While listening to a top 40 station in college, my roommate suddenly felt the urge to sing along with Madonna's "Cherish." Being conspicuously off-key didn't dissuade him. Silently, I ran down the ways I could react. I could have...
- ...left the room without explanation.
- ...started nodding my head slightly rhythmically, which might have made me look like a good sport despite my indifference to "Cherish."
- ...announced, "I'm not a great singer, either, but that's...pitchy."
- ...turned toward the wall, pretending that the textbook chapter I was reading was so thoroughly engrossing that I wouldn't even think to notice my roommate's grating vocals or consider smiling or chuckling in response to them.
