Ban on venue background music a blessing for people without brilliant hearing
I am writing in response to Brian Ferguson’s article on “Auntie Flo” and the current government ban on background music in restaurants, pubs and cafes ( The Scotsman, 4 September).
While I f ully sympathise with the loss of revenue that businesses are suffering due to the Covid virus, I just wonder if people like Brian d’souza have ever considered the “devastating” effect background music can have on many customers such as myself? I have a moderate to profound hearing loss and the noise of background music, coupled with the general noises found in these venues, makes it very, very difficult for me, and many like me, to participate fully in the social aspect of a night out with family or friends.
I have to say, therefore, that I welcomed the decision of the government to ban background music, not just because they say that transmission of the virus will be less likely, but also because I am now able to enjoy the company and conversation of the group.
I s hould pr obably p oi nt out that I am not anti music, but I do believe that choice of music is personal and it is best enjoyed either at home, through headphones, or at a music gig where it does not disturb – or indeed disadvantage – other people.
GRACE WILSON
Orr Terrace, Neilston
I don’t think people are avoiding pub sand restaurants because they aren’t playing music. I do think, though, that they’ve discovered during lockdown how much they prefer eating and drinking at home at a mere fraction of the cost – and no unwanted back
ground music to cope with.
HELEN ROWLES
Orrock Drive, Burntisland
As a keen amateur musician I sympathise with the problems that professional musicians have in surviving lockdown, and the absence of live gigs.
And as a keen amateur musician ( with some of the hearing problems of the old), I absolutely loathe having unwanted music “force- fed” to my ears
– any music is as demanding as a conversation, and I cannot carry on a sensible conversation with one person, if another is shouting in my ear at much the same volume!
One of the major factors that determine whether I use a particular restaurant – second only to the food quality – is the degree of “background noise” in the foreground.
PETER VERITY
Scotland Street, Edinburgh