Observations on Christmas Music (and I got to go to the spa)

[mizarchivist]

Thanks to a well timed Christmas bonus, using up my use-it-or-lose-it vacation/PTO, and deciding I should give myself some pretty time, I went to a great spa/salon outside Davis - L'Elegance. I recommend it entirely. It's very inexpensive, they're very thoughtful....
But.
I've been very very fortunate to have limited exposure to the forced death march that is 24/7 Christmas music that pervades almost all public spaces right now. I also had last night and do carry around my ipod to buffer out a lot of the crap when I'm out there in the world.  I actually asked the woman who I took to be the manager or owner what was the logic behind having that piped in (They always have Magic 106.7 on and so they suffer through the month+ of the Christmas program shift). 
However, I want to know who out there in their right mind believes that their lives are improved by having Bing and Burl and whomever croon their enforced cheer at you? Seriously. I'd say if there was some survey taken, most people would prefer silence to the current fare.

Personally, if I were L'Elegance's decision-maker, I'd find a way to pipe in Pandora or set it up so that the lovely music they have it their back rooms can be throughout the whole salon. I might be a nerd.

On the upside, I have gorgeous red toenails now and a place I will go again. After New Year's. 

Comments

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

However, I want to know who out there in their right mind believes that their lives are improved by having Bing and Burl and whomever croon their enforced cheer at you?

It improves my life, but the only time I expect others to listen to it is at our Tree-Trimming Parties...

(Note: I may be a weirdo.)

[pisicutsa.livejournal.com]

I must admit I kind of love walking into stores and hearing holiday music. But only in December. :)

[mizarchivist]

It makes me feel tense after a certain point.

[kazmat.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that I love the old holiday tunes and cheesy holiday movies.

[buxom-bey.livejournal.com]

I love Christmas music...in small doses. I like to have in on when we pull out the tree, when I'm wrapping gifts, or sometimes for its own sake over a cup of cocoa. But I don't like it too early in the season, partly because it gets old fast. It was nice having it on during the trimming party, but I was REAL QUICK to shut it off when it was over. Even with Jon's extended "special mix" I still hear Santa Baby at least 3 times. *shudder*

Yeah, that.

[mizarchivist]

See, I can see it being in a set and setting where you are in a holiday frame of mind: at a themed party, wrapping presents, enjoying quiet evening/cocoa/fireplace. However, when I'm getting a nice foot rub and toe prettification? No. Not relaxing. Jarring and irritating.

Back in the old days

[drwex]

when people listened to "radio" and wrote "letters" my father once wrote a letter to the classical-music station that he listened to. In the letter he thanked them for playing so much Christmas music all month, since it gave him a great opportunity to revisit his record collection.

I might be my parents' child. Just a little.

Re: Back in the old days

[mizarchivist]

Maybe.

[catness.livejournal.com]

I have a different relationship with overplayed music than most people, probably because being a musician makes me need to overplay things in order to learn or practice.

That being said, overplayed music *without having a choice* is kind of horrible. But I do like Christmas music. I rarely put any *on*, but I like it when other people do.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I have many friends who work retail. It is amazing they manage to not take their own lives this time of year.

[caulay.livejournal.com]

When I worked retail, I literally could not hear it after the first week or so.

These days, it drives me insane, especially since most of what gets played is horrible (Burl Ives especially).

[samuraizergling.livejournal.com]

I will mention that I am a big fan of Christmas music. My enthusiasm is a bit non-standard, however. There is something appealing to me to hear the 75th rendition of Jingle Bells. I like that I can still be surprised by yet another GOOD version of a song that has been reimagined over and over again.

Now, that being said, there is a radio station right now (maybe 106.7) that has picked their 30 favorite Christmas songs, and play NOTHING ELSE. "Happy Christmas (War is over)" is a good song, but not 6 times a day.

Also a Xmas music fan

[kebbykate.livejournal.com]

I too love Christmas music and since my shopping trips tend to be brief throughout the season, it really doesn't have a chance to get on my nerves. I find myself singing or humming along with it as I go through the store. I listen to NPR news programming almost exclusively at home and in my car, so Christmas music is a nice change, especially since a lot of "store" music is either stuff I don't know or stuff I don't like.

All that said, if I was stuck somewhere and the Christmas music was a sequence of songs that I did not particularly like, I wouldn't be pleased.

[rhysara.livejournal.com]

I love me some 24/7 xmas music (from Thanksgiving to Boxing Day only). In fact there are far less 24/7 xmas radio stations this year and I've been really frustrated by it.