I'd extend that courtesy as well in a perfect world. But when there's jet engnes coupled with inane conversations, children screaming, party people, and other chaos around me, I'd just as soon block that out.

In fact, on another flight, Spring break kids were getting very loud and obnoxious...I mean, like loud bar-type obnoxious. I put the phones on pre-flight to get some peace. The FA asked me to remove them during take-off so I could hear her. I politely explained (I had to kind of shout, so maybe it didn't seem as polite as intended) that I COULDN'T HEAR ANYTHING ANYWAY, gesturing to those around me, and she admitted that was true and left me alone.