AIBU?
AIBU to (mostly) hate music in shops, pubs and restaurants?
WendyMad · 26/12/2019 15:59
I started to write this before Christmas, then thought I'd wait till after Xmas to post it. Glad I did. I've just got home from an insanely crowded shopping mall, and the thing that turned it from mere bedlam into hell on earth was the thumping, screeching music they inflicted on us, so loud I couldn't even hear my phone. So I'm doubly motivated to post now.
AIBU to (mostly) hate music in shops, pubs and restaurants?
It's ok if it's relaxing music, or if it's just in the background. But often it hits you as you walk in the door, and seems designed to get you jangled. I like most types of music in the right context – but in a shop I need to think, and in a pub or restaurant I want to relax. So why would I want drums pounding into my head?
Sometimes I suspect most people dislike it, but no-one says so because we all think everyone else must like it.
What do you think?
Am I being unreasonable?
AIBUYou have one vote. All votes are anonymous.
recklessruby · 26/12/2019 16:16
Yanbu. I find i cant concentrate in shops with blaring music and always forget something important like toothpaste!
I was in JD sports Christmas eve and i swear they were playing bloody Jingle bells speeded up (added to the general panic so probably made people buy impulsively).
I couldn't wait to get out but I hate noise and heat anyway.
Sirzy · 26/12/2019 16:18
I like a bit of background music in a restaurant, nothing loud though. Because I have a thing about the noise of people eating so can’t eat in silence (even alone I annoy myself!)
Everywhere else I am with you and it’s even worse when two different musics clash somewhere so it’s a complete sensory overload!
VeryMerryChristmas · 26/12/2019 16:20
I don’t mind music you can talk over, but it’s just too loud in a lot of places.
We went to the pub for for an after dinner drink yesterday. Lovely, cosy place and there were the last few families enjoying their Christmas dinner. The Christmas music was deafening and we struggled to have a conversation. I would have had indigestion eating my lunch with the racket on the background.
bigbluebus · 26/12/2019 16:55
JD Sports is the worst shop I've ever set foot in for loud music! They opened a new store in the shopping centre in our local town. DH and I ventured in for a look (although quite frankly we should have known better as the music could be heard from outside in the mall). We won't be going in again.
Misscromwellrocks · 26/12/2019 20:46
YANBU. I particularly hate this in restaurants. A bit of background music is nice., but loud thumpy music you have to shout over is a complete turn off - as is the reluctance by some staff to turn it down when asked. I never return to a restaurant where I have to put up with this.
ThisIsMeOrIsIt · 26/12/2019 21:18
I absolutely hate this! I am hearing impaired and hearing aids amplify everything, not just speech. So trying to hear what the staff are saying, especially when they're fiddling about with the till and the items and a bag etc. and not even LOOKING at me so I can lip read to try and help me, is becoming more of a nightmare for me every year.
I vote with my feet if a shop has loud music and if it's a restaurant or cafe I have no problem telling them I'm hearing impaired and asking them to turn it down.
I understand shops want music so people feel they can talk without disturbing the silence, but it's quite easy to have it at a reasonable volume. Actually, I find pretty much all the shops I go in are just not Deaf-friendly or even Deaf-aware, really.
(Bit different, but I must throw in a mention of the Pret a Manger I used to frequent, who insisted on playing a CD regularly that had a version of 'Take Five' played in 4/4... 
)
Sweetpea55 · 26/12/2019 22:16
Having breakfast in the Copthorne in Newcastle turned into a sort of fast eating competition.
I like places were the breakfastime music eases you into the day.
This particular morning we were treated to Tina Turner 'Nutbush City Limits'
We subconsciously began to eat faster to keep up with the music
HoldMyLobster · 26/12/2019 22:30
I regularly leave shops because I can't concentrate enough to work out what to buy, and I'm finding the music overwhelming.
I'm in the US so they usually ask 'Did you find everything you needed?' and I usually tell them I did not, because the music was so loud I couldn't concentrate.
Maybe I should get earplugs.
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