Do you play music in public? WHY?

[Grau]

Today me and DCs have gone to a local beauty spot by the river. It's really peaceful, usually a few people having picnics and kids paddling and that's it. Today a family has set up near us and is playing music very loudly. For me it really spoils the vibe of being outside with just the sound of the breeze and the water. I've noticed this on the beach too. The worst was someone setting up a big speaker on some rocks in a spot of absolute staggering beauty abroad where everyone else was talking quietly and snorkeling. I just don't get it. I'd genuinely like to hear from those who do this, some of you must be here. Do you think because you like the music, others will too? Do you think it sets a nice energy and that everyone else will be thankful/enjoy it? Do you just not care as long as you have what you want?

YABU - it's not a problem
YANBU - it's antisocial and/or selfish
(Edited by MNHQ at request of OP)

The only time we've ever done it is when me or DH were in hospital, on visiting we'd hobble outside somewhere inconspicuous away from others to sit and smoke a joint, have a beer and listen to some tunes on a tiny speaker, but only loud enough for us to hear. It was just a way of feeling relaxed when your ill and trapped in the ward, and you can't make noise up there.
I wouldn't do it loudly at a busy beauty spot!
If the music was good and the speaker not to tinny, it probably wouldn't bother me all that much though. If I was in the right mood!

When is there literally “no one around” in a beauty spot in England in the summer? Maybe 20 years ago not today.

Oh and if someone else is playing music and I like it then I'll sit near them rather than play my own as well.

Only time I ever play music out loud on my phone is when I walk the dog alone with nobody in sight for miles around. I don’t like to wear headphones in that situation just in case there’s anyone lurking as I won’t be able to hear them.

If there’s anyone I can see though, I won’t subject them to my music!

Absolutely this. I’ve been off work today - wanting to have a day doing my hobby in peace and quiet - and my utter bellend thick as mince neighbours have been out since ten this morning with music pumping so loud I can hear it in my house with all the windows closed, their four dogs barking constantly. It’s no use trying to talk to them - you can’t educate entitled haddock.

Went to the beach yesterday and three separate lots of people blaring out music. One was a parked up fancy camper van blasting out some kind of archers thing. They were the loudest by far.

Way to ruin it for everyone.

Still not as bad as the idiot woman who left her dog off the leash outside the toilets, which freaked and darted out under multiple moving cars, and off across the no dogs allowed beach. Took several people and a lifeguard to round it up and save it meeting an untimely end, and when the woman eventually appeared she couldn’t have care less.

Oh good point, must buy one - counter offensive move.

Yes tinny is the worse! No, 100% they’re not sitting near us because of the locations we pick. Once in a blue moon a dog walker will go past. That’s all we see and it’s heaven. For example, if I was in a public park or on a beach I wouldn’t play music.

@MereDintofPandiculation Well some of those are quite unlikely (!!), but I have very eclectic music tastes so wouldn't mind most of those. The only music I really really don't like is heavy metal but tbh usually the music is background level and so it doesn't matter too much what it is. I was at the beach yesterday and some people were playing music (I can't remember what it was) and there was also a concert going on on the beach which was very loud (although we were quite a way a way, we could hear it clearly in the distance. My husband and I quite liked it, had a festivally vibe.

A few days before we went for a walk along the beach and someone had a whole set up and were playing loud dance music. We enjoyed it, had a bit of a dance as we were walking past!! This sort of thing gives a place a bit of character imo.

Once I was at a train station quite late at night and we were waiting for train (obviously) that was delayed. DP asked to play some music and I said no as it was offensive. The lady near us asked us to play some reggae and she had a right little dance off. Sometimes I think it can be a source of joy but it's rare.

I've never done it but I've honestly never minded it either. Half the time it's music I enjoy, people are out having fun etc. Of I don't like it, I move further away.

Edit: I don't mind it in an open space like a park or a beach. People who do this in an enclosed space like a train or a hospital are complete and utter arseholes. And should be arrested.

My definition of beauty spot is probably quite low 😂

Ditto anybody who plays their music indoors or outdoors at a level that interferes with me listening to the test match while Ido the gardening..

I do mind it in a park if it means I can't use the park. And it's absolutely out of place in a natural space, like a beach or the countryside. But if by "beach" you mean a stretch of sand jam-packed with sun loungers - well. I still think it's anti-social, but that's not a space I'd find myself in anyway.

Im one of the people who doesnt really like silence/being left with my own thought's ... so mostly im headphones in when on my own in public (cycling/bus/walking/in the park)

not quite a rave but ...In my youth we played music outside beach/River in the evening when no one else's is around .... but that was a groups of teenagers underage drinking etc.. all living with patents so so didnt want to go back to someones house/be around adults

I will somtimes play music in the garden when the neighbours conversations/arguments get to loud ... I guess I more want them to know I'm outside too ( the other option is talking to myself)... but they don't seem to get any quieter so it's that or eaves drop on ...

Not music but I wish there was a volume switch for the man with a very loud voice at the weekend...I struggled to hear my own conversation when he was booming/laughing (think Brian blessed) ... couldn't hear the rest of the group but he thought they were very funny!

It’s not ok to say “oh, well, we do play music outside, but we’d turn it off if anyone else turned up or asked us to”. That’s basically admitting you’re happy to impose your choices on other people and prevent them from being in that space until they make you uncomfortable. Very selfish arsehole behaviour.

I really don't know where you're getting that from at all. In reality, turning music off when someone comes over means you're stopping what you're doing to allow someone else to be comfortable- that's being considerate in my book.

Because morons always have shit taste in music.

In a similar way that people don’t turn off their TVs when estate agents come round to take photos for their home to be listed for sale

I hate it. Would love to smash up their speakers. Hard disagree with whoever said it's ok at the beach but not other outdoor spaces. I want to hear the waves, not tinny, shitty music.

This. With bells on. Obviously quiet bells.

So you contribute to the problem.

😂😂😂

I play mine to drown out the sound of sanctimonious, loud parenting

It annoys me as it’s so selfish. Same as the person who lives in my street who blasts out music so loud every day. I am only passing with the dog but he’s in a block of flats, very inconsiderate. Good 80’s tunes though! Why can’t people put headphones in it alone or have the music on quietly. Or maybe just enjoy the quiet of nature, surely that’s a big part of the reason you go to those types of places.

LOL