[This past Wednesday] We heard a feature about noisy restaurants. Food critic Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post surveyed a number of hotspots in the Washington area. He told me some of them topped 90 decibels, that’s like standing next to a lawnmower.
[ROBERT] SIEGEL: Thank you for doing this story, writes Ann Rabelfetcher(ph) of Atlanta. I wish you all restaurant reviewers would include noise levels in their coverage. The woman who said she liked noisy restaurants embodied the reason we detest them, quote, “I can bring my kid into there, he might be screaming and banging on the glasses or whatever, and no one notices.” Oh good, I’m so happy for pay for that ambiance.
[MICHELE] NORRIS: Jennifer Woods(ph) of Frankfort, Illinois, adds this: Your guest failed to mention what I think is another major reason for noisy restaurants. Most of them play music or television too loudly, so even if there are only a few diners, right away the conversation level has to overcome the entertainment. I once asked for the music to be turned off. The response from the waiter: Oh, we couldn’t do that; silence is oppressive.
Love that last line–the emphasis is mine–KSH..
“Silence is oppressive”
As though the music were for the benefit of the employees.
I do have a problem with chain restaurants which include sports bars; they’re far too noisy…..especially on Friday nights! The obvious solution for me is to not go there on Fridays, but for others………
“Silence is oppressive”
Must be why the aging hippie crowd dislikes the traditional Catholic Mass so much 😉
My wife and I have the perfect solution to NOISY eating places. We eat elsewhere. There are enough restaurants in our area that are nice and quiet or if music is being played it is generally low in volume and no loud singing. Look around people, they are still in business.
Yep…….and minus the sports bars!