Music In Shops

[andy-hughes]

A couple of days ago, the present Mrs Hughes and I hit the local town for a shopping spree, picking up a variety of things from a variety of shops.


Without exception, every single one of them was playing generic forgettable pop pap through its speakers.

I know I am not a 'typical' music fan - I like my music from a source where I can identify it if I like it, and I like to listen when I am not concentrating on something else, so I am in the minority when it comes to my objection.

But I did wonder - does everyone else find intrusive bland pop music in shops irritating- or does it wash over you, or are you not bothered either way?

[anotheoldgit]

Bring back 'Sing along with Max' that will get one swaying around the aisles.

[Rockrose]

Max who?
Someone who has been dead for many years I suspect!
Probably enough to keep the young ones out of the shops.

[Canary42]

I find it irritating - even more so in cafes and restaurants.

[diddlydo]

I refuse to shop or even browse in places that play loud music - it drives me nuts.

[mushroom25]

it's what my daughter calls "snow dome music" (she used to work at one which plays the same sort of stuff), generic carp attributable to no-one in particular, which costs them the absolute minimum to broadcast.

that said, in Tesco a week or so back they played James Blunt's "you're beautiful" - and it was the album version, complete with words ruder than bottom. awesome.

[Purist]

In B&Q they play soundalikes, big hits covered by people that sound similar to the original artist, some of the versions of songs are horrific, I find it mildly entertaining. Asda Fm plays some good songs, popular clothes shops like new look or h&m make my ears bleed, probably because its new pop music and I am a bit of a fossil!

[Canary42]

/// Restaurants should have background music, ///

Yes, OK, I'll concur there spath - providing it is background.

[Gromit]

I like it, but my musical tastes are ecletic.
And generally it is not too loud.
My pet hate on a similar vein is pubs that have a tv on with sound, and a juke box (or music) playing at the same time.

[andy-hughes]

I agree about background music in restaurants - or hotel dining rooms, because silence encourages silence and no-one speaks to each other, so some quiet background is fine.

It's the loud pointless pop I can't be doing with!!!!!!

[Mamyalynne]

It tends to wash over me unless it's very good, then an urge to dance comes along - I'll never forget the Flash Mob in the freezer aisle.

That was fun.

[sanmac]

I quite like sitting in a really, really busy hectic restaurant watching the waiters frantically hustling and scurrying around in time to this:

[Buenchico]

I've just come from Morrison's in Ipswich, where they were playing some great Cuban sounds, followed by some interesting Country music. If I'd got any complaints about it, it would only be that it wasn't loud enough!

[Patsy33]

They play some nice songs in Charity shops! I find myself singing along as I'm browsing...

[roopower]

Agree with spath, couldn't normally tell you what was playing unless something strikes a chord subconsciously and then I possibly sing along, to the shame of anyone I'm with. I actually ended up in a duet with another shopper once!

[gness]

We are going to get along just fine, Andy....;-)

In Focus with a trolley full of decorating stuff the music was so loud I asked the manager if he'd turn it down a little so we could hear each other and MrG would then think he had some input into the choice of wallpaper.
The manager refused so we left the trolley and went elsewhere....
I shopped in Kettering's long gone large Co-op

[gness]

?????....Premature posting????

cont: Large Co-op then they introduced Radio Co-op....it was so loud but eventually the manager gave in to my nagging and let me call at his office to have the music turned down when I shopped...this did follow my helping to save the life of a man having a heart attack in the vegetable aisle.....

Aldi has no music....bliss......x

[rowanwitch]

I don't often notice, only at Christmas when all the cheesy Christmas songs come out, thank heaven for Amazon, I get to choose what I shop to.