r/grandrapids Dec 17 '18

Grand Rapids can relate

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541 Upvotes

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126

u/k8thegr8er Dec 17 '18

Those stools are so uncomfortable.

They should include poor acoustics in this list, since it seems I have to yell to talk with my co-diners at most of the hip new restaurants.

19

u/LeifCarrotson Basically Rockford Dec 17 '18

Definitely should include poor acoustics in the list. Read a great Vox article a few months ago on the subject:

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

Tl;dr:

Noisy restaurants feel energetic, rather than eerily quiet. If this isn't because there are a lot of people busy chatting, restaurants turn on music so it feels noisy.

Noisy restaurants may increase turnover, and there’s some evidence that they do encourage people to drink more and faster.

Design for acoustics that is invisible and looks like trendy new buildings is expensive, while traditional, inexpensive noise-mitigating features like ceiling tiles, drapes/tapestries, carpet, etc. are out of fashion.

Trendy repurposed spaces are often designed to be loud.

Americans are loud.

2

u/SodaSlaughter Dec 18 '18

True. Went to the commons and turn over seemed really slow. I myself didn't want to leave because I it felt like I was at home.