Stop that music – now!

This is a simple complaint- stores in India need to stop playing music- specially at a volume that could cause permanent damage to their customers ears.

We decided to spend an evening at Connaught Place on Saturday evening. We started by getting coffee at a Cafe Coffeeday outlet, the cafe was packed but we found a nice table in a corner. The moment we sat there, we realized we couldn’t talk to each other across the table as the music was too loud. Requesting the waitress to reduce the volume did result in some sanity that lasted only for a couple of minutes till our order was processed. This time around, the volume was incremented with a vengeance and the choice of a sleazy Bollywood number made it worse.  Why does a coffee store that’s supposed to promote conversation play loud music?

Frustrated, we walked out and took a stroll around the nostalgic circle. A shoe caught my eye at the Reebok storefront so we walked in only to find loud blaring hip-hop noise playing in the foreground. Everything else was in the background – including the customers who just weren’t able to explain to the store assistants what they wanted. It took us probably less than a minute to walk out.

Some distance away was the good old Wenger’s pastry shop. The good old store has been in existence from 1926 and is famed for its excellent choice of cakes, pastries and snacks. Entering it to pick up some bread, we realized what a world of difference no-music-in-the-store could make. Customers were busy buying products at a phenomenal speed, the staff was focused on taking orders, collecting cash and delivering. If the next generation of the owners of Wenger’s takes over and introduces some hip-hop or Bollywood bull**** in the background, I’m very sure their sales are going to steeply decline.

Music has it’s place, time and acceptable volume levels. Also, music is very personal choice just like religion. I like to listen to Johnny Cash in a low volume in the background when I’m not working too seriously. Or to Buddy Guy when in a relaxed mood. When my choice is selective Country or Blues or Jazz in a particular setting and volume, how can any store managers decide to thrust blaring noise on me just because I’ve been kind enough to consider buying something from them?