Get rid of music in book stores

H

Happy Retiree

Member
Location
Canada
I hate music in all stores, but especially in book stores. Yup, just what I want some rap or pop music while browsing through the book shelves. Now if it was classical, some Vivaldi or something similar I could live with it. But actually I just want silence like in a library. What do you all prefer?
 

I think I can agree. They always play music at PAWS thrift store, usually something I don't like and the Goodwill plays the worst. I was just at Barnes and Noble yesterday to get the next book in a cozy mystery series and I can't remember if they had music on.

We have this guy at work who plays music and I can't stand it. Other's don't like it either. He actually got suspended for a few days and I thought that might end the music. It didn't. I don't need that hitting my brain when I'm trying to concentrate and I have A LOT on my mind. He's friends with the newer boss and followed him over when he started where I work so I can't say anything.
 
I got driven right out of a Michael's one time at Christmas. They were playing the most nerve-jangling loud Christmas music.....rap and heavy jazz and "jittery" music. I complained to one of the clerks and she said it was driving her crazy but corporate chose the music. The store was full of middle-aged and elderly ladies and I'm pretty sure the majority of them didn't care for it, either.

I went after that to Hobby Lobby and they were playing the nicest, soft instrumental Christmas music. I could have just plopped myself down on some pillows and listened for an hour. I know I was in there for at least an hour.

I don't understand why stores don't consider their demographics and adjust the music accordingly. During the week, you're going to have retired people. Save the head-banging music for the weekend.

And don't get me started on the music they play in some restaurants.
 

It doesn't matter where you go, piped in music is everywhere. In stores and when you're holding on the phone. It's loud, distracting, and very annoying. Complaining about it does no good. You can't get away from it... unless you're shopping online. :rolleyes:
 
My sister's grandson was diagnosed with Autism when he was 3 years old. Every time his Mother took him into a shop with loud music
and flashing lights he would go beserk. They thought they would get it checked out and that is when they discovered the Autism. Luckily
he had early intervention and now he is 19 and has done very well with school. He even topped his class in English and is hoping to get accepted into University.
 
I especially hate loud music in a restaurant. People that dine early don’t tend to be there to party. Please save the loud music until after 7.

When requesting that the volume be turned down in a nearly empty restaurant and they refused, I talked with my wallet the next time. We never went there again. About a year later they closed.
 
Recently went to a skin clinic to have a skin cancer removed and in the reception/waiting room, they had their radio on some FM station playing some awful music. I said to the young receptionist will you choose another station/turn it off or find a station more relaxing. SURELY YOU MUST BE AWARE that most of us here are apprehensive and nervous enough as it is. And she did!
 
There is not a day goes by that I don't shout at the TV, every channel, every play, every documentary, every film, they all have so called background music, but it's so loud, the dialogue can't be heard, and trying to read any text on the screen is next to impossible.
OK, I know I'm a moaning old sod, so I'll just head back into my cave and play with the dinasaur. 😊
 
I don’t like being subjected to rap music when I’m in a restaurant trying to eat a meal in peace. Then there are the cars passing by my house with their stereos cranked up so loudly that they drown out the sound of my TV, even with the house windows closed! Some “music” could be considered an environmental assault weapon…
 
Happy Retiree said:
I hate music in all stores, but especially in book stores. Yup, just what I want some rap or pop music while browsing through the book shelves. Now if it was classical, some Vivaldi or something similar I could live with it. But actually I just want silence like in a library. What do you all prefer?
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Oh my goodness I agree so much. I hate the music and noise everywhere. In bookshops I crave silence.
I also really would like silence as in old times in the library but often find loud lively toddler and baby group singalongs going in. I know I am a grumpy old thing but I prefer quiet. I need to think about books to choose and I feel the library ought to be an oasis of peace, a sanctuary from the noisiness of this life.
In clothes shops and such I cannot tolerate the mindless rubbish thumping out.
 
Oh by the way, in one marvellous bookstore I find the peace shattered by the voices outside of the Big Issue sellers and market stall sellers. One woman has a wailing cry of 'beeg eeshue' that she keeps up all day long, it is pure torture. I feel guilty for being resentful.
 
Music is supposed to add to a store's "ambience" to increase sales. Most stores have a $5 speaker/amp system, at full volume, and somebody's favorite selections of music. The 'music' is distorted, too obtrusive, and irritating. When adding music is well done, few are aware of it, and it does increase sales.
 
I have a theory; only the rich will be able to afford quiet places. The rest of the peasants will have to listen loud screaming rap or heavy metal or tasteless elevator music whether they like it or not. I personally hope all these businesses go "belly up" and the owners end up sleeping under some bridge doing illegal drugs and drinking cheap wine or even better, shoe polish.

I enjoy shopping at home and supporting Amazon. I received 1 nice order today and will receive another order on Monday. Our local credit union has started playing very bad music. Why a credit union needs to play bad music only a young person can explain because I sure can't.

It has been mentioned about videos. Sometimes I want to watch a video that explains something that I want to know. They play some really awful music that is louder than the person talking. Almost always, I just shut if off. I think we are entering a sick period of time in our society and the current wave of violence is almost guaranteed to continue. As the guy said, "WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND."
 
One of the places I worked at had loud contemporary music all day long. If your job was one of doing simple and repetitive tasks, it wouldn't bother you, but I worked as a tech trying to figure out maintenance issues and did not need it blaring in my ears.
 
Now that Covid is behind me and am frequenting stores more, always have a pair of earplugs in my pocket. Does not eliminate it but does minimize it.

The suspicious side of me suspects it is part and parcel of the audio/visual surveillance society we now exist in.
 
I have to say I cannot bear the music in clothes shops.. as someone said, it always seemed to be aimed at deaf 15 year olds. The stores are being short-sighted with that because the louder the music the shortest period of time you will spend in the store ( music stores excepted)

In some of our book stores the music if any is very quiet background usually classical. In our secondhand bookstores there's no music, it's blissfully quiet... and my favourite one has an upstairs room where there's an armchair for people to sit and read right next to the window.. and the smell is like it's been invented for ancient old books.. which of course is actually real..
 
Chet said:
One of the places I worked at had loud contemporary music all day long. If your job was one of doing simple and repetitive tasks, it wouldn't bother you, but I worked as a tech trying to figure out maintenance issues and did not need it blaring in my ears.
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Yes, it would bother you. Radio stations that play the same songs every day. Daily torture for those working in fast food, etc.

Someone told me their friend worked in a bookstore where they played Vivaldi's 4 Seasons all day, every day. Imagine working there for, say, a week.

Also, gyms where they play the same 2-hour loop every day. Argh!

I don't mind it so much when shopping, because I'm only there for a few minutes.
 
My Podiatrist shares a waiting room with the local Doctor. Every time I go in for an appointment the T.V. is blaring. I asked the receptionist
why it was so loud and she said, "so patients outside can't hear what the Doctor was talking about". When I went in last Thursday the picture was on
but no sound. I said "Oh, I thought something was missing, no sound". She just looked at me. Maybe other patients complained about the loudness of the T.V.?
 

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