OK, friends, I need your feedback. Ed and I have joined a gym in our neighborhood; I’ve been going since November. It’s a well kept facility. I just spent a couple of hours there – cardio, weights, steam room. Until I changed for the steam room, I’d had my headphones in. As I was getting undressed, I realized the English rap music their were playing on the loud speakers throughout the gym was especially profane. It went on during my 15 minutes in the steam room, my shower, and while I was getting dressed.
As I was leaving I asked the two young women at the desk if they spoke English; they did. I said that I would like to talk to them about the music that had been playing. I said that I realize if it’s not your first language, it may not strike you this way (a Polish friend who does speak English told me she doesn’t understand English lyrics in songs), but the language in the songs is the height of profanity and vulgarity in English, and to come across it in a business setting where I am the customer was very offensive. They thanked me for pointing it out. I thanked them for listening and came home.
So, it remains to be seen if the music selection will become more socially acceptable, or if I will become known that that cranky, prudish American.
An accountant by trade and a food blogger since 2009, Lois Britton fell in love with Polish cuisine during the years she lived in Poznań, Poland. As the creator of PolishHousewife.com, she loves connecting readers with traditional Polish recipes. Lois has a graduate certificate in Food Writing and Photography from the University of South Florida. She is the author of The Polish Housewife Cookbook, available on Amazon and on her website.
Ola
I must admit that I usually do not pay attention to English lyrics, I guess they don't also…sometimes it is simply to difficult to udnerstand
Anonymous
While I am (as a Pole) able to communicate with someone in English, I am absolutely not able to understand the lyrics, because of the different pronunciation, definitely not the 'BBC accent', effects of loud music etc. Moreover, I know probably about 1,000 English words (mainly technical), but curses or offensive words are not among them.
Rafał
Pikinini
You were right:) They probably didn't pay their attention to words, just to the music or even only rhythm. People sometimes repeat some words or phrases from a song but when you ask them what is about, they don't know:)
I see your behaviour as very beneficial for english learners as well as for the society or just for your co-users of the gym centre;)
robin153
After 22 years in US I have to pay a lot of attention to understand lyrics in American songs.But you were right to note it and explain. There is no need for vulgar music in the public place.
I enjoy your blog very much.
Melinda
I think you did the right thing, Lois. I'm reminded of an occasion last season when the Tucson Padres played some popular song and were mortified when some foul language blasted through the loud speakers. They apologized profusely. I don't think any business really intends to offend in that way and I'm sure the staff at the fitness center appreciated your comments. (For the record
Lois B
Ola – I have suspected that's the case. I hear so much American music here and often wonder how many people are "getting" the words. Sometimes it's difficult, even for native speakers. (I'm thinking of an English opera we attended.)
Rafał – you do more than communicate in English; you are eloquent.
Pikinini – thanks, it's nice of you to say so
tralf
No business wants to offend their customers; I think you did the right thing in bringing it to their attention. I find the lyrics in rap music are always hard to understand and usually offensive.
Kasia
You did the right thing! I hope they don't play it again.
Anonymous
Thank you! But my point is that even if you speak (more less) English you may not have a clue what are the lyrics about.
And you still have to pay royalties for the music in your gym, even if it scares your customers! 🙂 [Another reason to 'No to ACTA'?]
Rafał
Lori
I agree with all who said you did the right thing. But often words that are quite "loaded" in the United States are not so emotionally charged in Europe. While in Budapest in a fairly nice restaurant with my granddaughter we watched a family come in — parents with two kids, probably late middle school or early high school age. The young man had on his shirt: "I don't give a —
Lois B
tralf – I wouldn't have heard this playing at Rob-May.
Kasia – thanks 🙂
Rafał – point taken.
Lori – I had wondered about this – emotionally charged is exactly the right phrase. Even if someone understood the meaning, the significance might be very different for someone from the US.
Chris
They didn't understand the lyrics for sure and I think you were ok to let them know that the music was pretty vulgar.
Maybe I mentioned this before but a couple of years ago I entered a radio contest trying to win a birthday cake for Misiu. It was a text message contest so I sent the required info and an additional request to the station to please stop playing the original version
Lois B
Chris – 🙁 sad story. It's hard to say who is more insolent, rappers or radio DJs.
Melinda
Yeah, well…shock jock is a whole different thing! 🙁