This is a misuse of music and an abuse of the company relationship with us, their customers. If you find yourself increasingly frustrated, irritated and annoyed by the presence of musak in public places, make a complaint. At the very least this might relieve some of your frustration, and it might even make a difference. The Parliamentary Agenda Robert Key, MP for Salisbury, introduced a bill in parliament to ban piped music. It can be heard in public places including doctors' surgeries, swimming pools and bus and railway stations.
All music is devalued if treated as acoustic wallpaper.
However, while the EC is working on a huge noise reduction programme, including a green paper and framework document, the UK seems to be dragging its feet and our policy makers are treating this issue, and us, with negligence. Robert Key's bill was defeated in the house. He took direct action in a Sheffield hotel, asking for the muzak to be turned off. When he was told by the management that the customers liked it, he took his own straw poll, and found that they all agreed with him. The manager finally agreed to turn it off when the Today presenter threatened to leave if the wishes of the customers were not upheld.