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http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl Member Run Boards >> Environment >> Restaurant noise environment. http://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1527391236 Message started by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 1:20pm

Title: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 1:20pm

I don't know about other people -
but the older I get the more fed up I am with noise.
After a bit of searching I couldn't find a restaurant last night
to have a quiet meal with an old friend of mine.
We chose one but although the food was good the noise got to us.

Every restaurant seems to be the same -
they play some songs too loud on a PA system & everyone is shouting at each other.
We had to shout at each other to be heard & yet she was only
1 meter away from me.
She was shouting at me so that I could hear her at
the same time as she was trying to eat -
what happened? -
she nearly choked on her food & had a coughing fit in the restaurant.
I thought she was going to choke to death.

I don't remember this problem when I dined in Europe -
it seems to be an Australian and American problem.

https://www.vox.com/2018/4/18/17168504/restaurants-noise-levels-loud-decibels

Why restaurants became so loud — and how to fight back
“I can’t hear you.”
By Julia Belluz@juliaoftorontojulia.belluz@voxmedia.com Updated Apr 25, 2018, 10:11am EDT
Share

When the Line Hotel opened in Washington, DC, last December, the cocktail bars, gourmet coffee shops, and restaurants that fill its cavernous lobby drew a lot of buzz. Housed in a century-old church, the space was also reputedly beautiful.

My first visit in February confirmed that the Line was indeed as sleek as my friends and restaurant critics had suggested. There was just one problem: I wanted to leave almost as soon as I walked in. My ears were invaded by a deafening din. I felt like a trapped mouse, tortured with loud sounds for the purposes of an experiment. The noise was so irritating, I asked my husband whether we should go before our drinks arrived.

We ended up lingering for about half an hour at the Brothers and Sisters restaurant, straining to hear each other. On the way out, I tried to mention the tough acoustics to someone at the restaurant’s front desk. I don’t think he heard me.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 1:21pm

And more here:

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/tourism/articles/restaurant-noise-can-impact-diners-and-workers

Restaurant noise can impact diners and workers

On exposure to noise above an intensity level of 75 decibels, the ear's sensitivity level will decrease. But, the level of noise in busy restaurants is getting louder, which can be a problem for both diners, and restaurant workers.

In 2011, Safe Work Australia received a submission from Restaurant and Catering Australia that said because “average noise levels in restaurants range between 50 and 90 decibels”, the acceptable standard for noise levels in the workplace should be lifted from 85 decibels to 100 decibels”.

This level of noise could be equated to standing close to a power drill.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 1:23pm

And more:

https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov/have-you-heard/noise-levels-restaurants

Noise Levels in Restaurants

Do you want earplugs with that burger?

Have you ever had to raise your voice to the level of a shout to be heard when dining out? Yes? You aren’t alone!
A family dining at a restaurant

The next time you eat out, look and listen. Is the restaurant a big room with a high ceiling? Are there lots of hard surfaces like metal and concrete? Are tables crowded together? Hard surfaces and open spaces make sounds bounce and echo, so the sounds seem even louder. And when you raise your voice, other people have to talk louder to be heard, too.

Noise levels in restaurants are a growing concern for patrons, employees, and restaurant owners alike. In fact, nationally known reviewers have started to include the loudness of restaurants as factors in their ratings. And with good reason. A recent Zagat Dining Trends Survey found that noise in restaurants was ranked as diners’ top complaint.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 1:28pm

http://aaronallen.com/blog/5-causes-of-and-solutions-to-the-restaurant-noise-epidemic

5 Causes of and Solutions to the Restaurant Noise Epidemic

Would you sit a party of four at their booth and then ask them: “Do you mind if this construction worker uses a jackhammer beside you whilst you eat?” Of course not. Fact is, though, this evening in restaurants across LA and New York, diners are being put through torturous and noise-regulation-breaching ordeals of jackhammer proportions.

A 2015 Zagat Survey shows 24 percent of diners’ nationally rate noise as their primary restaurant gripe (second only to service). A similar Los Angeles survey proved some restaurant noise levels are the equivalent of diners enduring lawn mowers, power drills, heavy traffic and whirring blender annoyance whilst trying to enjoy their meals.

The ramification is revenue loss at the till. These lost dollars, however, are only the beginning of problems for restaurateurs who don’t act to reduce high noise levels.

“Would you like a side order of hearing loss with that?”

Sustained durations of 90 dB noise levels result in hearing damage when experienced for sustained durations. Those are levels where employers must issue sound protective safety equipment to workers, and many surveyed restaurants showed levels in excess of this figure.

Do you want an environment where servers must wear ear protection, where customers can’t have a conversation? The threshold where normal conversation can occur is 45 to 50 dB, according to the ACC Audiology Awareness Campaign Report, by the way…

The good news is that noise levels can be substantially reduced with a retrofit and by applying procedures in line with restaurant design best practices. First you need to determine where the noise is coming from and, for new restaurant designs, where the problem areas will be.

The problem areas and solutions to auditory woes:

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by freediver on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:24pm

I suspect this is deliberate - makes it sound busy and popular. A lot of them have smooth walls, even polished concrete etc. It's like an echo chamber. They could easily kill the sound.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:34pm

freediver wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:24pm:

I suspect this is deliberate - makes it sound busy and popular. A lot of them have smooth walls, even polished concrete etc. It's like an echo chamber. They could easily kill the sound.

Hi FD,
Maybe it is deliberate.
When I was young I used to think that the louder a place was -
say a disco or nightclub that the better it was.
When you get older you'd like to be able to have a quiet meal &
a chat with an old friend - your priorities change &
the noise irritates you.

There should be acoustic tiles on all the walls & ceilings &
even carpet tiles under the tables
to reduce the noise & echos.

I have dined many times in Europe -
places in: Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, London, Tewkesbury Gloucester, Barcelona &
I never found that problem of noise.
They seem to have more class in Europe -
nice white table cloths, excellent cutlery & plates,
top service by waiters & a quiet atmosphere if you want, plus
of course some fantastic food.

Here in Australia & in America I didn't find that.
Both countries have hoards of loud screaming bogans
with no culture & the food is usually not as good as you could cook at home.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Gordon on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:47pm

I usually don't notice anything other than my 1 year old screaming his tits off

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:47pm

Gordon wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:47pm:

I usually don't notice anything other than my 1 year old screaming his tits off

Leave him in the car. ;D

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Gordon on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:53pm

Bobby. wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:47pm:

Gordon wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:47pm:

I usually don't notice anything other than my 1 year old screaming his tits off

Leave him in the car. ;D

I do when I'm playing the pokies.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:59pm

Gordon wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:53pm:

Bobby. wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:47pm:

Gordon wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:47pm:

I usually don't notice anything other than my 1 year old screaming his tits off

Leave him in the car. ;D

I do when I'm playing the pokies.

Very funny - as if. :)

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by The Mechanic on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:22pm

I'll never go back to loud places.. they poo me to tears and I'll walk out..

if I see kids in one part of the Restaurant I'll go to the opposite side of the dining room...

same as a train... I wont sit anywhere near kids and useless parent.. or groups of people for that matter... they dont know how to talk quietly and to be respectful of others around them..

basically... people are arseholes...

try going to a fancy restaurant like Macca's... ;D ;D ;D

I like Macca's coffee... its "consistent" in taste and temperature mainly.. and I get to use their free wifi while im working away at the moment...

some of the Macca's I don't go into here around Geelong...

except the Belmont Macca's...

its clean and quiet (for a Macca's) old folk flock to there... (hint)

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:26pm

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:22pm:

I'm in Geelong right now.
I went to the Novotel by the waterfront & they overcooked my steak
till it was like a piece of leather.
It was very noisy as well.
One day I'll find a nice restaurant in Geelong.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by The Mechanic on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:32pm

yeah most places down on the waterfront are noisy...

hey... go down to the Edge cafe tomorrow and have a look inside the Mens Toilets...

thats a real treat.. :)

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by The Mechanic on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:39pm

Take the 56 out to Queencliff and go to the 360q

https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x6ad436c375681c1b:0xbd77c6432c1365b3!2m22!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m16!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!2m2!1m1!1e6!3m1!7e115!4shttps://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p/AF1QipM1GrRFb8klPS1qvW80ZvnW49Ij21rshuXcuBze%3Dw520-h350-n-k-no!5squeenscliff+restaurants+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipM1GrRFb8klPS1qvW80ZvnW49Ij21rshuXcuBze

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:39pm

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:32pm:

yeah most places down on the waterfront are noisy...

hey... go down to the Edge cafe tomorrow and have a look inside the Mens Toilets...

thats a real treat.. :)

No thank you - there could be poofs in Geelong too. :-[

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by The Mechanic on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:45pm

Bobby. wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:39pm:

[quote author=The_Mechanic link=1527391236/12#12 date=1527413554]yeah most places down on the waterfront are noisy...

hey... go down to the Edge cafe tomorrow and have a look inside the Mens Toilets...

thats a real treat.. :)

No thank you - there could be poofs in Geelong too. :-[/quote]

oh for cripes sakes.. im trying to help you out here..

IMG_2946.JPG (239 KB | 16 )

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:47pm

That looks very poofy to me.
I wouldn't go there.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by The Mechanic on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:49pm

Go to Barwon Heads on the 55 Bus...

Go to the "At the Heads" restaurant ..

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/At+the+Heads/@-38.284526,144.4950786,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipMoRH9WGaV3aQI8O_odwFzLqzCoyekCJRhjqc7N!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMoRH9WGaV3aQI8O_odwFzLqzCoyekCJRhjqc7N%3Dw203-h115-k-no!7i3728!8i2119!4m5!3m4!1s0x6ad440eb501bb12b:0x51ec6de9c98f4341!8m2!3d-38.2844023!4d144.4955671?hl=en

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:54pm

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:49pm:

That looks better:

At_the_Heads_seafood.jpg (159 KB | 19 )

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by The Mechanic on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:57pm

Bobby. wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:54pm:

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:49pm:

That looks better:

both there and 360q are IMO the two of the best places I've been to that are both reasonable, clean and great views...

and at 360q they have a lookout tower ... (free) that has a lift that goes to the top

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:59pm

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:57pm:

Bobby. wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:54pm:

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 7:49pm:

That looks better:

Thanks Mechanic,
I'm going to be here in Geelong - or out this way for quite a while.
I appreciate some good tips on Geelong.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by The Mechanic on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:04pm

if you like autumn leaves then this is one of the most spectacular Autumn Leave events that I've ever seen..

they are all over one side of Geelong College right now...

you will not get a better time to see this spectacular than right now.. today

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.1523296,144.3402122,3a,75y,244.46h,96.43t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgERQ2mEejvCQbnUacw3pBw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:12pm

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:04pm:

Very nice thanks.
It will take me a while to find my way around Geelong.
Luckily I have a sat nav in the car.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by The Mechanic on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:18pm

no worries...

I ride my bike down here most days

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.165304,144.3534335,3a,75y,341.43h,89.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdM2bkdUdJ4NZiLYZJrZtog!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

its a beautiful river in the middle of the biggest city outside of Melbourne..

has walking/riding tracks that go for miles... rowing clubs/competitions... different old folk groups do walking/riding down here as well...

one of my favourite places in Geelong that keeps me sane..

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:22pm

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:18pm:

Looks good.
When my knee is finally better I'd like to walk around & see some more places.
I only stopped using crutches 2 weeks ago.
It will still take at least a month for me to get fully better.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by The Mechanic on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:35pm

Bobby. wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:22pm:

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:18pm:

Looks good.
When my knee is finally better I'd like to walk around & see some more places.
I only stopped using crutches 2 weeks ago.
It will still take at least a month for me to get fully better.

sorry to hear that bobby.. nothing more annoying than a bad injury that keeps you from getting going..

if you need to do some rehab go to leisurelink waurn ponds... take bus 41 or 42

pools are heated...

waurn ponds shopping centre is across the road..

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:45pm

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 8:35pm:

I have a car so no need for buses.
Thanks for the tip.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by freediver on Jun 6^th, 2018 at 9:57am

Bobby. wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:34pm:

freediver wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:24pm:

I suspect this is deliberate - makes it sound busy and popular. A lot of them have smooth walls, even polished concrete etc. It's like an echo chamber. They could easily kill the sound.

You probably spent a lot more on beer when you were younger.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by AiA on Jun 6^th, 2018 at 11:36am

freediver wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:24pm:

I suspect this is deliberate - makes it sound busy and popular. A lot of them have smooth walls, even polished concrete etc. It's like an echo chamber. They could easily kill the sound.

Restaurants built in perfectly square rooms are the noisiest. Also, restaurants built in historic places like warehouses can be noisy ... high ceilings make it even worse. And any hard surface. Acoustic panels are expensive. Also, most restaurants these days have the bar in the dining room - more noise.

Title: Re: Restaurant noise environment.
Post by Bobby on Jun 6^th, 2018 at 8:52pm

freediver wrote on Jun 6^th, 2018 at 9:57am:

Bobby. wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:34pm:

freediver wrote on May 27^th, 2018 at 6:24pm:

I suspect this is deliberate - makes it sound busy and popular. A lot of them have smooth walls, even polished concrete etc. It's like an echo chamber. They could easily kill the sound.

You probably spent a lot more on beer when you were younger.

I certainly liked a few beers when I was younger. ;)