Hey, I’m interested in tips/recommendations for improving my shopping experience when going into stores that have loud music playing. I don’t want to be unaware of my surroundings by not being able to hear at all, but the obnoxious levels to which many stores blast their (objectionably atrocious) music (as well as other loud/constant noise that is happening) is almost unbearable to me and really makes me not be able to think straight when I’m in the store. I’ve got my own task list and agenda, and when I can’t think about things clearly it really slows down my whole process.
I’m wondering if any of those decibel reducer ear plugs would be a viable option? I feel like I’ve seen those recommended a few times.
I’ve experimented by wearing noise cancelling earbuds before, which kind of worked, but this presented some level of unawareness that I didn’t like and also seems kind of rude in a way? There’s got to be a better solution.
Thanks for reading.
Don’t know if this is a regional thing, but many of the supermarkets here have a specific time to visit where they turn off all music, announcements, and checkout beeps - e.g. Saturday 9am to 10am for Morrisons.
My Safeway did this in the months before it closed. I rarely was up that early, but once I got to try it out, I had no idea how much I was putting up with until then, it was wonderful. Haven’t been able to do that again since though. 😭
That sounds nice.
I’m sure certain places have that here as well. My issue is that I would never be able to limit myself to only shopping at those times. I’m not even in one place long enough to get to know what those times would be, as I’m a traveler for work.
I just ordered some noise isolation earbuds though, so we’ll see how good they are. Thanks for the comment.