What is your view of music in shops? I ask that because last week I paid a visit to the grand old lady of Princes Street, the world famous Jenners, where I was driven demented by the dire and drear music being played in every department I went through. I actually left without lingering as I might have done (and all I bought was a pair of socks) because the music was so bad it drove me away. I'd previously been in Marks & Spencer, and things were no better there.
You'll be wanting to know what it was I took such exception to, and all I can say is that it was the most dull, featureless pop. Of course, I know it's a matter of personal preference, and what I might love to listen to, you might hate*, but I remember with fondness the very early days of Waterstone's when Mozart would be playing softly in the background as we browsed the shelves and tables overflowing with good books. Ah me!
I must say that I'm not trying to dictate the genre or style of music that shops might play - I have very eclectic tastes - but I'd just like it if they gave us quality, and at appropriate volume, rather than something bland and boring.
*This exchange from Fawlty Towers comes to mind:
Sybil: "Basil, what's that racket?"
Basil: "That's Brahms' Third Racket!".
I hate and loathe and despise music in shops or any public places. First thing I do if I enter a restaurant or pub or whatever is to ask for it to be turned down or off. Request met with incredulous looks and my daughters flee in embarrassment. Well they did, now I am on my own I just march in. Complained once about Tom Jones being played full blast in a Waterstones in the city.
Assistant: What, don't you like Tom Jones then?
Me: I have been in love with Tom Jones for years and have attended concerts and screamend and shrieked and yelled like all the other daft women, but I do not want to hear him full blast in WATERSTONES when I am browsing
Assistant: How about Roy Orbison then?
I left and wrote a letter to the MD of HMV who had just bought Waterstones and received a very long polite letter back which, in effect, told me to **** off. I have now given up
Posted by: Elaine | 14 April 2010 at 12:56 PM
Good for you, Elaine. I found the manager of my local Waterstones and told him that the reason I was leaving without buying anything was that I couldn't bear the music ... and that I was off to buy in peace from Amazon. Well, you might as well let them know why they're driving customers away - but, as you know, all you get is blank looks. Now if only I could find a peaceful hairdressers ...
Posted by: m | 14 April 2010 at 01:15 PM
My husband and I were recently browsing in a bookstore in Washington DC. We would normally spend close to an hour in a store like this one but because of the noise (I refuse to call it music) left after only 15 minutes. This was probably the only time we'll ever visit this store since we don't live there but if I were a regular customer I would certainly speak up.
Posted by: Pam | 14 April 2010 at 02:03 PM
Ha love it. If only it wasn't so loud in bookshops it would be fine. I'm not troubled by music in clothes shops, it just sort of blurs (although I can tell you it drives the assistants mad as well and they have to listen to it for hours on end).
Posted by: Jodie | 14 April 2010 at 02:48 PM
I used to work in a shop which was one of the entrance points to a shopping centre. For one summer I worked on a till close to one of the internal entrances and as a result had the music from the shop in one ear and the music from the shopping centre in the other which nearly drove me mad! The shop music wasn't too bad because in those days it was still in the hands of colleagues as to what CD got put on (rap and thrash metal were banned!)and if I really hated it I could get it replaced.
The shopping centre music on the other hand was on a twenty minute loop which went round and round and round and round.....
The same loop was on all day every day for the best part of 6 weeks and was responsible for my not being able to bear certain Eagles tracks for a long time -a shame since I had always loved them since the 70's!
Posted by: Liz F | 14 April 2010 at 03:53 PM
Our local Barnes and Noble must not play music, or plays it softly, or plays non-annoying music. To tell the truth, I can't recall. I guess I really don't mind music in clothing shops. In fact, I kind of like the music from the teen shops.
What really bothers me is loud music in restaurants. Our local Texas Roadhouse plays country music a la Willie Nelson at a very, very loud volume so that you can hardly speak to your dining partner. I don't know if you know about the Texas Roadhouse chain over there, but every once in a while a group of employees breaks out into a "spontaneous" line dance.
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | 14 April 2010 at 07:05 PM
I cannot stand background/foreground music in any venue! I refuse to patronise, except in dire need, any shop that plays music. I have walked out of a number of bookshops in recent years precisely because of the music.
Hate with a vengnace!!!!
Posted by: Dark Puss | 14 April 2010 at 10:46 PM
Elaine, I'm with you on this 100%. Hope you told Waterstones to F*** off too by refusing to have any more to do with them!
Posted by: Dark Puss | 14 April 2010 at 10:47 PM
I know heaps of people who refuse to shop where music is playing. And yet I've never heard of anybody who says I'm not shopping there, it's too quiet.
So why do they inflict it on us?
Never mind, it saves me money ... I don't linger in many shops long enough to be tempted.
Posted by: m | 14 April 2010 at 11:31 PM
Last time I went into Borders I had to wear earplugs. I can't think straight or browse peaceably with the awful din they call music that was blasted about. And then there are those larger department stores where each sub-section is playing different music and if you happen to be standing at the interface you wonder why you feel very confused!?! ;P
Posted by: Laura | 15 April 2010 at 12:58 AM
I'm OK with music that suits the environment. What drives me nuts is competing music. Why must the perfume department play louder and different music than the adjoining department? I just high tail it.
Posted by: LoriAngela | 15 April 2010 at 01:35 AM
I can't stand it.
Posted by: Harriet | 15 April 2010 at 09:45 AM
Obviously, you have struck a nerve, judging by the responses so far. I must admit, I do not like music, particularly loud music, playing in the background of stores or restaurants. I find that it is difficult enough to enjoy dinner even in high end restaurants because people talk so loudly, seemingly believing that I and everyone else present want to hear their conversation--either table and/or mobile (don't even get me started on this subject). Add music to the cacophony and I would rather stay home.
Posted by: Mary | 15 April 2010 at 11:42 AM
Dark Puss - I very rarely enter a Waterstones now. We have two in Colchester and to give them their due the music is low and sometimes not on at all, but the three for two, the pushing of books by Katie Price and Dawn French and others of that ilk mean I no longer browse. I am fortunate that I get sent lots of books so no need to linger in these places any more and if I spend hours in second hand bookshops which I do they are always blissfully quiet.
Posted by: Elaine | 15 April 2010 at 03:41 PM