Rant of the Day – Loud Music in Restaurants

What’s the deal with loud music in restaurants and cafes when you’re trying to have a conversation with someone?  I was in Starbucks today in San Francisco meeting a business colleague I have not seen for awhile and we had a lot to catch up on.  Right above us was a speaker in the ceiling blaring music that really did not need.  Don’t these places realize that people go there to talk not to listen to music?

Not long ago I was in Starbucks with another friend trying to do some work on our PC’s and discuss the same, hardly anyone else in the place, but still loud music coming from the speakers.  We asked them to turn it down, and they did so reluctantly – to a point.

How many times have you gone out somewhere – and isn’t the purpose to be with someone and enjoy a good meal and conversation? – only to have to shout and talk over the music?  It’s different than just loud background noise in a restaurant, some places encourage that noise by designing the place to be acoustically loud, they think it enhances things, but it does not!

I love loud music and turn it up in the car, but not when there is someone else in the car, that would be just rude (unless you’re both singing along and then it’s ok – especially if the Other Person has a bad singing voice!).

Note to restaurants: we come to eat good food, have a good experience and to Talk.  We hate to talk over the music and we may not come back the next time!