The food is delicious, but my partner and I can’t wait to leave. We can’t hear each other talk over the din of clattering dishes, piped-in music, and patrons screaming at each other to be heard. After leaving this popular Portland restaurant, I vowed to pay more attention to the decibel ratings restaurant critics are starting to include in their articles.
I don’t understand why people enjoy dining at a place that leaves them with a sore throat. Yet restaurant owners say people prefer loud noise when dining, though they may deny it. They claim customers are more likely to return when energized by the atmosphere. They also say it is a good way to turn tables. Some managers increase the volume and speed of their music to have patrons eat and drink faster. If you feel like you are being pushed out of a restaurant by the noise level, you probably are.
Interior decorators recommend unfinished ceilings and uncarpeted floors to save money. Warehouse restaurants are particularly difficult to soundproof, with a finished ceiling costing as much as $50,000. Eliminating tablecloths and wall coverings are cost-cutting measures that also increase decibel levels. More and more restaurants have levels that exceed 80 and damage ears. OUCH!
According to Bon Appetit, besides the rising cost of dining out, the most frequent complaint they receive is noise. I am among the complainers who like being able to talk in a normal voice and not strain to hear. This has led to making earlier reservations than I prefer or to ordering from a takeout menu when I don’t want to cook.
Restaurant noise isn’t a problem when I travel abroad. Not only can I hear what my table-mates say, but I’m never rushed. I feel free to linger over a glass of wine or cup of coffee, not worried that the server has to turn the table over to receive an extra tip. Dining out abroad is civilized and stress-free.
In researching this article, I read that rebellion is in the works. Noise complaints have reached a crescendo, and some restaurateurs are listening. If you are like me and prefer a quieter atmosphere, don’t be afraid to tell your waiter. Change will occur when enough people express themselves. Your complaints may enable me to dine at my favorite restaurant again.
References:
Belluz, J. (2018) Restaurant Noise Levels. VOX. HTTPS://www.VOX.com/2/8/4/18/17168504/restaurants-noise-levels-loud-decibels
website(2024) Reasons why restaurants are so loud, Bon Appetit. https://bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/3-reasons-why-restaurants-are-so-loud
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Lives of Museum Junkies tells what happened when a white paper was written complaining about industry using science museums to promote products. It led to a reevaluation of the purpose of museum education and improved the way displays were constructed to include hands-on devices. If we unite our voices around restaurant design, we can get them to create more relaxed yet fun atmospheres where diners can hear each other while appreciating their food.
Lives of Museum Junkies, second edition is available at Powells Books, on Amazon, KOBO, and Barnes and Noble. It tells of the struggle to fund and start museums with interactive devices that elucidate scientific innovations.
