Lake Voices

 

Use your indoor voice.  Most of us are familiar with that.  Almost all of us have an outside voice, but lately, I've discovered there is also a lake voice, over which, there apparently is no control.

A lake voice is a much-amplified sounding voice.  It can clearly be heard over great distances, and over the objections of annoyed neighbors.  Change day to night, and the lake voice becomes even louder.

A library voice is three decibels lower than an indoor voice, while an actor in a theater must exceed the level of the standard outside voice.  There's an actual formula used by directors, but I don't have it with me here.  It's a complex math thing, involving stage to back wall of the theatre distance, times the number of patrons, divided by an estimated number of anticipated sneezes, coughs, and candy wrapper crinkles.

The volume at which a deaf person speaks is regulated by the facial expressions of the listener.   A mother's volume has multiple variables, such as, number and age of children, at home or away, and the severity of the damage.

The cause for most concern can be detected in the calm, controlled voice of a parent, directed at a specific child.  “Wait until I get you home, Bobbie-John.”  Using both first and middle names reduces the need to increase the volume.

 

Side note:

Lake voices are never hostile, or threatening, no matter how many children.   Although alcohol is usually involved.