How comfortable are you with silence?

When you are alone, do you find that you turn towards silence or push it away? Are you more comfortable with background music or tv on, or do you welcome silence when it is available?

Many people (including myself) grew up with the tv on at all times. It became a soundtrack to our life. Some people I know seem to continue this trend or fill the silence with music whenever possible, while others seek and celebrate the silence.

A friend of mine once told me that silence makes her anxious. She grew up in a noisy neighborhood near the airport in a noisy family, so silence “just doesn’t feel right”, and she avoids it if possible.

So, what is your response to silence? And do you feel your upbringing had anything to do with it?