Noise noise noise today it seems that there is no escape from noise. Those of you who have read my blog will know that I complain bitterly about noise. Superfluous noise is the bane of my life. Here in the UK it seems to be spreading like a virulent disease, there is no sanctuary and no respite or peace from the relentless intrusion of noise. I am particularly disturbed by the noise of machinery and music, and I use the word music very loosely here as most of the mindless racket which emanates from just about every public building is in my option anything but music. At one time the only place you would get to hear music was at a concert, a disco, a nightclub and perhaps occasionally in a trendy fashion shop. 

Now you cannot enter any public building without your senses being assaulted with the blare of music; it is not simply in the background. Our local supermarket is more like a disco than a shopping facility. The screeching of some popular singer and the constant interruption of advertising and colleague announcements makes shopping a nightmare from some hell realm for those of us who are sensitive to loud intrusive music. I do not give a dam if the oranges are on special offer at the front of the store, or so and so shampoo is priced at two for three, or that Mrs smith is required to come to customer services as a customer is waiting; all I want is peace to do my shopping.

I do not want to be greeted by loud classical music when calling in at the CAB ( citizens advice bureau) for help and advice, particularly if my problem is causing me stress or is of a sensitive nature. I do not want to be distracted by music in a bookshop when I need to concentrate to select a book. I certainly do not want loud music in the chemist when filling my prescription; I am certainly not interested in what's on offer in other parts of the store all I want is to get my prescription filled and return home. Well wouldn't you if you where ill. How can I speak with the pharmacist for advice about my medication to address issues of concern accompanied by a screeching pop singer in the background.

I cannot walk into such places without becoming agitated, stressed out and angry, my concentration disserts me and my ability to cope takes a down turn.

A decade ago I cannot imagine what would have been said had there been the drone of a radio in the doctor's waiting room, or in a nurses or a dentist's consulting room. In hospital a couple of decades ago you would have to have gone into the patient’s lounge to listen to TV if there was indeed a TV to listen to. A couple of years ago  when my brother-in-law was seriously ill in hospital in a four patient ward the TV was switched on all day, most of the patients could not see it but the drone continued hour after hour. Whenever you go to an outpatient’s clinic instead of the coffee table and magazines there is the babble of a TV.

Please Please all I want is some peace. Not everyone wishes to be inundated with the constant babble of TVs, radios and stereo systems everywhere they go,  there are appropriate places for such entertainment, public facilities such as shops, hospitals waiting rooms, offices conducting business- the HSBC bank has music now - are not among them.

If the day arrives when there is music in the library well than I will most certainly complain. Perhaps you cannot imagine that happening, but I could not imagine it happening in a quality book shop such as Boarders, yet it does, there is background music of, in my opinion, an intrusive nature in this particular store. Libraries are in any case not the quiet places they once were the background babble can be significant at times. When I was a child you would never consider speaking in a library, and would immutably be met with a ssshhhhhh if you did so.  Now everyone natters away there is no attempt whatsoever to maintain an environment of quiet conducive to those wishing to study.