It's my perogative

Last year when my iPod stopped working, I took it to the Apple Store back home to see if they could fix it. The nice man at the store began looking through my iPod to see exactly what was plaguing my little electronic friend. \nAs he scrolled, he stumbled upon my music and began to chuckle. I asked him what was funny and he replied with, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you have N'Sync and Britney Spears on your iPod."\nI quickly responded with, "Ha, OK. Did you figure out what is wrong with it?"\nNeedless to say, this man was unable to fix my iPod. I should have figured that out when he started insulting my taste in music. But I am all too familiar with people like the Apple man -- or as I call them -- music snobs.\nEveryone has a friend like this. The minute they get in your car or start scanning your iTunes they criticize your music. "You like Nickelback!?!" They shame you for your musical taste. You automatically feel bad about liking that song you were jamming out to 15 minutes ago. \nGrowing up, I listened to whatever my dad played in the car or around the house. This music mostly consisted of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors and America. I still like The Beatles, America and The Doors, but I could do without the Stones. That doesn't mean I don't realize their musical merits.\nI am not ashamed of the music I listen to. In fact, I pride myself on enjoying diverse genres of music. Music is supposed to invoke some sort of emotion inside of you. And if the Spice Girls put me in a good mood, what's it matter to the "music snobs?"\nIt's not a matter of me having bad musical taste, it's a matter of me having different musical taste. Nothing is more annoying than coming into contact with a "music snob" and them telling you that you know nothing about "good" music. But what makes them the ultimate decider of what "good" music is? Is it because they like Jimi Hendrix or Bob Dylan?\nThe category of "music snobs" isn't completely devoted to those who love classic rock or indie music. There are plenty of music fans that listen to only the "Top 40" popular songs and look down upon those who enjoy Joni Mitchell or Simon & Garfunkel. Being a "music snob" isn't about what type of music you listen to, it's about having a closed mind about other genres. \nAnd I am certainly not arguing that Christina Aguilera or Gretchen Wilson are the most musically talented or award-deserving artists, but is that all music is about? I realize some of the music I listen to is questionable, but who is it hurting?\nIt pertains to an age-old question -- how boring would life be if we were all the same? If I liked all the music my brother and best friend liked, where would diversity play in? I don't expect my brother to jump for joy when I make him listen to Rascal Flatts, but I do expect him to respect my right to listen to it, especially in my car. After all, he used to make me listen to Creed. \nIt's not fair to shame people's musical taste just because its different from yours. And after all, someone might scroll through your iPod one day and laugh that you listen to (insert favorite band/group here).