear plugs when 'talking' to me. It gives me the feeling that person does not care about what I am saying.

I like to give people my undivided attention when they're talking to me.

Honestly, I think it might be a bit rude, depending on the situation. If you're out somewhere in public, and someone comes up to ask a question, it's probably not rude to leave one earbud in, and take one out, but you don't have to fold them up and put them in your pocket probably. BUT, if you're in someone's home or office, restaurant, or certainly in class or at work, I think earbuds belong in the pocket.

The issue isn't so much, whether or not you can hear and communicate with the other person while still having an earbud or listening to something; it's how it feels to the other person, who may not know whether or not they have your attention.

Charles

I find it rude. I pay complete attention to someone when they talk to me, and I expect the same.

If by "talking to" you mean having a conversation, then it is very rude. If you just mean answering a question like "have you seen the car keys" and are not expecting to continue talking, then it is ok.

Multi-tasking can be good (although more often at work than socially), but people generally can't truly listen to two things at once, so if you are listening to music you will be perceived to be not listening to the person talking. Looking at someone is generally considered an important part of conversation, so reading a book or something that takes your visual attention would also be considered rude.

I didn't ask this question, but thanks for the info!--I didn't know this was considered rude.

For me, it depends on the context of the conversation, as well as the person I'm talking to (which would just be. If it's on a serious or semi-serious matter, or if it's long-winded/constant, no iPod. However, if it's a choppy conversation with someone I'm familiar with (a few words every couple of minutes with my mom, for instance), I'll probably have my iPod in.
What's hard is it depends on--like I said--the context, so if it's rude in one situation it might be okay in another. Something most of us have trouble with.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I figured it was rude but didn't fully understand why.

I do that when my parents are lecturing and going on and on and on and on.