DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am annoyed when people board a public bus and begin to whistle. When asked to stop because it hurts my ears, they usually become even more rude and say I am just old and crabby and making this up.
This kind of shrill noise seems to bother me more than it ever used to when I was younger, and I think it has something to do with ringing in the ears (tinnitis), which I also get sometimes. I wonder if it has anything to do with diminishing connective tissue (bone to bone because padding is diminishing?).
GENTLE READER: Not being a doctor, Miss Manners cannot comment on your connective tissue. She can comment on your attempts to ride the bus in peace.
Medical excuses invite medical arguments. It would be far better to smile sweetly and ask your seatmate, as a kindness, if he would mind terribly not whistling.