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Task 28. Read the text“One Man’s Music is another Man’s Noise”and be ready to discuss it in the classroom with your groupmates.
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Task 28. Read the text“One Man’s Music is another Man’s Noise”and be ready to discuss it in the classroom with your groupmates.
FOCUS ON DISCUSSION
ONE MAN’S MUSIC IS ANOTHER
MAN’S NOISE
So what exactly is muzak? It’s the background music played in public places such as shops and supermarkets, or even while you are kept “on hold” during a telephone call. In a recent survey, researchers found that 33% of the general public expressed a total dislike for this form of music. A further 36 % of people said they never actually notice background music. This might serve as a strong message for business people to start questioning the value of playing muzak anywhere and everywhere, as many people clearly dislike it.
The vast majority of people who find it annoying feel that shops, restaurants and cafes are the worst places. Restaurants are generally considered worse for those who are hard of hearing as they can often feel left out of conversations or unable to hear staff well enough due to background noise. Muzak isn’t restricted to the shops though; ordinary life has become noisier too. It is now commonly piped onto buses, streets and hospital waiting areas. Many helpless people, suffering all kinds of uncomfortable conditions, are denied their right to silence. Surely we all have a basic right to silence should we choose.
In recent years, the quality of piped has changed from soft, instrumental versions of “Lady in Red” to harder, louder sounds. Restaurant owners seem to be operating in the belief that the more background noise there is, the better business will be. In fact, there are no statistics that actually prove that higher noise levels increase business. Some have suggested that the noise levels are against the rights of the individual.
In the UK, a website has even been set up for people to complain about the increasing use of muzak by companies! It seems the general public have little choice in the matter, though. Music is being used as a means to encourage us to spend more money, although this is thought to be a total abuse of the company-customer relationship. The website allows you to vent your anger by making a quick and easy complaint. It even provides readers with a list of restaurants and cafes that promise to be muzak-less! If you find yourself driven crazy by the noise, leave a complaint and make yourself heard.
Most of those who hold a genuine hatred for muzak tend avoid going to the shops where it is played. But, it’s not enough to stay away! If they do this, their voice is lost. If managers are ever to get the message that muzak is affecting business and customer relations, perhaps people need to start complaining more!
Helen G, London, says, " Our worst experience was in a large computer store. We asked two or more assistants if they could turn the music down as we were having trouble thinking straight but they were either indifferent or said they were unable to help. On the way out, we spoke to the manager who said it couldn’t be turned off. I informed him that we had come with ₤ 2, 000 to spend on computer equipment, but couldn’t bear to stay any longer because of the noise level. He immediately told us to wait while he rushed to turn it off. Of course we didn’t wait, we took our business elsewhere! "
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Whatever happened to shopping or socializing in peace? Silence in public places seems to be somewhat unacceptable these days. Life shouldn’t be like a library reading room, but our right to silence is somewhat we need to insist on as we should be allowed to have a certain level of peace and quiet in our lives.
Task 29. Choose the right point to complete the sentences.
A. The writer seems to think that ______________.
1) it's quite acceptable to choose to have peace and quiet.
2) many patients in hospitals are being denied music.
3) we have always been quiet in everyday life.
4) ) it's quite acceptable to have music in public places.
B. The writer noticed about restaurant owner___________.
1) the quality of the muzak they use has improved.
2) they have started to choose muzak with harder sounds.
3) they are increasingly worried about the rights of the individual.
4) They think that muzak improves business for their restaurants.
C. A special Internet site has been set up ______________.
1) to encourage customers to shop more often.
2) to demand the increase of the use of muzak.
3) to give customers lists of good restaurants.
4) to ease the process of complaining.
D. The writer thinks that managers will become more aware of the problem ______________.
1)when customers start complaining.
2) when they start losing customers.
3) when there are larger numbers of customers
4) when customers stay away from their business.
E. Helen left the computer store because ______________.
1) she had things to do elsewhere.
2) she didn’t have enough money to spend on the equipment.
3) she didn’t have the time to wait.
4) the staff were unhelpful.
F. The writer misses _____________.
1) going to the library.
2) going shopping.
3) socializing with friends.
4) silence in public places.
G. What is the writer's general attitude in the passage?
1) People need to express their views on background music more openly.
2) The volume of muzak is affecting those with hearing problems.
3) Restaurants are exploiting customers far too much.
4) People are becoming more vocal about their dislike for background music.
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