For everything, there is a perfect time and purpose. If you have always been a fan of audiobooks, feel free to enjoy the activity, but do not turn a blind eye to some situations and events where listening to audiobooks is inappropriate. Some practices have become commonplace so prepare to be shocked as you go over the following list of don'ts.

• Do not listen to audiobooks when you are supposed to study conventional reading. There is no substitute to conventional reading as a tool to developing reading comprehension and better writing skills. If you skip this stage and turn to audiobook listening as a shortcut, you will never reach the level of basic functional literacy, which is the ability to speak, read and write.

• Do not listen to audiobooks when you are driving. Surprisingly, a number of people do, but do not be one of them. Listening to an audiobook while on the road might distract you from your driving duties, and may even cause you to be less attentive of the honking and warning sounds of other tailgating and incoming vehicles. Unless your purpose is to fight drowsiness, save your audiobook listening session when you're a plain passenger.

• Don't listen to audiobooks when you're gracing a party. You're supposed to be socializing and making new friends, not sulking in one corner and spending time by yourself. Besides, some parties are way too loud and the noise will only distract you from your audiobook listening session. Pay your respect to the party host, and do what you've been originally invited to do: eat a little, drink a little, enjoy the music, dance if you can, mingle with the crowd and unleash the party animal in you.

• Don't listen to audiobooks when you're hearing mass or hearing a sermon. Doing so is not only offensive to the priest or pastor, but is equally distracting to the churchgoing community. Set a good example to the young churchgoers and save the activity when the mass or service is completely over. Listen to the priest or pastor, or spend a few minutes of silent prayer.

• Don't listen to audiobooks when you're attending your class. If you'd rather listen to the audiobook than your professor, you shouldn't be in school in the first place. Although listening to audiobooks has its academic advantages, the activity can hamper your tasks and progress in traditional classrooms. It causes you to lose valuable learning which your professor has imparted, distracts you from note taking, and speaks less of you as a good student. This uncaring and unattentive attitude might get you sent to the principal's office.

Knowing when and when not to listen to audiobooks is not hard to learn if you know how to fear for your safety and if you know how to respect the people around you. Deep down, you have the innate ability to tell whether an action is appropriate or not in a particular situation. Enjoy listening to audiobooks responsibly.