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Starbucks' music is driving employees nuts

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Re: Starbucks' music is driving employees nuts

#281

Post by nojvek »

jka wrote: post #258
rmason wrote: post #185

They modernized the gas pumps at our local Speedway by adding video players. Instead of news like I've seen in California they play endless commercials and the volume is loud. I remember stopping one time when it was twenty below zero this winter, no one was at the pumps and the same commercial was playing and not a single pump's sound was in sync with another. I felt like I was in a movie about a dystopian future.

It's a form of pollution, really - and a sign that there are a set of perverse incentives which can cause it. Somewhere out there, advertisers are paying dollars for those commercials, and in many cases no-one is listening, or worse - it's causing active irritation to the people who are. If you think of the commercials as oil, and the speaker systems and infrastructure as pipelines, then cases like this where commerc…

I found a mute button behind the screens. I got so mad, I muted every TV thing in the gas station.

Visuals you can look away from. Audio is a form of torture.

I really appreciate Costco gas stations for their no bullshit, pay money, fill gas strategy.

Re: Starbucks' music is driving employees nuts

#282

Post by bobbean »

jameane wrote: post #175

I still have a reaction to the Proclaimers 500 Miles, because my boss at my bookstore job played that virtually every shift. Or Garth Brooks. I go to the bathroom or excuse myself from the room when either comes on.

I really hope you've seen the How I Met Your Mother scene with that song.

https://youtu.be/QYpSniiZhpg

Re: Starbucks' music is driving employees nuts

#284

Post by tdumitrescu »

nojvek wrote: post #281
jka wrote: post #258

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a form of pollution, really - and a sign that there are a set of perverse incentives which can cause it. Somewhere out there, advertisers are paying dollars for those commercials, and in many cases no-one is listening, or worse - it's causing active irritation to the people who are. If you think of the commercials as oil, and the speaker systems and infrastructure as pipelines, then cases like this where commerc…

I found a mute button behind the screens. I got so mad, I muted every TV thing in the gas station. Visuals you can look away from. Audio is a form of torture. I really appreciate Costco gas stations for their no bullshit, pay money, fill gas strategy.

Usually one of the unlabeled buttons on either side of the screen will also mute it. Just press them all until the sound stops.

Re: Starbucks' music is driving employees nuts

#285

Post by hanging »

mgkimsal wrote: post #99

worked at a music store for a couple of years - part time, but the company-provided playlists did grate after a while. upside was it was fairly chart-driven, so you'd generally not get the same things for more than a few weeks in a row. it was mostly just very... popularity driven (of course, they're trying to push new stuff). We did generally have some down time each day which was 'staff choice', but even then they…

That's one thing I miss about record stores like Tower. The music was chosen by workers on shift, a full album side at a time. I discovered some great music that way, including "popular" artists before they were popular.

Re: Starbucks' music is driving employees nuts

#286

Post by hanging »

MiddleEndian wrote: post #51

I wouldn't be surprised if the real goal was to make customers spend less time sitting around. In the last year or two, I've noticed Panera has been playing godawful music that makes it nearly impossible to sit down, relax, and work on something. It works of course, but now I just don't go at all.

Almost every Panera I've been in was poorly run. Poor service and bad, old coffee more often than not.

SF at 4th and King was the lone exception.

Re: Starbucks' music is driving employees nuts

#287

Post by acct1771 »

tdumitrescu wrote: post #284
nojvek wrote: post #281

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I found a mute button behind the screens. I got so mad, I muted every TV thing in the gas station. Visuals you can look away from. Audio is a form of torture. I really appreciate Costco gas stations for their no bullshit, pay money, fill gas strategy.

Usually one of the unlabeled buttons on either side of the screen will also mute it. Just press them all until the sound stops.

I find accidentally pouring a drink into the speaker(s) seems to solve the problem too, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Re: Starbucks' music is driving employees nuts

#288

Post by acct1771 »

Simulacra wrote: post #273
rmason wrote: post #185

They modernized the gas pumps at our local Speedway by adding video players. Instead of news like I've seen in California they play endless commercials and the volume is loud. I remember stopping one time when it was twenty below zero this winter, no one was at the pumps and the same commercial was playing and not a single pump's sound was in sync with another. I felt like I was in a movie about a dystopian future.

I refuse to get gas at places that play advertisements at me. I’m already overpaying for gas, why be greedy?

Would love to hear your personal reasoning you feel you're overpaying for gasoline, in the context of your demand for it.

Re: Starbucks' music is driving employees nuts

#289

Post by krrrh »

TheChaplain wrote: post #215
krrrh wrote: post #209

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don’t see these in Canada but I am always flabberghasted by them while in the US. I noticed that holding my finger over the tiny speaker hole greatly reduced the volume, and I resolved to carry a roll of duct tape with me so I could do some public service next time I had to deal with them.

Don't. Otherwise you'll end up with a visit from law enforcement for tampering with the equipment.

You have no idea how important you are. If you’re reading this, you are the resistance.

Re: Starbucks' music is driving employees nuts

#290

Post by bonestamp2 »

ambicapter wrote: post #253
bonestamp2 wrote: post #188

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> DO NOT CHANGE THE CD IN THIS STEREO Reminds me of working in a big box electronics store during college. One day I answer the phone and the line sounds dead, but I say "hello" a few times and a woman finally acknowledges me and then goes on a long rant about what the world is coming to and she can't believe it. She eventually gets to her relevant question and I answer it. I didn't think too much of it because stran…

Now I want to know what they were listening to.

It was about 20 years ago, I wish I could remember the CD.
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