As a general rule, background music doesn't really bother me and I don't think that the owner of an establishment should be criticissed for playing music he/she likes. I can appreciate that background music can form part of the experience of going out for a meal, etc. but as with the food itself, if you don't like it, you are better off going elsewhere.

Music in supermarkets has been mentioned and I find that slightly more worrying as I believe that music is used to some degree to control the flow of customers - you want the customers lingering and lookimg around, play something slow - you want them out because the store is going to close, play something quick... at least that's the theory.

Jon