Music in stores

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I don't know if anyone else has this issue.
The continuous music that is on in a loop in some places, for example: Wal-Mart, bugs and distracts me while I'm trying to concentrate on shopping. Plus, it's hard to hear people over it at times.
I like to have more space in my mind to think than to hear constant music blaring along with all the other noises.

I've asked some places about turning it down or off.
Some comply on turning it down.
Some say, "It's corporate. We don't control it."
A manager told me once, "I'll turn it down, but I was told that people need to hear the ads."

Has anyone else asked this of stores?

I wonder if other parts of the world have the same thing.

I think it's not good to have this sort of thing going on with no say on it except from corporate.

If I can, I go to places without music.
They're are only 2 stores I know of so far that don't.

Yes, it drives me nuts, too. My brain just doesn't seem to be able to ignore it, and it distracts my thinking - not just in stores, but also radios/muzak playing in a workplace, bus depots, cafes, or in friend's homes - I have to ask people to turn music or the TV off/down all the time, otherwise conversation can be impossible. Music is one of my passions, but only when it's the sole focus of my attention.

A few UK stores have started having "autism-friendly" hours, where they turn the music off and use the speakers only for essential announcements. But they're usually no more than corporate virtue-signalling. They're often at times of day which are inconvenient for most people, or they're just a once-a-year publicity stunt for Autism Awareness Week.

From where I lived, yes. I'd bet it's even louder here in comparison. People here generally prefers lively music.
It's generally louder during holidays, especially Christmas and Valentines... Except the late half of the Holy Week. Though it also means most establishments are closed too.

Most particularly in malls and grocery stores.
Then at the bazaars and the public market. It could be worse too -- in some cases, there's outdoor karaokes nearby on top of it.

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I think I would feel less anxious in public if the music was a bit softer. It can make it hard to think or focus properly when I’m in a shopping centre and there are people everywhere I have to try not to walk into and there is a lot to look at. Music makes it worse, even if it’s not so loud that it’s annoying or tiring.

I was thinking about this today. It’s one of the reasons I started wearing ear plugs when I go shopping.

If there is background music playing I'll be trying to hear every lyric and decipher the meaning of the song. In the past I've not been able to concentrate at work because the radio is playing and I feel as if I'm in two places at the same time.

I'm better at ignoring it now but I'm finding the other shoppers as annoying asever, with their lack of spatial awareness, blocking isles etc...