When parents have control over the car music

The music system of the car becomes our best friend when we hop in for a journey. Latest music and the kick of the beats make a journey more exhilarating. But as soon as parents get control over the aux, you know it's going to be a ride accompanied by music we are not familiar with.

Most of the music is old, jazzy, romantic, with no beat at all. While some of us like old rock songs, teens and preteens want to hear new music 90 percent of the time. Even if we like some retro songs, our parents often don't seem to like the same songs.

Here are the most common reactions to parents' choice of music: 

One raised eyebrow and parted mouth

This is the first reaction we give when the music comes on suddenly. Some people have trouble raising one eyebrow, so they show their disapproval with grimace. The raised eyebrow reflects wonder and the parted mouth conveys confusion. In other words, this expression means "What is this I'm listening to?" 

Looking outside the window

Now what can be wrong with that? Everyone looks outside, even the ones who are enjoying themselves. But in this particular scenario, we look outside because we're so frustrated with the constant shrill in our ears. I might be exaggerating a little but you get the point.

Focusing on the phone even when there's no use of it

Let's get a little medical with this one. Dear teenagers, don't do this – even if it's the only distraction you can think of – from the boring songs. Look outside the window, with all the frustrations you have. The world is a very beautiful place to calm your nerves down. Your phone won't do that for you, if it doesn't have any use. You'll eventually get a headache. First reason is that the inside of your car is pretty dark, and your mobile screen is bright. So your eyes have a problem adjusting to that. Secondly, when the car moves, your eyesight is continuously moving away from the screen and it has to adjust itself repeatedly.

Cringe/rolling the eyes

Our parents have quite exquisite taste when it comes to romantic music. The lyrics are wonderful, regardless of the tunes. But these songs are from a time when our parents were learning about love. The fact that they could be dedicating the song to each other is kind of cute, generally speaking. We, however, can't help the cringe when we think of our parents like that. *cringe*

Simply falling asleep

This is the best way to ignore your reality. Falling asleep can either be too easy or too hard. It is too easy when you are clearly bored and the music is not at all stimulating. The soft melody can sometimes act like a lullaby. But it can also be hard for you to sleep when the constant annoying shrill just frustrates you to death. It's like your nagging friend talking continuously with her squeaky voice. You cannot close your eyes because that sound doesn't leave you. However, either way, it is the healthiest method of just letting the time pass while the journey continues.

We're not asking for the parents to give up the entire sound system and be in our position. We're not even asking them to like our type of music. All we are asking is to take our choices of music into account. Share the sound system with us. Take turns of whose favourite song should be played next. Save us from being miserable throughout the car ride.

The writer is a Grade 9 student at South Breeze School.