Should Christmas songs be banned from restaurants?

@TheHorse (205787)
Walnut Creek, California
December 13, 2016 11:08am CST
I woke up this morning to a fluffy HuffPost article about a restaurant in Florida that was playing Christmas music in the background. Someone wrote a note complaining about the Christmas music, and asking for more neutral "Holiday music." Of course, the note "went viral," and now many people are visiting the restaurant to show support for their use of Christmas music. My cynical side wonders if the note was written by an ally of the restaurant, to give the place some publicity, or if the story is even "fake news," put out there so people can write indignant comments and show their support for good old Christianity. But Maybe it's real. Are you offended by religious music that represents a religion that is not your own? I am not.
This time of the year, pretty much every business is playing holiday music which includes Christmas themed songs.
28 people like this
31 responses
13 Dec 16
Being easily offended and attention happy seems to be a trend now a days. I hate it. I think that people are being willfully stupid and intolerant. I think they should play what ever the hell they want in that restaurant, and if some namby pamby little whiny pants doesn't like it, then they should never leave their house or go online ever again to avoid the horrible pain of being offended.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
I would send them off on a hike, but they might be offended that red tailed hawks actually do eat ground squirrels.
1 person likes this
@CinnamonGrl (7083)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
13 Dec 16
No, I don't care what music they chose to play. I suppose if I didn't like the music instead of complaining I'd just be somewhere else. I too wonder if the story's fake.
3 people like this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
13 Dec 16
@TheHorse Panties in a wad? Have you a hidden secret...?
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
14 Dec 16
@TheHorse Ah, a dark horse, eh?
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
@pgntwo Many are the dark secrets in the soul of an intelligent horse pretending to be human.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
13 Dec 16
To me the quality of the music is more important than the subject.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
14 Dec 16
@TheHorse It is better than rap music at least.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
I agree with that. But if it's a dinner club, I wouldn't want it too loud.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
@Asylum Anything is better than rap "music."
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
13 Dec 16
Restaurants could do with less canned ambience generally, is my opinion... Now in the supermarket, well, music helps make light work of an arduous, onerous and oft thankless task... at Christmastime, why shouldn't some christmassy stuff be played as you trudge down the aisles avoiding the shelf-stackers' carts with your wonky-wheeled trolley (shopping cart)...? So long as it is audible, clear, and not deafening.
2 people like this
• United States
14 Dec 16
@TheHorse I disagree her or Taylor Swiftless would make me leave the store in a heartbeat.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
@AbbyGreenhill Heh heh. I actually like that Justin Bieber song Love Yourself. It was on the "kiddie rap" station a year or so ago and wasn't that bad. One of my kid clients turned me on to that station. I've actually heard a couple of Taylor Swift songs and couldn't help but wonder why she's "famous." I had to go listen to some Alison Krauss just to maintain my sanity. It didn't work.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
I'm pretty focused in supermarkets. They could be playing Britney Spears and I wouldn't care, as long as I get out of there in a timely fashion.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
13 Dec 16
If you don't care for the music, I'm sure there are other places to eat...like at home. Maybe I don't care for some genre of music...I just don't listen. Unless the music is loud, I often tune it out.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
If it's too loud for me to talk, and I want to talk (or listen), I leave.
@Kandae11 (53679)
13 Dec 16
Could be that person was offended for reasons other than religious . Who knows if Christmas time brings back some very bad memories for him?
3 people like this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Dec 16
The Holidays can bring back sad memories (mostly of those who are no longer with us) for many of us. But that wouldn't be a reason to write a note complaining about Christmas-themed music, would it?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
@Kandae11 Maybe we'll find out who it was and what his or her reasoning was. Then again, maybe not.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53679)
13 Dec 16
@TheHorse Who knows how traumatized he may be.
3 people like this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
13 Dec 16
I caught a brief glimpse of this story on the national news this morning. It does not offend me. I think it is silly what people complain over these days.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
18 Dec 16
@TheHorse When I really think about it, I rarely notice the music because I am always too busy wrangling the kids.
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
Maybe if I were a college student, I'd complain that political correctness makes me uncomfortable, because it gets in the way or learning, and demand that it cease.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81538)
• Onaway, Michigan
13 Dec 16
I am not offended by religious music that represents a religion even if it is not my own.
2 people like this
@Tina30219 (81538)
• Onaway, Michigan
14 Dec 16
@TheHorse They sure do.
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
All (true) religions have a common message.
• United States
13 Dec 16
I'm not offended, but to prevent any drama ~ I'd think holiday neutral songs would be appropriate. .
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Dec 16
I don't think we should live in fear of drama.
2 people like this
• United States
13 Dec 16
@TheHorse It happens especially random people suing people for this/that. I think a lot of shops will consider playing neutral music or just the melody only. I don't have a problem with it because I don't pay attention. I need music running in the background but I don't remember a song lyric besides the obvious 'happy birthday' if that's counted
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
@infatuatedbby I love Silent Night because it is sincere and reverent. Even my Jewish half loves it.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12599)
• Ireland
13 Dec 16
@thehorse Anything is better than brash, jingly, happy music in restaurants. I prefer to eat quietly. Bland, cheap music tends to render the food tasteless too.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
There's plenty of that kind of music out there.
1 person likes this
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
14 Dec 16
Its the aggressive thinking that gives more meaning to Xmas . Enjoy the happiness of the season more than the religion.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
I'm OK with the happiness of the season. I'm also OK with the fact that it celebrates a beautiful story, whether it be historical fact or...a beautiful story.
1 person likes this
@shshiju (10342)
• Cochin, India
14 Dec 16
@TheHorse yes that's it Jesus is Love more than religion.
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Dec 16
II'm an atheist and don't mind Christmas music, but it does get old after awhile.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
I think my mind kind of blocks it out after awhile. Unless it's really good rendition of a tune I like.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Dec 16
@TheHorse - If it was Miles Davis playing Christmas songs, I'd listen all day!
• Agra, India
13 Dec 16
Everyone has his own likes and dislikes and the very right to speak..if way of speaking is correct I dont find anything wrong with it..
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
If I were the restaurant owner, I would not yield.
1 person likes this
• Agra, India
14 Dec 16
@TheHorse everyone has his own outlook
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
@amitkokiladitya Would you stop playing music that was meaningful to you (or to sales) if one customer complained?
14 Dec 16
For me, I will not get offended. Everyone has it's own religion, own beliefs. We have to respect each other beliefs. Maybe, that restaurant, or the owner itself, is a Christian, so as expected, they would play Christmas music. So, that customer might not be a fan of Christmas music, or maybe do not believe Christmas, then maybe the best thing he must do is to find another restaurant that suits his mood and beliefs as well.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
The owner could have just been doing to lift sales as well.
1 person likes this
14 Dec 16
@TheHorse Yeah, but if that is possible, I don't think it's a good idea.
• Grand Junction, Colorado
13 Dec 16
Everyone is offended by something these days. It has gotten to out of hand, if a person is offended by the music then they shouldn't dine there. In fact, they probably should just stay home until after the first of the year. I currently am at work, and the only station playing Christmas music continuously is a Christian radio station. The music is Religious but for me that is Christmas. I only see a few people at my work most days, except for Tuesday's, they tend to be my busiest day of the week. I shouldn't have to worry about the music I play at work at this time of the year.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
I hear mostly Hindi music around me, since most of my neighbors are Indian. I see it as a learning opportunity.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
14 Dec 16
Not offended.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
Me neither.
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
13 Dec 16
it's just music, you dont like it, you can leave. I wouldnt go to church myself. but I get to hear religious holiday songs all of the time, I don't care! It's not like I am being forced to be there. Now at a city courthouse, might be inappropriate, or at least with words it would be, instrutmental is whatever.
1 person likes this
• Centralia, Missouri
15 Dec 16
@TheHorse the organs are pretty lovely lol, as are old church buildings.
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
I love churches. And church organs. .
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Dec 16
i reckon we need to start trackin' all these folks 'n when that trip to mars 'tis fully planned, load 'em'p 'long with the 'others' 'n send 'em'n their way. that customer t'weren't truly offended 'r they'd walked right out the door 'n found 'em 'nother place to dine. one that played heavy metal...'r forbade speakin' beyond e'en a hint 'f a whisper.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
Worse than Mars, send 'em to a Hip Hop club.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246896)
• United States
13 Dec 16
I'm Jewish and don't mind it one bit.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
I agree with you entirely.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec 16
I might like or not like particular music but I'd be really unlikely to complain about it.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205787)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Dec 16
Each restaurant tries to create its own "vibe." If I really didn't like that vibe, I'd leave.
1 person likes this