Eating out - Background music
Discussion
How do people feel about music being played in eateries?
It has irritated me for a long time. I have asked for it to be turned down in restaurants in the past, when I can’t hear what the person opposite me was try to say. But a couple of recent occasions have finally prompted me to put it to the masses of PH.
In the first instance, I went for breakfast with Little Mole to a local Marina that has a very nice café/restaurant. Sitting outside in the early autumn sun, we decided to sit at the table furthest away from the nearest speaker (around 50ft) so as not to be irritated by the music. If it had been some classic 70-80’s yacht rock, I probably would have been slightly more tolerant, but it was some crap dance music, at around 10AM, on a midweek morning. I’m mid 40s, and looking around, was one of the younger patrons, so I can’t imagine they were playing requests.
A few days later we were out for a drive and popped into a country pub, that we have visited a few times before, for a swift half. This is the quintessential stone built pub in a small village, with views for miles around from the lovely beer garden. Imagine my joy at walking into said garden, only to find there is now a wonderfully appropriate “Jerk Chicken Shack” pumping out Reggae music. Now although I’m not a fan of the aforementioned genre, I accept many people are. But surely there is a time and a place. If the music was at a level where it merely added to the ambience as you stood to order your spicey chicken, then fair enough. If it is irritating people around 75ft away then its too loud for that environment. I walked off the street expecting horse brasses and dominoes, and got the Notting Hill Carnival.
My only real conclusion is the most pubs, cafes and restaurants are now staffed almost entirely by children, who have the music at a level that they like, and that doesn’t irritate them as the go about there work. But it does irritate me.
Is it just me?
It has irritated me for a long time. I have asked for it to be turned down in restaurants in the past, when I can’t hear what the person opposite me was try to say. But a couple of recent occasions have finally prompted me to put it to the masses of PH.
In the first instance, I went for breakfast with Little Mole to a local Marina that has a very nice café/restaurant. Sitting outside in the early autumn sun, we decided to sit at the table furthest away from the nearest speaker (around 50ft) so as not to be irritated by the music. If it had been some classic 70-80’s yacht rock, I probably would have been slightly more tolerant, but it was some crap dance music, at around 10AM, on a midweek morning. I’m mid 40s, and looking around, was one of the younger patrons, so I can’t imagine they were playing requests.
A few days later we were out for a drive and popped into a country pub, that we have visited a few times before, for a swift half. This is the quintessential stone built pub in a small village, with views for miles around from the lovely beer garden. Imagine my joy at walking into said garden, only to find there is now a wonderfully appropriate “Jerk Chicken Shack” pumping out Reggae music. Now although I’m not a fan of the aforementioned genre, I accept many people are. But surely there is a time and a place. If the music was at a level where it merely added to the ambience as you stood to order your spicey chicken, then fair enough. If it is irritating people around 75ft away then its too loud for that environment. I walked off the street expecting horse brasses and dominoes, and got the Notting Hill Carnival.
My only real conclusion is the most pubs, cafes and restaurants are now staffed almost entirely by children, who have the music at a level that they like, and that doesn’t irritate them as the go about there work. But it does irritate me.
Is it just me?
Yes, I'm not a fan. Music just makes people talk louder to talk over it, and then the decibel level gets to a point where I can't hear a damned thing. And generally the music is rubbish. Lots of young people have music constantly piped into their ears by their permanently attached headphones or airpods. I can't think critically or work effectively or even have a proper conversation when music is playing - it's a complete distraction and I'd much prefer to do without it. That doesn't mean I don't like music - I love all kinds of genres and go to gigs, but there's a time and a place and a restaurant isn't it. I'm late 40s.
LunarOne said:
That doesn't mean I don't like music - I love all kinds of genres and go to gigs, but there's a time and a place and a restaurant isn't it. I'm late 40s.
Yes, I should have added that I am a huge music fan, largish record/ CD collection, love Hi-Fi and a regular gig attendee. I was having breakfast in hotel when working in Scotland one time, the room was silent.
Unfortunately one of the other hotel guests, a young lady, who was also having breakfast, was producing some strange and quite loud noises from her stomach.
I imagine she was quite embarrassed .
I would have preferred radio 2!
Unfortunately one of the other hotel guests, a young lady, who was also having breakfast, was producing some strange and quite loud noises from her stomach.
I imagine she was quite embarrassed .
I would have preferred radio 2!
Tango13 said:
I like playing 'guess the cover' as it's usually mainstream music played on Indian musical instruments, one of the strangest I've heard was the theme from 'Local Hero' played I suspect on a sitar
A year or two ago Radio 3, in a world music slot, played a piece which they announced as a field recording by an Afghan tribesman. It was quite apparent that what he was singing was Tim Harding’s ‘If I Were A Carpenter’. I emailed them to inform them of this, but they blanked me.On topic: I love music far too much to put up with background music, anytime, anywhere.
Yep it can definitely be too loud / annoying genre for the clientele
I was in one of the eateries at Gatwick airport at 6am last week for breakfast, and they were playing very loud music of a generic "dance" genre
I cannot imagine who they thought would prefer that music at that time of the day
I was in one of the eateries at Gatwick airport at 6am last week for breakfast, and they were playing very loud music of a generic "dance" genre
I cannot imagine who they thought would prefer that music at that time of the day
Ive never heard it that loud, i welcome it, it can be quite nice when you hear a good song come on in the back ground. Not the biggest fan of rock, listened to it more when i was a teenage yoof but do enjoy going to a hard rock, but thats for the background music,the setting just hits the spot 
Not sure I like music in a restaurant I'm paying top dollar for, it feels cheesy and like they want to compensate for the s
te food and lack of atmosphere.
Maybe a breakfast outfit would be fine to get the day started.
I had a Mcdonalds the other week, music was far too bloody loud but its fast food.
te food and lack of atmosphere.Maybe a breakfast outfit would be fine to get the day started.
I had a Mcdonalds the other week, music was far too bloody loud but its fast food.
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