Ask stores to turn down the volume

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, December 23, 2004

Recently I visited the new University Bookstore in Mill Creek. I was very pleased with the layout of the store, the wide aisles and the selection of books and materials. I was not happy, however, with the loud, frantic jazz being piped throughout the store.

After selecting a few gifts, I stopped by the information desk and told one of the women working there that I loved the store but couldn’t stand the music, which made me want to leave as soon as possible rather than linger and browse. She went to get the store manager who was very gracious. She said they play a mix of light classics, popular music and jazz and have had no other complaints about the jazz, but she offered to turn down the music while I was in the store. I thanked her and she immediately turned the music off.

It’s hard to be a quiet person in a noisy world, but sometimes a polite request for less noise brings positive results. If you would like a quieter retail or restaurant environment, let businesses know that you do not want to be bombarded with sound. If they really want you as a customer, they will attempt to accommodate you. And if they don’t care, you can take your business elsewhere.

Judy Kessinger

Mill Creek