Whistle while you work

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Scoville
Date: 14 Jul 06 - 09:40 AM

All the time, unless I'll really embarrass myself by doing so.

I play music on my computer at the office (and sing along if my coworker is out to lunch).

I worked in the dining hall kitchen in college. My favorite job was unloading the dish machine because the machine was so loud I could sing all I wanted an nobody could hear me.

(I'm a really lousy singer. I try to be polite and not sing out loud when other people are around because it's really not a good thing.)

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: harpmolly
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 11:53 AM

I'm one of those people who really just wants to be singing ALL THE TIME. ;) I sing along with my iPod as I walk to work (with varying degrees of volume depending on foot traffic *grin*). When I'm at my desk doing paperwork I'll often hum softly if there's no one else in the office (though one of my co-workers likes to hum too). When there is a song I know playing on the overhead, I'll often harmonize softly.

However, being lucky enough to work in a fabulous music store, my musical cravings are mostly satisfied by demonstrating instruments for customers. And if I'm asked to demo the harp, I'll often sneak in a song under the pretext of "demonstrating accompanying techniques". Shameless, shameless...but I just love to sing!

(Oddly enough, my middle name is "Kaleo", which is Hawaiian for "the voice".)

Molly

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Mo the caller
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 08:40 AM

Strange you should ask that.
Yesterday I was on top of a very tall stepladder trying to reach the few cherries the birds had left me.And a tune running through my head.
'This tree is high and I cannot reach,
And neither have I wings to fly....

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: kendall
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 07:27 AM

I remember the Whistler and his dog. When I was a teen ager there was a radio program that used this as theme music. I remember my grandmother washing dishes and dancing to it.

I never whistle or sing, or even hum in public because it bugs me to hear others doing it. No matter what I'm doing I can not concentrate on it when there is any kind of music happening. My mind goes straight to the music and it ruins my concentration.

I had an office in the Federal building here and the Navy recruiter down the hall always whistled one line of a tune over and over. Damn near drove me batty. I finally got another office three floors away.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: David C. Carter
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 06:46 AM

I used to whistle while out walking.
But I kept getting home with other peoples dogs following me!

Woof

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Alba
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 06:30 AM

Dave......deary me... NO! Perhaps best not to mention "that certain Play" either~ *grin*
Best Wishes
Jude

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: MikkinNotts
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 05:50 AM

I am in an office environment so whistle & hum very quietly. I always have the lyrics of a song that I am learning on my desk so am always singing through them in my head. At the moment it's Richard Thompsons Beeswing & Squeezebox by The Who.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: GUEST,Jos Kampes
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 05:38 AM

I have a very bad day if i forget to bring my MP3 player to work, on the bicycle and in the bus. Usuaually on the bike I sing along, loudly, and whistle. In the bus i do try to behave but occasionally sing or hum, and tap my foot along as well. At work i often start to sing or whistle as well, but it is always to the accompaniment of music playing.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Dave Earl
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 05:17 AM

I work in a Theatre / Concert Hall.

Should I whistle at all?

Dave

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 04:23 AM

Peace, aaarrgghhh! I am humming "Sitting at the dock..." and whistling too now! See what you've done!

I heard about the "bad luck" connotations with whistling too, Betsy, in Mediterranean countries. In some places they say you shouldn't whistle when walking past a cemetery. Don't know the origins though.

Liz, if you have Handel or Vivaldi at work to hum along with, you work in a higher class environment than most! Perhaps I should visit you and we can set up harmonies to annoy the little shit even more.

I love to hear people's impromptu humming. My wife and my daughter often hum at home as they're doing things, and it always cheers me up - it means they are in a good mood, I suppose.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 03:37 AM

Now I hum along with Vivaldi or Handel while doing taxes.

Now ain't that funny... I'm presently (or will be as soon as I get this ass dressed and off to work) humming along to Mozart as I log and capture tax returns!

I regularly get yelled at by one "colleague" for singing along at work. Most of the time I'm not aware I'm doing it. What the hell... I've started doing it deliberately now to annoy the arrogant little shit!

I don't whistle particularly well since I had a front tooth crowned... but I never could whistle between my fingers before I had it, so it's swings and roundabouts.

LTS

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Betsy
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 03:25 AM

I've worked in a load of different countries , I love whistling , ( I hope it is quiet and melodic )and in Brazil I was asked not to do it in the office and in the lifts (elevators), whistling is associated with some bad / or something bad about to happen. They NEVER do it although they DO use whistles in a completely different manner to what we're discussing..
I'm in Norway at the moment - they just think I'm a normal, strange Brit.

Cheers

Betsy.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Peace
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 01:11 AM

Hey, George,

Down by the bay (down by the bay)
Where the watermelon grows (where the watermelon grows)

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 13 Jul 06 - 01:02 AM

I mostly hum quietly, occasionally whistle. It can be anything, from the latest earworm that I am looking for lyrics to, to something I heard on the radio or at the folk club. I am also prone to the "once started, will sing the same song all day" syndrome.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 11:46 PM

I hum or sing quietly at work. Usually out of earshot of anyone else. I've come up with quite a few song arrangements for the band while sweeping floors. I'm not in an office situation where I would be annoying any other people.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Dave Swan
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 11:33 PM

Does anybody remember The Whistler and His Dog? It's a little ear worm, but pleasant.

D

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Peace
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 11:15 PM

Wht the heck that post is here is beyond me. Sorry.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Peace
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 11:15 PM

I always go to the polls. I do on occasion vote. At other times when I feel "it's six of one . . ." I tend to write someting on the ballot and then put the ballot into the box.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Peace
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 11:12 PM

Picture of a famous Whistler.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 10:37 PM

I try out the "custom made" whistling songs. "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay", "Daydream" by Lovin' Spoonful and of course the Hogan's Heroes theme.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Ron Davies
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 10:31 PM

It's not a great idea to whistle or sing at work in the office--except after hours. When I work late and everybody else is gone, I whistle and sing most of the time-whatever comes into my head.

And I do sing (and have also whistled--(theme from The Good the Bad and the Ugly and She's Only A Bird in a Gilded Cage--the ones I used to whistle to the parrot that used to be in my house)--- in the stairwell going up to lunch--great acoustics--I can't imagine taking the elevator instead.

When I leave at the end of the day I sing Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie (Joe Hickerson's version)--since its 9 1/2 verses get me just about exactly into the subway.

And I do sing walking from home to and from the subway--it's 4 long songs or 5 short songs to the subway. I sing according to the weather. Good weather-- C & W. Misty and rainy--Irish. Real blustery--sea songs. Unless there's a particular song I really want to learn--then I sing that all the way.

I also try to whistle to imitate birds I hear along the way--mostly cardinals--they're easy to mimic.

Used to sing Gibert and Sullivan and musicals--My Fair Lady--(especially the aggressive ones--e.g. "Just You Wait, 'enry 'iggins)--, Camelot, Music Man while mowing lawns--eons ago when I had a lawn-mowing job. Now I hum along with Vivaldi or Handel while doing taxes.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: number 6
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 10:31 PM

"The problem with most whistlers is, they can't seem to stay on key, and that drives me batty."

Now that you mention it ... I do whistle Thelonius Monk's "Misterioso" at work in the morning.

sIx

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: jimmyt
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 10:28 PM

I sing or whistle almost all day long while I am at work and on the rare occasion when I don't, my patients normally remind me by saying, " what is wrong? you are not singing?" SO I just go on and sing, or whistle! It is a wonderful life that we can enjoy music.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Alba
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 09:50 PM

Note to Myself: Do NOT attempt to do Roger Whittaker's "Mexican Whistler" when Ken Doll is in my Company! :>o

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: kendall
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 09:38 PM

The problem with most whistlers is, they can't seem to stay on key, and that drives me batty.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: kendall
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 09:37 PM

We used to have a saying in the service. "Only queers and Bos'ns Mates whistle."
Traditionally, the only one who is allowed to whistle is the Captain. The Bos'ns pipe is not really a whistle.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: mack/misophist
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 08:03 PM

You've heard of people who can't walk and chew gum at the same time? That's me and whistling. can't whistle and pay attention at the same time. Sing? No problem, once you agree to call it singing.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Kaleea
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 06:19 PM

The only whistling I can do is with a Feadog. I sing & hum most of the rest of the time. The kitty ignores me.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 06:12 PM

Ah The Joys Of The Tin Wistle ! I get paid to whistle while I work !

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Alba
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 05:50 PM

Occasionally I will whistle but I mostly sing whatever happens to be the Song stuck in my Head that week...a lot!
I know what you mean Kitty Good to see you by the way... smile,
I too have been known to abandon the task at hand and whip the Guitar or the Mandolin out after singing a particular Song or a line that may work in one I am working on and.....oh well...work becomes a lost cause!
I used to play Music in the background as I worked but these days I save the pleasure of listening to Music when it can have my full attention.
By the way I am a pretty bad Whistler anyway, just ask the any of the Animals that share my space!;)
Jude

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: rock chick
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 05:34 PM

I try to whistle but I can't do it very well so it's best I keep quite, I just sing songs that best suit my mood or what I am doing at the time.

rc

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 05:05 PM

I'm really not keen on doing household chores. If I start singing while I do them, I just stop doing the chores and concentrate on the singing .....

Used to sing Little Musgrave while waiting for the bus to the folk club....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 05:01 PM

I whistle, but not all that often. Mostly I sing in my head, I guess. I wonder how many songs go through my brain in a day. I used to have the stereo going most of the time, but now I don't need to.
With rings on my fingers and bells on my toes, I shall have music wherever I goes....
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: number 6
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 04:44 PM

I find myself whistling "We'll Meet Again" when I'm out constructing my backyard bomb shelter.

sIx

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 04:38 PM

I used to whistle at work, when I was an commercial Trainee.
I was woking in the Budget department with about 40 people in.
I was whistling and enjoying my work, when this old miserable boss looked at me and becloned me into his office.
He just said "You are annoying me with your whistling. I don't want to hear it again."
He didn't and I stopped whistling from then on.
I could have been a top line whistler if it hadn't been for that git.

Subject: RE: Whistle while you work
From: Peace
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 04:36 PM

I find myself whistling the theme to The Bridge on the River Kwai when I'm putting on my bunker gear in preparation for a call. I don't know why. In fact, I didn't realize I was doing it until it was pointed out to me. I guess it makes me gear-up to a rhythm. Soon as I kick off my street shoes, I put left then right foot into the boots. Pull up pants and get suspenders over shoulders. Close front and get clasp in eye hook. Belaclava on then jacket. Four eye hooks then close velcro front. Grab lid and get to equipment floor. Elapsed time to dress about 30 seconds. I find I am always dressed after one stanza of the theme. I think the rhythm keeps me focussed on what I'm doing and the tempo is just right for getting dressed to. I don't especially like that theme music, but since I don't listen to it while I'm whistling it, it doesn't bother me. I do it very softly--almost under my breath. Probably more than anyone wants to know, but there ya go.

Subject: Whistle while you work
From: kendall
Date: 12 Jul 06 - 04:24 PM

Been wondering how many of us hum, sing or whistle while we are doing chores or other work. For instance, everytime I mow my lawn, about 3/4 of an acre, it seems like it wants to rain, and I always think of Stan Rogers singing,..ease the throttle out a hair, every rod's a gain, there's victory in every quarter mile. My lawn tractor is slow and a bit old so it can't be rushed no matter what. Kinda like me.