This is one of my most peevy pet peeves. I've tried different approaches to the management..the one that works best is: "Would you please turn that racket down while I'm here"? sometimes I add, "It is not soothing to me..it is an intolerable annoyance, and it makes me want to break things or, hurt someone." They will turn it down if you ask. Usually. I had dinner at Jeds Restaurant in Belfast last Saturday. The only one in the dining room, silence. I thought, "Great, a quiet dinner." Next thing I knew there was a loudmouth waitress going full speed, saying nothing. That was bad enough, but, the manager turned up the radio. Jazz and commercials. I complained, but, he was locked into this robotic thinking. I paid and was leaving, he asked how everything was, and, I told him, "Fine except for the muzak" I dont (like jazz) He said "Everyone has to have music." I asked "Why"? he looked at me with a blank look and I left. Where the hell do they get the right to force their lousy taste in music on me? My favorite restaurant has muzak, that screeching kind. In spite of requests to turn it down, they are too locked in, so, I take my walkman with me. I've reached the age where I will not put up with that kind of crap. Well, you said, rant