<p>Why must my brain be constantly assaulted with loud 80s rock music? It’s bad enough at the gas station, but I’m only there for two minutes. I’m sick of restaurants — yes, upscale ones — that blast out Styx, Bon Jovi, etc. when I’m trying to have a conversation and enjoy a meal out.</p>
<p>Can’t people occasionally be left with their own thoughts? Must I scream at my dining companion? Ever hear of quiet jazz or classical?</p>
<p>Sigh…must…be…getting…old…</p>
<p>Agree 100%. Between the loud music and the multiple large screen tv’s (there are NOT only in sports bars!) what is the point in going out with someone only to be overstimulated and distracted!!!?</p>
<p>An upscale restaurant that blasts Styx.
Isn’t that some sort of oxymoron?</p>
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<p>You’d think so, musica.</p>
<p>We were out with another couple last week. Parking lot filled with Mercedes, BMWs, Acuras. Jackets and ties on the diners. Prices over the top. And Styx blasting out. When I asked the manager to either turn it down or change the music, her very apologetic response was “Oh I’m so sorry! The volume is set, and the playlist is purchased ---- but I’m sure a song you like will come on soon.”</p>
<p>Actually, I would have preferred catching up with the other couple, whom we hadn’t seen in many months.</p>
<p>This is in every restaurant now. It’s truly an aural assault.</p>
<p>I’m so with you on this one. I walked into an empty restaurant in the middle of the afternoon at an airport, looking for a snack before my flight. Bad 80s music was blasting. I asked the hostess if it could be turned down, or if I could be seated somewhere away from the speakers. She said the music was part of the “ambiance” and they couldn’t turn it down, then looked around in vain for a quiet table. No luck. She was kind enough to turn the volume down just a little.</p>
<p>I think we need to vote with our dollars, and let the management of these restaurants know that they’re driving away paying customers with their noise pollution.</p>
<p>Could you all please repeat everything you just said? All I heard was, “Come sail away, come sail away, come sail away with meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…”</p>
<p>My husband travels w/ work sometimes and he says when he goes to dinner in Italy, for instance, that the meal is quiet, thoughtful … drawn out. It’s as though you’ve rented the table for the evening. It’s quite noticeable when he’s back home and the blaring music and rushed service shows how much they want to move the diners in and out so the next group can come in. </p>
<p>zebes</p>
<p>^^^ha ha mantori!</p>
<p>I agree, can’t stand it when the music is so loud I can’t hear myself think. I refuse to go to those restaurants. I also can’t stand certain stores, Hollister in particular, that blast the music so load my ears ring. Ughhh!</p>
<p>I had to turn off the blaring radio while sitting alone in the waiting room of a sleep apnea clinic. I hate playlist volume at restaurants, some wedding DJ/s, on hold by telephone… I only hope the nurses’ aides won’t kill me with it in the nursing home some day.</p>
<p>If it’s a small cafe with few customers present, I can usually mention it to a server and they’re happy to change the radio station. They’re obliv. But if it’s programmed into the system of a large, busy restaurant, that’s swimming against the tide to try to change it on-scene.</p>
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<p>$hit, now I’m going to be singing that song the rest of the day. Thanks A LOT, mantori. ;)</p>
<p>By “thanks a lot,” surely you mean domo arigato, Mr. Roboto. :D</p>
<p>^^ Okay, now I’m serious. Leave my brain alone.</p>
<p>To change the subject just slightly: While it is upsetting to me to hear bad msuic ( and its usually bad) blaring while I eat out, what’s a bigger pet peeve for me is music playing while I shop. Seems I can’t go into a store these days–supermarket, clothing store, whatever-- that doesn’t feel that it has to play some music. And loud. Nobody beleives in quiet! Went into a Best Buy the other week and had to ask the manager to turn dwon some hip-hop with particulalry explicit lyrics. He looked at me with a “Whats the matter old man can’t you take it ?” look, but did apologize and switch the music. Even if its not that bad, like some Lite Rock music station, you’d think shoppers might like to actually talk to the salespeople or their families or friends they’re with w/o screaming and being bombarded by the latest popular music crap. (I’ve come to hate “California Girls” this year!) I just do a lot of shopping online now for this reason and choose carefully the places I eat out.</p>
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<p>To me this is just a matter of common decency, which is in depressingly short supply. The same goes for swearing in front of other people’s kids and not holding the door for old folks. And I’m not old; I was just raised to consider other people’s feelings occasionally. For future reference, I’m sure Best Buy’s main office would be interested to hear about the store manager’s choice of music.</p>
<p>I hate wedding receptions, etc. for this reason also. Too bad we can’t do them on-line…Relatives and friends come many miles for the occasion. It would be nice to talk to them and actually hear what they have to say.</p>
<p>2 items similar to the Op, but not exact.
When I was full-time dj, I often played mobile jobs in restaurants, country clubs, private halls. All too often I saw the oldest people choose seating nearest the dance floor. I am guessing they thought it would be the best seat to watch dancers without thinking it through to know it would also be nearest the speakers. Don’t sit on the speakers then complain it’s too loud!
And secondly, while doing dj work I was once commissioned to set a playlist for a regional chain of retail clothing stores. Knowing the intended target shopper was extremely important to my playlist. Generally speaking, music from the 80’s is the very best music to attract those now in their mid-40’s thru 50’s. The idea, generally, is someone 18 in '84 remembers that music well, and is often now of the age and buying power that some want to target.</p>
<p>Think of many modern day car commercials using Led Zep music in the background. It isn’t music from 1970 intended to appeal to those now 18. There is a rule of thumb that one’s favorite music at young adulthood often remains one’s favorite music, or at the least it maintains a favorable memory. Sadly this is often true with hairstyles, but that’s a whole 'nother subject.</p>
<p>Of course my 2 points in no way address the volume of music some have complained about in restaurants, or dirty lyrics in public. Mine are intended as a general comment from the entertainer’s perspective and my idea on certain styles of music intended to entertain/interest different crowds.</p>
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<p>Yes. Yes. The Gap I used to frequent about 10 years ago used to have a great playlist of late 70s/early 80s songs that triggered so many memories. A “good” song would come on - I’d linger awhile longer, reminisce, pick up another pair of jeans, maybe a hoodie, and then I’d make my way to the register.</p>
<p>Along with younghoss’ very on-target comments on the music in stores, there is a timing to the music in restaurants. My daughter used to work in a “quick/nice” restaurant. The music was loud and up-tempo. Nobody wanted to linger, however great the playlist was. The tables turned over quickly, increasing income. They came, they ate, the left in maybe 45 minutes. New group at the table. The owner corp. choose the music to suit their business plan, and the only way to change it is to change where you put your money. Asking the server to change the volume or selection of the music only works if it’s a local establishment <em>or</em> if you can convince the manager that your local market demands a shift in the corporate dictates.</p>
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<p>You beat me to it. I especially hate it when I am shopping with my teenagers for clothes (or when my adult daughter wants me to go shopping with her) and we go into these clothing stores that are geared towards young people. I feel like I’m listening to a cat being skinned alive in surround sound. What I find odd about the whole thing is that I still pay for my teen’s clothes. I am the one with the credit card. I, and others like me, keep the place in business. Is it too much to ask that while I am spending money that I not also develop a migraine?</p>
<p>I can’t go shopping with my young adult children because the music makes my brain overload. I have to wait outside. Maybe they do it on purpose so old ladies like me won’t kill their cool vibe. LOL</p>