Country Music in Public Businesses

I was in a Subway yesterday having lunch. I don't normally eat in the restaurant, unless I'm with my family. But, my classroom was in flux and I had no place to sit and eat, so I ordered my sandwich "for here". Mistake.

This particular Subway was playing a country music station (The Wolf) throughout its tiny establishment. I grimaced painfully when I realized I would have to listen to a man singing about wishing he had something to do with his hands. I'm not making this up. I almost left. I fought the urge to flee and instead just ate faster than I planned, which I suppose did force me to get back to work quicker. But, I was still pissed.

As you might guess, I don't like country music. At all. I'm not alone in this opinion, which brings me to my point. Why play a genre of music in your place of business that you know a large percentage of the public despise? People are not simply annoyed by country music, or find it mildly irritating. No, people literally despise it.

Of course, the other half of the population people love country music. I have friends and family who love it. More power to them. I don't understand their fascination. It mystifies me, quite frankly. But, to each their own.

Don't get me wrong. There are talented country singers out there, and quite a few of them have crossed over to our realm, Taylor Swift being the first that pops into mind. Honestly, she impresses me for two reasons. First, I always respect an artist, especially one as young as she is, when he/she writes their own music and lyrics. That shows true talent, country or otherwise. Second, anyone who can annoy and embarrass a notorious womanizer like John Mayer earns my admiration. Talent notwithstanding, it doesn't mean I want to hear anyone, Taylor Swift or not, twanging in my ear when I'm eating a tuna on wheat.

Obviously, the owner and/or manager of the Marysville Subway enjoys country music. I could care less. But, why risk annoying half the paying customers who walk in your door? It's the same reason no one plays opera music inside an Abercrombie and Fitch. People would drop their $64 hoodies, $32 t-shirts, and $197 jeans and run for the nearest Kohl's (where, apparently, they could save $237 while spending $43. But, that's a topic for another day.) They wouldn't even notice the wall size photos of naked people advertising clothes they aren't wearing. It would be anarchy. 

There are people who pay hundreds of dollars to sit in formal attire and listen to very large people singing in Italian at a decibel level that would shatter Mr. Kool-aid from fifty yards. Whatever floats their boat. But, most people would pay the same amount of coin to not hear that music. Ever. Most business owners realize this fact and don't play it within the walls of their establishment. 

Why aren't the same decisions being made for country music? I realize more people like country music than opera. It doesn't matter. Large segments of the population hate both; they should not be played in public, especially when there's food involved. Personally, I would be scared to play those kinds of music, simply for the cleanliness of my restaurant and my own safety. 

People get pissed when they hear music they don't like. When people get pissed, they throw things. When they throw things, damage is done and insurance rates go up. When insurance rates go up, so do merchandise prices. When prices go up, people go elsewhere. When people go elsewhere, businesses close. Don't let your business close. Don't play country music in your public establishment.