Quoting Roger Hecht <[log in to unmask]>:

>Ravi Narasimhan wrote:
....
>>I could request a half-hour block of a station of choice but that was
>>not a great answer.  When I suggested that they turn off the stereo
>>and let people bring what music they liked on their personal equipment,
>>I was told that it was not possible or even "fair".
>
>Whatever that means.

I did the same double take with the manager of the facility.  He argued
that the members were entitled to have thumping music as the default
case (apparently it is conducive to maximizing one's pump-tential) and
that it is up to those who don't want it to take steps.  I asked if that
were true of smoking and other activities.  The conversation went downhill
from there.


>>I agree with Donald Clarke.  The assault on the senses in the name of
>>advertising won't go back anytime soon.
>
>Alas, I agree, as well.  In my earlier post, I was just saying I've
>had some occasional success in getting restaurants to turn down music.
>I'm big and mean looking.  Maybe that explains something.

On average, I've found independently-run restaurants and stores to be
more receptive to polite requests to turn down the music.  My impression
is that larger, corporate outfits view the customer as something to be
managed and manipulated.  They aren't selling a product but an "experience".
I expect their staffs are told what to play and how loud to play it much
as they are told specific phrases to use with the customers with
consequences if they don't follow the script.

The Onion had its usual perceptive take on this a few years ago:
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33404

Another poster referred to the human need for silence.  Couldn't agree
more.  I carry earplugs with me nowadays on those occasions when I have
to deal with public spaces and markets.

Ravi Narasimhan
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