[aninjamom]

My husband and I went to eat at one of our favorite spots here last night, we go almost once a week. Unfortunately the noise level was even worse than usual, bordering on the painful. There always seem to be people who think that having a good time includes very LOUD raucous laughter, and having the whole restaurant hear your jokes. Remember telling your kids to use their "indoor voices"? Have some consideration people, you ARE in a public place. Keeping your voices on a normal level keeps others from having to compete to be heard, and keeps the overall noise level to something bearable!

[redwitch]

Sadly, a lot of these people think they are using indoor voices. Their hearing has diminished. I blame the restaurants here, though. Not a lot of thought nor money was put into acoustics. Better sound-dampening items such as acoustic tiles and carpeting help tremendously.

[DonH57]

I sometimes have to remind our dog to use his "inside voice", but he seldom listens.

[Bonny]

Unfortunately, when people get together and are laughing and having a good time, voices just seem to escalate. I don't think people are being purposely inconsiderate, they're just having a good time. Many of us don't have the sharp hearing that we used to.

[Bay Kid]

Dad can't hear ____, but we can all hear him loud and clear! Mom hears everything....

[graciegirl]

Adding liquor to people often increases their sound.

I used to drink and never did it well.

Some people are just LOUD. I like eating at home more and more. I love the menu.

[DeanFL]

wow. 5 responses to this posting so far - and each one of them is spot-on, and not angry. Agree with each one, and points to various angles to the topic.

nice light discussion folks.

However I see myself on both sides at times - looking over at a loud group, or...being part of a loud group.

[2BNTV]

I wear hearing aides myself and I am constantly amazed at how some people talk to a person that is right next to them as if they were in another room.

People just love the sound of their own voice. IMHO

[perrjojo]

Many restutaunts seem to encourage high noise levels. Hey think noise equals the appearance of people having a good time.

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

I wear hearing aides myself and I am constantly amazed at how some people talk to a person that is right next to them as if they were in another room.

People just love the sound of their own voice. IMHO

,,,

[Rapscallion St Croix]

When there are large groups in restaurants, they tend to be loud, especially when laughing. I have suggested to my wife that we should do the same, just the two of us, to see what the reaction is. She tells me to shut up and eat my salad.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by DonH57

I sometimes have to remind our dog to use his "inside voice", but he seldom listens.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by bagboy

My mother wasn't one of those... I remember as a young man my mom lecturing me for for something I most likely did more than once and she'd finish by saying "do you think I'm yelling to just hear myself speak?" Then at times she would finish a lecture by saying "do you think I'm yelling at you for my health?" I still haven't figured that one out, but I dare not ask her. ☺

Normal conversation is one thing and yelling is another.

So I opine, why are people talking so loudly when the person they are speaking to, is sitting right next to them?

I realize some people are hard of hearing and probably don't realize their volume level is excessive but they need to give it a break for the people in their vicinity. IMHO

We don't love their voice as much as they do their own.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by aninjamom

My husband and I went to eat at one of our favorite spots here last night, we go almost once a week. Unfortunately the noise level was even worse than usual, bordering on the painful. There always seem to be people who think that having a good time includes very LOUD raucous laughter, and having the whole restaurant hear your jokes. Remember telling your kids to use their "indoor voices"? Have some consideration people, you ARE in a public place. Keeping your voices on a normal level keeps others from having to compete to be heard, and keeps the overall noise level to something bearable!

What you experienced was rude behavior. I was taught to be quiet in public, not whisper quiet just keep my voice low. Practically speaking I'm not interested in the conversation of others nor do I want my conversation public knowledge. Others may disagree. It's all how you were raised.

[blueeagle65]

If those that needed hearing aids would get -and- use them, they wouldn't be screaming.