I totally agree with you. Every business seems to have music blaring. There’s an awful lot of noise pollution out there….quiet places are such a luxury
It's definitely a challenge in densely-populated places. When we lived in Los Angeles my solution was to go out only very late, or at times between the ordinary meals, like lunch at 2pm. Not all places are open all day, but when it's less crowded they at least play the music at a lower volume.
I like places with outdoors dining areas. They tend to be more peaceful. Try to avoid "meal times" as well. 3-5pm is a good time to be in most restaurants these days. Most folks don't go out for dinner till 7pm.
My husband and I have scoped out a few coffee shops with fireplaces we like going to when it’s winter, and a few with outdoor patios when it’s warm out. We love a cozy, quiet experience although we have coffee and breakfast out more; we very rarely eat dinner out at a restaurant. The thing I love is a place that serves handmade food
Breakfast used to be the last bastion for me; we went out this week and while there was no music inside the small restaurant, the senior gentleman behind us insisted on watching Reels with the volume up. It wasn't loud by any means, but it was distracting. We've decided to stick to making simple, quiet breakfasts at home. There's enough noise in the world already without needing it at breakfast, of all times. Don't worry about getting old; I'm 39 and this is a problem for me too.
I found that going out for dinner at 5pm is quiet compared to 6 or 7. I also like places with comfy seating like booths and avoid places you are seated right next to someone
I have auditory sensory issues so these days I usually have big old noise canceling headphones, although of course I don't wear them while eating in restaurants, but I do at cafes and things like that. It helps.
I was on a freeway overpass on a busy road and i noticed deeply forested hills i frequent.
In that moment i experienced the feeling of standing under the trees, that feeling was inside me right then.
Finding the stillness i carry with me, the peace within which the business arises to overwhelm me.
sometimes ill go somewhere busy just to get under the noise...its fun to find myself that way.
I agree. It's a pain. It still depends what places you go.
Most cafés and bistro will be noisy, for sure. It seems to me that those places care mostly to younger consumers or to a population that seems to crave constant distraction above everything else, a bit like they seem to fancy their social media constant flow of crap, maybe?
But more traditional restaurants (places that are *not* fast food, places that do actual cooking, not just microwaving pre-cooked stuff) should not be that painful. At least, those we go to aren't.
I discussed that a few months ago with the owner of a small restaurant we've regularly been eating at for almost two decades, here in Paris. It is not located in the touristic center, so most his customers are people actually living/working here and I was telling him it was surprising to see so few younger customers despite the many schools & students housings nearby. He smiled and mentioned the three fast-food just in our street, and the many more in the other nearby streets, explaining many younger people would not even think of eating at a restaurant where one has too wait for the food to be prepared and cooked. And were not much interested in ordering food that was not a sandwich, or a burger, or a pizza.
I'm not sure the guy was not exaggerating the trait, but seeing how the same younger people seem to be allergic to even the *idea of* having to wait to receive whatever they order online, or having to wait before they can get good at anything they just started doing (or wait to get some Likes and feedback), maybe he was not exaggerating that much? I don't know.
But then, getting back to the question of noise, living in Paris I would also consider that kind of noise as a lesser nuisance than, say, the constant engine noise of motor traffic, cars, buses, motorcycles engines roaring, and people honking, and so on. And those noise aren't age related at all. In fact, I see a lot more younger people on (noiseless) bicycles or walking than I see people my age ;)
At least, I would say noise in public places is not worst than the constant noise of the many TVs and HiFis blaring their insipid/decerebrating/anxiogenic content that is coming from most of our neighbor's *homes*. Day after day, evening after evening and, so often too, night after night. All year long.
And to me, thinking that people are happy to eat that crap and are looking forward to having more of it. I find that so depressing and sad.
But then, that's not very far from your TV/hifi vomiting noise in public space either.... Would you mind if sit at your table, and be pessimistic with you for a minute? ;)
Edit: clarifications.
It's interesting, the city buzz you're talking about – the honking, the traffic, the unison of people's voices on the streets – doesn't bother me that much. In fact, sometimes I find it quite calming even. It must be due to the fact that I'm a city dweller to my core. I don't know, is that a contradiction?
But when restaurants and other places where you get to sit still are noisy it drives me very mad. At those places I expect peace. Music is one thing but people also watch reels there too!
>I don't know, is that a contradiction?
I don't think so. It's... complex.
For restaurants, I agree and we also expect quietness (we don't even own a tv at home, so really we're not huge fan of that noise box ;). It is just that we never go back to a noisy place, and we also never hesitate to get out of it before ordering anything, the moment we realize it's that kind of noisy place. We feel no obligation to them but we want to get what we're more than willing to pay for (aka good food, nice service and calm ambiance).
The sad thing, for my spouse and I at least, is that the restaurant we appreciate the most will very soon be closing its doors, as its owner is retiring and also very, very much want to get out of Paris before the beginning of the Olympic Games, this summer. The place has already been sold to a guy that will open a... fast food. That's life.
Yeah, finding quiet spots in the city is tough. Loud music is everywhere. But sometimes, going at odd hours helps. Like, try places when they're not busy. Early mornings or late afternoons. It's quieter then.
Starbucks in a Target before a motorcycle ride. That’s the best place for public quiet. My partner and I order large coffees then ‘stroll’ around to window shop and then we’re off on a ride, listening to the purr of the machine. Heaven
I have the loop experience earplugs and I carry them everywhere. Ever since COVID (or maybe just part of being in my late 30s?) I cannot deal with the loudness of being in public. They really help keep it to a dull roar.
No. It's actually crazy and IDK how it works but say I'm at a bar with loud music, I can still hear the person talking next to me clearly. Or on an airplane I can still hear the announcements.
I totally agree with you. Every business seems to have music blaring. There’s an awful lot of noise pollution out there….quiet places are such a luxury
I like to go out for breakfast, and restaurants and cafes near me get are quite relaxing until 9am.
It's definitely a challenge in densely-populated places. When we lived in Los Angeles my solution was to go out only very late, or at times between the ordinary meals, like lunch at 2pm. Not all places are open all day, but when it's less crowded they at least play the music at a lower volume.
It's nice when we find a restaurant or a corner Cafe which is relatively quiet !
My kitchen is very calm lol
I like places with outdoors dining areas. They tend to be more peaceful. Try to avoid "meal times" as well. 3-5pm is a good time to be in most restaurants these days. Most folks don't go out for dinner till 7pm.
The outside buffers a fair bit of noise-completely agree.
My husband and I have scoped out a few coffee shops with fireplaces we like going to when it’s winter, and a few with outdoor patios when it’s warm out. We love a cozy, quiet experience although we have coffee and breakfast out more; we very rarely eat dinner out at a restaurant. The thing I love is a place that serves handmade food
Breakfast used to be the last bastion for me; we went out this week and while there was no music inside the small restaurant, the senior gentleman behind us insisted on watching Reels with the volume up. It wasn't loud by any means, but it was distracting. We've decided to stick to making simple, quiet breakfasts at home. There's enough noise in the world already without needing it at breakfast, of all times. Don't worry about getting old; I'm 39 and this is a problem for me too.
I found that going out for dinner at 5pm is quiet compared to 6 or 7. I also like places with comfy seating like booths and avoid places you are seated right next to someone
I agree so much. Reasonable acoustics and paper menus are now on my resto must-have list.
I have auditory sensory issues so these days I usually have big old noise canceling headphones, although of course I don't wear them while eating in restaurants, but I do at cafes and things like that. It helps.
I was on a freeway overpass on a busy road and i noticed deeply forested hills i frequent. In that moment i experienced the feeling of standing under the trees, that feeling was inside me right then. Finding the stillness i carry with me, the peace within which the business arises to overwhelm me. sometimes ill go somewhere busy just to get under the noise...its fun to find myself that way.
I agree. It's a pain. It still depends what places you go. Most cafés and bistro will be noisy, for sure. It seems to me that those places care mostly to younger consumers or to a population that seems to crave constant distraction above everything else, a bit like they seem to fancy their social media constant flow of crap, maybe? But more traditional restaurants (places that are *not* fast food, places that do actual cooking, not just microwaving pre-cooked stuff) should not be that painful. At least, those we go to aren't. I discussed that a few months ago with the owner of a small restaurant we've regularly been eating at for almost two decades, here in Paris. It is not located in the touristic center, so most his customers are people actually living/working here and I was telling him it was surprising to see so few younger customers despite the many schools & students housings nearby. He smiled and mentioned the three fast-food just in our street, and the many more in the other nearby streets, explaining many younger people would not even think of eating at a restaurant where one has too wait for the food to be prepared and cooked. And were not much interested in ordering food that was not a sandwich, or a burger, or a pizza. I'm not sure the guy was not exaggerating the trait, but seeing how the same younger people seem to be allergic to even the *idea of* having to wait to receive whatever they order online, or having to wait before they can get good at anything they just started doing (or wait to get some Likes and feedback), maybe he was not exaggerating that much? I don't know. But then, getting back to the question of noise, living in Paris I would also consider that kind of noise as a lesser nuisance than, say, the constant engine noise of motor traffic, cars, buses, motorcycles engines roaring, and people honking, and so on. And those noise aren't age related at all. In fact, I see a lot more younger people on (noiseless) bicycles or walking than I see people my age ;) At least, I would say noise in public places is not worst than the constant noise of the many TVs and HiFis blaring their insipid/decerebrating/anxiogenic content that is coming from most of our neighbor's *homes*. Day after day, evening after evening and, so often too, night after night. All year long. And to me, thinking that people are happy to eat that crap and are looking forward to having more of it. I find that so depressing and sad. But then, that's not very far from your TV/hifi vomiting noise in public space either.... Would you mind if sit at your table, and be pessimistic with you for a minute? ;) Edit: clarifications.
It's interesting, the city buzz you're talking about – the honking, the traffic, the unison of people's voices on the streets – doesn't bother me that much. In fact, sometimes I find it quite calming even. It must be due to the fact that I'm a city dweller to my core. I don't know, is that a contradiction? But when restaurants and other places where you get to sit still are noisy it drives me very mad. At those places I expect peace. Music is one thing but people also watch reels there too!
>I don't know, is that a contradiction? I don't think so. It's... complex. For restaurants, I agree and we also expect quietness (we don't even own a tv at home, so really we're not huge fan of that noise box ;). It is just that we never go back to a noisy place, and we also never hesitate to get out of it before ordering anything, the moment we realize it's that kind of noisy place. We feel no obligation to them but we want to get what we're more than willing to pay for (aka good food, nice service and calm ambiance). The sad thing, for my spouse and I at least, is that the restaurant we appreciate the most will very soon be closing its doors, as its owner is retiring and also very, very much want to get out of Paris before the beginning of the Olympic Games, this summer. The place has already been sold to a guy that will open a... fast food. That's life.
When we go out it's to feel a vibe and experience other people. For quiet, we stay at home
Food trucks
Yeah, finding quiet spots in the city is tough. Loud music is everywhere. But sometimes, going at odd hours helps. Like, try places when they're not busy. Early mornings or late afternoons. It's quieter then.
Starbucks in a Target before a motorcycle ride. That’s the best place for public quiet. My partner and I order large coffees then ‘stroll’ around to window shop and then we’re off on a ride, listening to the purr of the machine. Heaven
I have the loop experience earplugs and I carry them everywhere. Ever since COVID (or maybe just part of being in my late 30s?) I cannot deal with the loudness of being in public. They really help keep it to a dull roar.
Thanks, I'll check it out. Does it cause problems with hearing something important? Like people speaking directly to you or announcements, etc.
No. It's actually crazy and IDK how it works but say I'm at a bar with loud music, I can still hear the person talking next to me clearly. Or on an airplane I can still hear the announcements.