Letter: Suppression of splendid noise

Sir: How do other Independent readers feel about piped music? It is, I am usually told when registering my objection to having to shout above the noise, provided in response to the wishes of 'customers' who have been regularly polled about such matters. So am I being curmudgeonly in not accepting the wishes of my fellow citizens or do other people share my dislike?

In pubs, restaurants, shops, hotels, and even for heaven's sake in railway stations, which used to have their own range of splendid noises, we are aurally abused by homogenised rock and Vivaldi.

What's wrong with the sounds of voices, railway trains, doors banging, traffic and all the varied sounds of human daily life?

Yours sincerely,

MARGARET CAREY

Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex

9 November