Noise Pollution
 

I am wondering if anyone else feels as I do about the proliferation of noise pollution? It seems that everywhere I go I am bombarded by loud music or TV monitors blaring out advertisements. It is getting more and more difficult to have a shopping or dining experience where the ambiance is quiet and peaceful. Who decided that I would spend more time perusing a store if I was subjected to loud rock music? Whose bright idea was it that I would enjoy my meal in a restaurant if I have to yell across the table to converse with others in my party? More often than not I find that I leave stores quickly once I am met at the door by the obnoxious "music" that someone decided would enhance my shopping experience. Maybe that "someone" assumed that everyone in Florida is deaf or hard of hearing? I have decided to start a campaign of e-mailing companies who have made a corporate decision to ruin my shopping and dining experiences by blasting my ears with THEIR choice of music. I do NOT patronize these businesses anymore and I won't return until they have some respect for me and my money. I have actually asked store clerks if they could turn the music down, only to be met with stares and shoulder shrugs. So, maybe I am the weird one? Perhaps my hearing is just TOO good? Is it just me?

As a big fan of quiet, I couldn't agree with you more. Let's take this a step further - what about the people here with radios in their golf carts that blares loudly as they go by? Seriously, can't you take a golf cart ride without it? I don't want to hear your music, especially at the level you have it to be heard over a gas cart! And then there are the people who bring their radios to the pool and for some reason, sit next to me as I am trying to read my book in peace. Don't get me wrong, I love music but do you have to have noise wherever you go?

Music
 

"what"

Is isn't just you! I applaud your campaign to e-mail companies aobut noise pollution. Good for you.

Bonefish Grill is one of the few restaurants that I've found where the patrons aren't bombarded with loud music. Even the shop where I have my hair cut has rock music booming.

Pasta Faire in Belleview used to have wonderful, semi-classical music playing softly in the background....it was so enjoyable to have a meal there. We haven't been there in a while so I don't know if that has changed or not. I hope not. It just doesn't seem to matter these days what kinds of businesses we are patronizing, "ear abuse" is all around us. It would be nice one day to have loud noise go the way of cigarette smoke. I don't smoke and I do not like being subjected to smoke, even outside. But, that said, I realize that smokers need some place to keep puffing away until they can deal with their addiction. Give me a choice! Pipe the loud rock music outside and those who like abusing their ears can go out there! Until I DO have a choice I will give my money to businesses who care about my serenity and enjoyable experience while in their establishments. I agree wholeheartedly about the radios in golf carts....I just don't understand the need to have music blaring 24/7? As for me, I don't want to miss the whistle of the cardinal as he prepares to dart across the cart path. It is my signal to watch for the flash of red that is coming! And, if I had a radio sitting on the dash of my golf cart I might surely miss the pair of sandhill cranes in the fairway just off to my left. Their call is unmistakable and so unique. The only distractions I want are the natural ones that I moved here to listen to. Otherwise, if I have to be subjected to music just keep it enjoyable and low. The people who feel they HAVE to have a radio going right next to others at the pools are just plain inconsiderate. No place is safe from noise pollution.

In reference to loud music piped outside
 

Havana had to bring their music inside after neighbors complained about the loud music.

But I am with you. I enjoy music while eating, but not so loud that you can hear the person sitting next to you.

I agree completely. I dont even like the local radio playing on the
loudspeakers at LSL!

wow!!

I have always been bothered by (for which you may, almost certainly, read "annoyed by") the piped-out-into-the-world presence of WVLG around either Square.

I have always been bothered by the ear-bending noise at virtually every eating establishment you care to think of.

A group I meet with every month always likes to find a place after our meeting for a peaceful dinner, so that we can talk amongst ourselves without straining either our ears or our vocal chords! Such venues are almost impossible to find!

I suppose it's all related to today's addiction to the modern instant-communcation addiction!

Ah, well, I'm pretty sure that we old fossils [i.e., those of us over 70] will soon die out, and those remaining can do whatever nonsense they want!

SWR
:beer3:

Sooooo true!
 

:agree::agree::agree: Not only restaurants either...
Had an appointment at Professional Salon, unbelievably LOUD, how can they possibly think that the LOUD music is soothing to the ear...Ugh!

I agree, I treasure quietness. I'm only 54 and have just begun researching a move to The Villages. I will be sorely disappointed if I can't sit at the pool and enjoy quietness while I read a book. In some instances, such as this, maybe the person who enjoys the loud music could use earphones?
I also agree that loud music at a restaurant is inappropriate. Music is okay, in the background, but not so loud that you have to talk louder than normal in order to be heard by your dinner companion. This would be a deal breaker for me; I would avoid the restaurant in the future.

It doesn't get any better than this and I am loving every minute of it! Cumberland Center, Maine, Yarmouth, Maine, Westbrook, Maine, The Villages, Fl.


Sounds like this statement isn't true!! No music!! This is insane!!

My gripe lately is the very loud background music on television soaps and sitcoms where the music muffles the dialogue!! I've written a number of times to the programs about this and nothing changes as well as no responses.

I didn't say "NO" music! And, I didn't say that the noise pollution was confined to The Villages! I think if you reread what I have written you will see that I am advocating for music that doesn't disturb every day activities. Music is wonderful and I love it! I just don't like being overmodulated by it!

One persons music is another persons noise pollution. I believe the marketing folks determined that certain types of music will encourage you to buy more in stores and that is when the music started. Some places even resort to using scents to encourage sales. It is the same reason television commercials are played at high volume. I wonder if these marketing geniuses think they can sell something to me by irritating me? I would love to have people like VillagesFlorida for my neighbors.

I concur
 

When we were in the visitation mode here in TV I was struck by VLG blasting at LSL. I call VLG The propaganda station. The following quote typifies that propoganda. "How long has it been since you toured an open house here in the Villages?" My answer... Last MAY dipstick, thats how I decided which home I wanted to build. After the stress of my last move why would I want to do that to myself again. Besides, I am so busy playing I have to struggle to find time to clean my house half the time. Why would I want to waste time at an Open House for a home I am not going to buy. DUH. " Oh my did I really say something that mean?? So sorry. I know some Villagers do purcahse a different home than the one they landed in, but I wonder if it was because they decided to move for a different reason that they happend through an Open House. I don't know maybe I am wrong. :(

I have friends here who love going to Open Houses! Maybe they view this as just another activity here in The Villages! I think that probably they DO sell homes this way. As for the music playing on the two Town Squares, I really don't mind it. At least they play music from MY era! I dread to think what the music will be 50 years from now....rap, I guess! I won't have to worry about it, that's for sure!

You mean you people can still hear here? My hearing is like my eyesight....shot.

I agree. I hate the loudspeakers with the corny sappy music. Makes me feel 100 years old!

I agree.

Because I wear "hearers" they also amplify every sound so that I can't hear the dialogue sometimes.

During the late 80s and early 90s, I was on broadcast assignments through most of the cultural capitals of the former Soviet Union. In almost every city I visited, there was state propaganda being broadcast through speakers on every corner. When it wasn't spoken word, it was some kind of funeral dirge music.

JLK

Another quiet fan here. Sometimes when hubby travels for work, I never turn on a TV the whole time he's gone. I love the sound of quiet!

BTW, does TGI Friday's still play music so loud you can't here yourself think? The first and last time I ever went to one was more than 30 years ago. The music was so loud it actually hurt. I have not been back to one since.

I can't understand why people play boom boxes at the pools. Why not just use earbugs rather than imposing on everyone else?

I rather like the radio playing at the squares though. I guess because it adds to the feel of it being a festive entertainment district. :shrug:

I agree about the noise pollution, is there anything we can DO as Villagers to stop the radio playing in the squares and the Rec centers?
I bet a lot of folks would vote against this intrusion on our peace and quiet?

And the restaurants...I usually have to ask them to turn down the volume. Some do, some don't.
The worst is when the station is playing somewhere and it's not tuned in, and there's constant static. No one seems to notice!!!
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I thought i was cursed w/ super sensitive hearing.
Thanks for opening this up and letting me feel not alone.
Is there anything we can do about the radio in the squares and rec centers????

[:agree::agree::agree::agree::agree:
I rather like the radio playing at the squares though. I guess because it adds to the feel of it being a festive entertainment district. :shrug:[/QUOTE]

Is there anything we can do about the radio in the squares and rec centers????[/QUOTE]

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I'm pretty sure if there were a poll taken you folks in this thread would be in the minority regarding the music at the squares.

I do love the sound of silence. However I agree with Pturner, the radio playing wrinklie music at the Squares adds to the festive ambience.

are you guys complaining of loud music or any noises....All I see is music,music,music....Noise is different for diff people....me personally am annoyed by someones dog barking constantly or someone who decided to take the baffles out of his motorcycle to sound cool...or the yard man who comes early in the morning to cut grass but can,t seem to afford that muffler for his truck...don't get me wrong ,I love the villages ,but with some 80,000 people and many more visitors noise is everywhere....By the way,,you motorcycle riders who love those loud harley,s.....look in the mirror....you ain't cool anymore....put the baffles back in......

Music
 

I have no problem with music in the squares. If you do not like it wear earplugs. SILLY

noise
 

:agree:

What scares me is when they start selling these in the village: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8iq1AtdlyU&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

I enjoy the music in the town squares, it's not all that loud and when there are lots of people around, you really can't even hear the music. In the rec enters, you can lower the volume of the radio. If you don't know how to, ask at the front desk. When we were shooting pool, sometimes it was just too loud and we'd lower the volume.

Gotta' tell ya'....I would rather be listening to the music being piped in on one of the squares than the snow plow I hear going by our house right now!

Now I have to agree with THAT. Cincinnati is getting yet ANOTHER storm.
Our daughter has stopped asking how the weather is here.:confused:

But people have different tolerances for noise. Some even have hyperacusis.

I know my sister is going to kill my brother in law someday for rattling the potato chip bag.:shrug:

:agree:

I think we are going to have snow here until April! We must have at least 4 ft on the ground. If we had someone that wanted to buy the house right now anything inside would be negotiable!