Quote Originally Posted by Jim Clark
Facing the quizzing I fessed up to the following:

do you like Tom Petty?
-no

Journey?
-no
Really? Everyone likes Journey.
-guess not everyone.

John Cougar Mellonhead?
-no

Elton John?
-no

Neil Diamond?
Not really

You get the picture. So then it came down to who do you like. Blank stares all the way around. I found it really funny that not one person had even heard of the Clash or the Ramones. I can see not knowing Lali Puna. Until a month or so ago I hadn't either but the Clash? Come on.
This is funny. I try to avoid these conversations like the plague unless it's someone I think might have a clue who The Smiths or Joy Division (for example) are. Plus, some people immediately think you're an elitist because you don't like Styx (or Journey like your situation). I try to switch the conversation to sports or something.

But if people I don't know ask what I listen to, I just spout off a bunch of genres/sub-genres, which typically prompts the question, "What bands do you like, though?" To which I'll respond something like "Oh lately it's been The Shins, Built to Spill, Silver Jews, and Notwist." That's usually the end of the conversation unless they're daring and they'll ask "Anyone I've heard of?" Sometimes just to screw with people (if it's someone who looks annoyed at the answer and I don't care about it) I'll answer "Septic Death? Dayglo Abortions? Stockholm Monsters?" But usually I'm polite and try to come up with something like the Clash or Johnny Cash, which I assume (like you) most people our age have heard of.