The kids have been home for DAYS because of the snow. My routine…what’s a routine?The bloodmobile is close by at a local church. I’m going. I’ll honor my decision to donate as often as possible.
It’s four o’clock. I hope I’m ahead of all the people who plan to donate after work.
I’m here. The parking lot is not too full; good. I have my book and I’m ready to step into the trailer, shut off my brain, ignore all of what’s going on around me, and read in between all the administration I have to go through. The actual donation should take ten minutes or so, and I’ll have a snack afterwards. I should be able to rest, read, and enjoy my respite from the house and children. Right?
WRONG!
I step into the trailer and I hear music - loud music! For a split second, I wonder if I’ve stepped into the wrong trailer; this must be the place to complete the sign in. The comfy chair in the quiet, serene atmosphere must be inside the church.
No, I’m in the right place.
“Okay Anita, you can do this. You can tune out the thump, thump, thump. Read a page. Get into the story. It’s a good book. Or maybe, just try to enjoy the music. Pretend you’re dancing around the house with the kids.”
Not happening. I’m annoyed. I’m wondering why CLUB MUSIC is playing at a place where people need to be relaxed. Do I tell them to turn it down? Will my blood pressure rise after they all look at me incredulously; this “uppity $#&!%” or “old lady” trying to tell us what to do?
I try reading again.
It’s my turn to be seated for the donation. I’m directed to one of the four lounging chairs and as I sit back, the blaring of the music is louder. I turn slightly to see that the embedded wall speaker is right next to my head!
I’m just on the verge of saying something when I’m moved to another seat because my right arm is not cooperating.
“Just take it Anita. Put down your book. Listen to the technicians talk to the each other, and to the jovial man on the other chair. You need to relax so the process will end quickly.”
Okay, I’ll admit it - I’ve gotten old…I guess. The women and the one man in the trailer appear to be in their thirties through forty. I wonder if this is uncomfortable for me because of my age. But, on the other hand, I hear loud music occasionally and it doesn't bother me; just not in the confines of a trailer.
As I think more, I’m back to it being more bothersome than not. Weddings can be challenging. Seems it’s okay when you’re dancing, but when you’re trying to talk to your dinner partner who is sitting right beside you and you still have to scream at each other…
Do I write a letter to complain? Do I risk taking away the pleasure they may be feeling as they endure their monotonous eight hour day? Hmmm… Probably not. So I didn’t get my half hour of vegging. I’ll get it later.
Does loud music bother you?
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34 comments:
As a long-time sufferer of tinnitus (ringing in the ear) loud noises physically hurt me and make the ringing far worse, sometimes for a day or two. But, even before I got it, I hated loud music. Even if I liked the music, I disliked that someone else decided what I should be hearing and when...and at what volume. I guess I was born old and crotchety!
Oh JUDY, you do have a way with words! Thanks for the lol.
On a serious note, you make a very valid point.
Please woman,I have 2 teens, of course loud music bothers me.
Some types of music more than others.sorry you missed your peace
I would've asked if it could be turned down. You never know but the others that were there may also thank you. Some people just don't realize how loud the music is or that they are distracting others who have no desire to feel their heads up with music not by their choice.
I can tolerate some loud music but not at night club levels...I'm also crochety like that.
I always enjoy concerts, and the live music being performed. But loud music in the wrong place gives a sense of chaos. I'd be uncomfortable in a medical environment like that with the music, and might've left, not trusting the techs to focus with it blaring. Sorry you couldn't relax :(
I haven't had an issue with loud music, but I am bothered by things that are a distraction to what I'm trying to focus on -- i.e . someone talking while I'm trying to watch a movie, someone interrupting me when I'm on the phone, someone constantly clearing their throat or snorting in their nose during a speech/lecture/sermon. Maybe I"m just persnickety, or maybe I'm just getting older, too!
ANITA - I have one teen and two tweens. So far, everyone knows that "Mommy's nerves" can't take it. :)
CHOCOLATE - Yeah, you're right - I'm sure there was at least one other person there that felt like I did and would have benefited from me asking to have it turned down.
JOANNE - They worked like they could do the job blindfolded, so I trusted them...but, if the blood was going into me instead of being taken out...that's another story. :)
The music was not so loud that we couldn't speak at a normal level, but it still felt much too loud for me. THANKS EVERYONE for your sympathy. :)
The loud music bothers me more now than when I was younger, how good of you to donate blood. Have a great weekend Anita,
.......;-) Hugs
I used to work in a night club with really loud music, and was OK with that. But I have always disliked background music. At home we don't listen to music, just make our own.
Yes, loud music drives me CRAZY in public places. I must admit when I'm rocking out to Annie Lennox or Cold Play when I'm doin' the housework here alone at home is another matter, haha! But to go out for a nice dinner where the 'background' music is so intrusive it's almost impossible to hear Dear Hubby or whoever speak? Or to go into a little book store where I'd like to browse in peace and I find myself singing "Mr. Bojangles" along with the Oldies Goldies on the radio?? Fuhgeddaboutit!!! THAT is beyond annoying.
There are times when loud music bothers me and times when it doesn't. It depends largely on what I'm doing.
I would think that under the circumstances, it would have been okay to ask them to turn the music down.
How disappointing to go to a place you want quiet and find loud music. I don't like loud music unless I am dancing!!
I am grateful that my daughter has never subjected me to loud music. That's why God gave us headphones! I wish all of my neighbors would use them.
I tagged you.
I'm also a sufferer of tinnitus- and there is no way I would have subjected myself to loud blaring music.I definitely would have asked them to turn it down. But...I would think that commonsense and courtesy to others would have stopped them from playing that music in the first place? It's not even about being "old" it's about thinking about others first before you think of yourself. that's not thinking "old" that's respect.I would definitely talk to the manager or program coordinator or whoever is supposed to be in charge.
I have been target of loud music (better say noise with rhythm) for a long time now and may be somewhere I stopped complaining. At times the temple nearby plays those religious songs through loud speakers that I get bitchy... also the mosque is nearby and Fridays we have to bear with their sermons for more than an hour...
You have my sympathy
ow yeah.. it bothers me a lot. :[
my lil bro still on his period... sigh-
I love music but hate it when it's so loud it hurts my ears.
I would have said something. But, I'm old and crotchety. In fact, I often meet with a group of friends at a local coffee shop and we have no problem asking the "kids" behind the counter to turn the music down -- if there aren't a lot of patrons around -- and they are always happy to oblige.
I can't imagine our local blood bank playing loud music. I agree, it isn't the place for it and seems very unprofessional.
That seems sort of weird.
I like loud music if I'm on the treadmill or some such, but while donating blood?!?
This is a very timely topic. My 16-year-old just bought some new speakers, and I am now experiencing payback time for what I did to my parents.
I can understand perfectly why this loud music upset you. You were going and looking forward to a lovely quiet peaceful time for yourself. Nothing like doof doof to ruin that!
There is a time and place for loud music. I do like it sometimes. It can be great sometimes. But it can also be a pain in the butt at other times!! :)
I enjoy loud music, but only when I choose the timing, LOL! I'd have had the same reaction as you, ESPECIALLY if I was looking forward to some quiet time with a book.
Loud music does bother me if it's when I'm trying to sleep. If it's in the daytime, I can just tune it out. That being said, I do think Ipods and MP3 players are the best invention they've come up with in a long time because it saves us parents of teens the aggravation of having to constantly hear their music!!
Oh dear, and I've recently bought a juke box at my age!
Go KEN!
Hi again EVERYONE, After reading more of responses, I am reconsidering the writing of the complaint letter, because I do feel that it was probably annoying to others too.
The last time I donated, it was a large drive in a large building, and I don't recall any music. But this time, in a small trailer, where the sound hits the walls with no where else to go, it couldn't be ignored.
I may have given you all the impression that it was blasting - it wasn't - but definitely too loud. And as some of you mentioned, it wasn't the right place for dance music.
I'm not against loud music, say...like at a concert or in your own home, :) but when you come into it unexpectedly...
Moms of teens, mak'em use those headphones, as some of you suggested - or maybe you'll just rock with them. :)
Thanks JUDY and NAKAMURAS for mentioning tinnitus; not everyone is aware of what it is.
Thank you...LOUD music drives me bonkers. I hate it when a car makes everyone else's car (or my house if it's going down the street) vibrate! Sorry you didn't get your down time...esp. disturbing that you were really looking forward to it
There really is a time and place for everything. Donating blood in a small trailer, in my mind, would not be a proper time to play ZZtop or Van Halen or whatever they were playing, although I enjoy these bands when I'm dancing around my kitchen. You had every right to be annoyed.
I've given blood many, many times and they've always had something relaxing in the background. You must have found a real progressive trailer!
hmm I think it all depends on the atmosphere and the type of music ;)
Ugh, I hate loud music, loud tvs, loud anything....
I don't remember liking it any better when I was younger, except that I tolerated it better!
Hope you are staying warm with all this snow!!
SUZICATE - Yes, that is VERY annoying when someone drives up beside you with the music coming from the megaspeakers; of course you hear them long before they get close to you. It's like wondering where the ambulance is. They'll have hearing issues before long.
DORRAINE Progressive trailer - yes, that's what I was thinking too. :)
IVA - I agree. And with so many types of music and environments...thie bloodmobile is the first time it's been an issure there. First time for everything, isn't it. :)
SHARON - I'm with you - don't like loud volume on the TV either. It seems like an invasion, as if it's saying, "YOU are going to listen to ME!" The price of living in a house with four other people, but most of the time I win. :)
Sorry to hear that more big snow is coming your way. We may get a couple inches. Let's hope the forcast is wrong. :)
I like loud music in concert and sometimes in my car.But not every where or any time. Lol,it might be annoying.
I love loud music when Im driving alone or cleaning..or just listening....but only if its MY music..not someone elses...but when someone is around I cant concentrate or carry on a conversation...but I wouldnt like it while giving blood at all..no way..or at ant time when I need to hear other things..
Like Robin, I like loud music when I want to listen to loud music. I never liked concerts where the music was so loud it made your ears ring after the concert was over.
A few years I recall going to a dentist where loud thumping hip-hop was playing. For me, the dentist is a traumatic experience and I go in there tense and on edge. I needed something to relax me like cool jazz, new age, or preferably classical music. After my visit I filled out a survey about my visit and mentioned the music. I don't know how much influence I had, but on the next visit they had changed the music station to some softer rock hits --it was a little better.
Hi Anita, I get this completely. Loud music when you are trying to enjoy a dinner or even have a drink with someone can be so annoying.
I understand that the technicians might like the music but I'm with you, this is the wrong setting for loud blaring music, I wouldn't have said anything either though, probably just made a note to myself to pack a pair of earplugs next time Lol!
I'm generally okay with it, but it does depend on where the loud music is being played.
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