I've done probably hundreds of shops which ask if the background music was inappropriate. I've never answered "yes" until tonight. I was at a wing place and they were blaring Salt N Peppa's "Let's Talk About S*x." The televisions were on mute, and it was a small location with no other noise except this song. Oh, and we were seated right underneath the speaker. My 8 year old daughter was with me, and she said "Mom, this song is really bad" and stuck her fingers in her ears in between eating.

Awkward.

I bet the management will be VERY interested to know what music tastes some of their employees have.

I did an H&M shop where they were playing smut music and really bad rap. It kept telling me to f@#@ this, bleep that and well you get the picture. All of the tourist, no not NY, were looking at the ceiling and several 50 year olds walked out disgusted.

I once commented on the inappropriate music at the Chipotle right around the corner from my home. My family visits frequently, not always as a shop. The music was changed by my next visit and has remained appropriate since then. Sometimes the clients read and listen.

There was some garbage music playing in a Hallmark store of all places. They had some radio station playing so I drifted over underneath a speaker to look at greeting cards and was able to get the station call letters and DJ name for my report. When I returned to the store the next time they were playing Frank Sinatra CD's instead.

I was in a First Choice one day and they had "Scream and Shout" playing.. You know the part where they say, "William and Britney b****!" Very appropriate song for children...

There is nothing wrong with the word sex. It is not a dirty word. And the lyrics to that Salt 'n' Pepa song talk a lot about strong women providing for their families. I am more offended by the songs that glorify beating up and raping women and shooting cops.

Don't chain stores provide the music via satellite for all their locations? Btw, I think Whole Paychecks has the best music if all the stores.

You can't possibly think that song is appropriate for an establishment to play. You would want your 8 year old child hearing that? You may have a positive spin on the song and that's fine for your personal taste. But a business needs to be more discerning. Its not like there is a lack of other songs to play.

Worst one I heard was "Riding that train High on Cocaine" in a convenience store. By the looks of it the clerk was.

It's so appropriate for kids! Every place that has services for kids should play it!!!


roxy1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You can't possibly think that song is appropriate
> for an establishment to play. You would want your
> 8 year old child hearing that? You may have a
> positive spin on the song and that's fine for your
> personal taste. But a business needs to be more
> discerning. Its not like there is a lack of other
> songs to play.

Just curios, what restaurant was it?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/2014 03:04PM by Phx602.

Got to listen to "Let It Go" this morning at my breakfast shop, does that count? LOL

I would consider any Christmas music to be inappropriate in November. I don't care if there is snow on the ground.

I was at a Wingstop in a very urban part of town and they were blaring country music. On my prior visits they had always been playing classic rock. I commented on the country music in my report. It was back to classic rock the next time I was there.

Being a DJ for 50 years I remember when "MY BOY LOLLIPOP" and "I Found my Thrill on Blueberry hill" were suggestive. Those parents who objected to such lyrics did absolutely nothing to stop the evolution of lyrics. The "F" word and "N"word will still get a FCC fine on radio.

As a mobile DJ I played by request. I was mindful of the fact I had different generations with different musical requests that had to be entertained. I do not own music that glorifies cop killing or abuse of any culture.

At one wedding the ladies in the bridal party asked for something by Madonna for the bride who loved Madonna. I suggested “Papa Don't Preach” after the laughter died down after five minutes the bridal party told me why they were laughing. The Papa said nothing when the couple got married but there was a baby coming and he insisted (preached) he wanted a church wedding. I did not play “Papa Don't Preach”.

Another bride asked for classical music. I was playing in one of the finest country clubs. The classical music was very appropriate for the venue that included elaborate chandeliers and fine drapes and woodwork. The room looked nothing like a barn.

I played as requested until her guests came up to the table and asked when I was going to play “real music” they could dance to. They looked like they were ready to hang me from one of the elaborate chandlers in that ballroom. I told them to see the bride. The Bride came up and told me to play by request as I hinted during our meetings prior to the event.

The ladies took off their shoes The guys took off their jackets and ties. You had to see people in tuxedos and ball gowns turn the event into a “hoedown”. It was like a scene from the Beverly Hillbillies. The bride was out on the dance floor dancing to country music with everyone.

I asked the bride about the classical music. She said she and her friends enjoyed country music but it was a wedding she thought classical music might be more appropriate. She did not think her guests would enjoy country music at her wedding. Her guests saved the day and made it a celebration.

I do not argue with clients who think they know what their guests want. I just suggest that the guests have a choice as it is their party also. I mix it up so everyone gets a chance to dance and a chance to rest between dances. I throw in cutting the cake, tossing the bouquet, father and mother dances, etc only if requested. If someone has a strange and/or family custom I do not refuse to announce it. I get the bride or groom's permission to let “uncle Harry” sing. I am very accommodating.

I was to a wing place and the music was very urban and inappropriate. I just ate and left without commenting on the music as I did not wish to be “noticeable”. Would I go back? The wings were good and free. YUP!

Sybil2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is nothing wrong with the word sex. It is
> not a dirty word. And the lyrics to that Salt 'n'
> Pepa song talk a lot about strong women providing
> for their families. I am more offended by the
> songs that glorify beating up and raping women and
> shooting cops.


Really, Sybil? I'm not a prude, but when a song specifically mentions the word "s*x" at least 20 times in a family restaurant, I find that inappropriate. Here' s just a sampling of the lyricis:

"There ain't a man alive that she couldn't get next to
She had it all in the bag so she should have been glad

But she was mad and sad and feelin' bad
Thinkin' about the things that she never had
No love, just sex, followed next with a check and a note
That last night was dope."

I agree, definitely not appropriate. I actually loved that song when it first came out in the early 90s and knew every word. However, I would not like sitting with my 9 & 13 year old sons at the dinner table with that playing. There is a time and a place, and family establishments should not be playing anything that their paying customers would find offensive. It's hard enough to keep loyal customers coming back, and inappropriate music would be enough to make me not go back again.

I am not naïve to what my children hear at school, but I can't control that. We don't use inappropriate language around our children, and that I CAN control.

What happened to Muzak?

(heart)

[m.fastcompany.com]

I guess I am finally a hipster because that Salt n Pepa song wouldn't have made me bat an eyelash.

pony123lucy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I guess I am finally a hipster because that Salt n
> Pepa song wouldn't have made me bat an eyelash.


I agree. I don't find it offensive. Everything now has to be so p.c. Perhaps a place like Chuck E. Cheese or other pizza joints would be more child friendly. Most wings and burger joints are also sports bars and intended for a little older crowd who will gladly spend extra bucks. Songs like "We Are The World" just don't cut it in such restos. Another option would be to play "family friendly" music until say 7:00 p.m. and then play music which appeals to an older crowd after that.

bestofbothworlds Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> pony123lucy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I guess I am finally a hipster because that Salt
> n
> > Pepa song wouldn't have made me bat an eyelash.
>
>
> I agree. I don't find it offensive. Everything
> now has to be so p.c. Perhaps a place like Chuck
> E. Cheese or other pizza joints would be more
> child friendly. Most wings and burger joints are
> also sports bars and intended for a little older
> crowd who will gladly spend extra bucks. Songs
> like "We Are The World" just don't cut it in such
> restos. Another option would be to play "family
> friendly" music until say 7:00 p.m. and then play
> music which appeals to an older crowd after that.


This was a Wingstop, not a B-Dubs. No alcohol is served, just soda pop and lemonade. In fact, when I was there, 2 other tables were occupied, both with children. And like I said, the music volume was loud. Loud enough for my daughter, who never even pays attention to background music, to cringe, comment and stick her fingers in her ears.

Soda and lemonade only? Then I agree, Phoebe, the music should have been more appropriate.

bestofbothworlds Wrote:

> I agree. I don't find it offensive. Everything
> now has to be so p.c. Perhaps a place like Chuck
> E. Cheese or other pizza joints would be more
> child friendly.

What i can;'t believe is that Chuck E Cheese sells alcohol. I used to work for place that bought an old CEC and still had the games and pizza, no alcohol was served and the sales were good. But the strip mall tore it down to expand a different store.

yawarakai Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> bestofbothworlds Wrote:
>
> > I agree. I don't find it offensive.
> Everything
> > now has to be so p.c. Perhaps a place like
> Chuck
> > E. Cheese or other pizza joints would be more
> > child friendly.
>
> What i can;'t believe is that Chuck E Cheese sells
> alcohol. I used to work for place ver that bought an
> old CEC and still had the games and pizza, no
> alcohol was served and the sales were good. But
> the strip mall tore it down to expand a different
> store.

You'll get over it!

roxy1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You can't possibly think that song is appropriate
> for an establishment to play. You would want your
> 8 year old child hearing that? You may have a
> positive spin on the song and that's fine for your
> personal taste. But a business needs to be more
> discerning. Its not like there is a lack of other
> songs to play.

The OP said that this is a wing place. Many wing places have bars and/or serve alcohol. Is that appropriate for an 8-year-old?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2014 01:31PM by Sybil2.

Sybil2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > The OP said that this is a wing place. Many wing
> places have bars and/or serve alcohol. Is that
> appropriate for an 8-year-old?


Sybil, please read ALL my comments before telling me what type of parent I am. It was a Wingstop, WHICH IS A FAMILY ESTABLISHMENT THAT DOES NOT SERVE ALCOHOL!!!! And yes, I purposely typed in all caps so it sounds like I'm yelling. IT IS NOT A BAR. So , yeah, I have no problem taking my 8 year old. Jeez.

The Wingstop near me has beer.

I would have no problem taking my theoretical 8 year old to a place that had a bar and alcohol. Like Applebees, Chili's etc.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2014 01:18PM by pony123lucy.