I am so sick of not being able to talk or hear a normal conversation because restaurants think the music has to be cranked up to create ambience. I asked a place this morning to turn their music down because I could not hear the waitresses speaking to us at the table, let alone my wife and I have a normal conversation over breakfast. We were one of two tables of people in the whole place. They agreed to turn it down, thankfully. Or else we would�ve had to leave.

Rant over.

My hearing is shot after years of headphone use and loud concerts in smaller venues

The worst for me are wedding receptions and big parties
I just smile and nod acting like I can hear what people are saying

Big part of why I like fishing away from the metroplex with peace and quiet, hearing just the sounds of nature

I was a boat captain for a high school team yesterday on RayHubbard. Fishing the rocks on. hwy 30 made me want to jump off. Something tall and head first

This, I just want to get away to peace and quiet.

I�ve heard that Luby�s keeps the music volume low

This is me except mine is gone from years of shooting and using small engines with no ear protection.

I can�t hear what people are saying when there is loud background noise but I can hear a squirrel in a tree or a fish jump 50 yards away. It drives my girlfriend crazy.

Yep, age has nothing to do with it.
Some restaurant managers believe, or chains in general, like BoomerJack's for example, think that loud music adds to the atmosphere. They also want to turn tables, so loud music and cold air makes people leave.
Once customers are in restaurants, unless the wait time is "1" hour or more, most people do not leave.

Restaurants, especially those with "sports" atmospheres, are so loud, they are uncomfortable. Asking for music to be turned down is rare, and I'd surmise when asked, a manager or "decision-maker" turns it down slightly.
They know you are leaving within the hour anyway.

Loud music, alcohol, high ceilings and people at tables competing with each other to be heard all adds to the "beating" of eating out. I still love going, but I do not hesitate to "voice" opinions on service and experience. After all, I'm "paying" for it.

Addendum: In most cases, managers DO want to hear from customers about their establishments. The biggest desire, "return business."

...------

Due to too many gunshots I do a lot of nodding and smiling. I like solitude. The loud music has become a thing. We even had to ask staff to turn down the music during lunch. Annoying as heck.

I'm with you!

Its sitting in Olive Garden and hearing "When the moon hits your eye like a big piece of pie.......

This is a first. In my lifetime I don�t ever recall anyone ever complaining about not being able to hear their wife.

that is the worst when you cant even have a conversation over a meal cause of the music...

I guess that�s something that has ever bothered me. Like someone said try Luby�s. No music and get you a Louann platter. Just don�t trip on canes or walkers.

I can�t remember the last time I was in a restaurant where the music was a problem and I go out a LOT

big Pizza Pie..

That's amore.

I like conversation when I�m eating, especially with my family. I hate phones to be shown, but I never win that battle. Loud music is annoying if I have to raise my voice when speaking.

Yup. If I have to raise my voice over the music, I promise you that the cooks all the way in back can hear me.

+1 Are all states like this or is it just another Texas custom?

I like a festive atmosphere, doesn't bother me at all

I prefer Furr's over Luby's.

Get off my lawn. People should not be festive and have fun when eating out. They should be quiet as a mouse. Eating is serious business. Ain't nobody got time for a good time.

Going out to eat has become a major beating for us , I told me wife we are OLD .

I like music in a restaurant but not too loud that you can�t speak to someone without having to really raise your voice. Most places we go are okay in that range every now and then one will be stupid loud but not very often. Of all things I recently told a Subway to turn it down and they did. We were the only ones in there at that time and they were rocking way too loud to be pleasant.

I have been know to go over and unplug the jukebox. I only do this after hard bouts of drinking, though.

We crank it up fairly loud. Keeps undesirables out.

We need an Olds sub forum.

You should see an Olds reaction when I tell them I'm not turning the music down and im not turning off the fan. (Fan in winter mode so it's not blowing on them).

I don�t complain, I just make a note to never return if the music is at an uncomfortable level. It is their business and they can run it the way they want to. They, most likely, are not going to change just for me. Usually the louder the music, the worse the food anyway.

It's called The Bunker

lol quote of the day ^^^^^

I'm confused. Is this thread political or religious?

Old people complain about everything and think everyone should cater to their demands...they are a lot like millennials in that way. If I had a restaurant and didn't care if it made money or not, I would have bouncers to keep out the snowflakes and curmudgeons. Maybe they could ask screening questions like, "what's your favorite Metallica song?, and why does UT suck"?

Addendum: Chains send in their own spies to monitor everything. Individual restaurant owners, and the managers keep their eyes and ears open as well.
If the music is way loud, accompanying all the other loudness of the "hustle and bustle" of "food consummation," then the hope is the "volume will kill your taste buds," thus masking poor product.

Addendum II: Smiling, walking around and going up to tables to ask, "How is everything today?" will hopefully garner the "return business."

Addendum III: Managers want to hear from consumers, but obviously they hope to hear nothing but praise. Running a restaurant and constantly pleasing people out for a night is tough. Turning down the "volume" could be easy, but managers won't unless a complain is served hot on a plate.

...------

Grumble, grumble, grumble, I'm old, grumble, grumble, grumble.

Nope but full of grumpy old guys much like The Bunker.

I no longer yell about kids being on the grass because it�s dead from lack of water. If I watered I would be bitchin 24 hours day about the cost of water and the conspiracy to drain our lakes for the rich people in Dallas. Now I just keep the balls kids throw over the fence. I may to to Grandys to see if they still have those hot ladies passing out biscuits and honey.