Dear Fred Meyer,

I'm pleased that I can find most of what I need with one stop. Groceries, socks, a bicycle tire pump, maybe a new toilet seat or a birthday card or a toy to take to a birthday party.

Hell, you even have small appliances, bedding, home decor and furniture.

But why does my shopping experience have to be so damn loud?

No, I am not talking about the fact that there are 500 people in the store, many of them children. Those are ordinary noises. They don't make me crazy.

I'm talking about the "music" you're playing.
It's obnoxious. Even when it's something I'd ordinarily like to hear, I don't want to hear it while I'm grocery shopping.

I particularly don't appreciate having to pause and stand under a speaker while I'm choosing between three types of aspirin or feminine products.

And we really don't appreciate the shouting over the store's PA system.

Today we were assaulted by some maniacal bitch shouting about the Halloween costume contest. I can see making an announcement on occasion, but every five minutes at top volume edges into the goddamn ridiculous.

Also, you have a couple managers who, in their quest to look self-important, forget that there are people in their path. They need to be taught that it's rude to jump in front of someone with a fully loaded shopping cart. Our own innate courtesy makes it an automatic reaction to try NOT to run over the idiot. So far, we haven't. But I'm about to give up trying to stop instantly because Mr. Strutty or that bald fuck suddenly appears in front of the cart.

So let me sum up.
Turn off the music. If we want to hear music while we shop, we can wear a headset.

Stop haranguing us. We're not interested in the 'today only' deal on mops or plants or cinnamon pine cones. We're also not interested in your communication with your employees. They all have walkie talkies. Use them.

STOP THE FUCKING YELLING!!!!