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Cafe & Coffee Shop

How Does the Presence of Music Change the Way We Spend Time in Cafes?

About this topic

'How does the presence of music change the way we spend time in cafes?' interrogates how the presence or absence of BGM in cafes affects our stay duration, concentration, emotion, conversation, and way of thinking. In stores with music, 'atmosphere' is emphasized, making relaxation and conversation easier; in quiet stores, 'concentration' and 'introspection' become easier. This question examines the influence of sound environment on human cognition, emotion, and behavior, and clarifies the meaning of choosing preferred sound environment.

Conceptual positions
01 Music = Atmosphere Emphasis View

The view that stores with music make 'atmosphere' the protagonist, making relaxation, conversation, and comfort easier. BGM 'directs' the space and unifies the impression of the whole store. Experience of 'immersing in that world' while drinking coffee.

02 Silence = Concentration View

The view that quiet stores have less 'sound interference' and are suitable for deep concentration, introspection, reading, writing. Silence or minimal sound highlights 'the voice of one's own thought' and supports creative work.

03 Sound Masking View

The view that music covers surrounding noise, creating a state where 'presence of others doesn't bother,' making privacy easier to protect. Even alone, not awkward; conversely, one can enjoy solitude while feeling 'presence of society.'

04 Emotion Regulation by Sound View

The view that by choosing store with or without music according to the mood of the day, one can 'regulate' emotions. When down, introspect in quiet store; when wanting to feel energetic, gain vitality in store with music.

Talk entry points

  1. Which do you prefer, stores with music or quiet stores at cafes? Tell me the reason from perspectives of concentration, relaxation, conversation.

  2. When spending long in a store with music, what kind of influence does music give to your thought or mood? Be specific.

  3. When spending time in a quiet store, do surrounding sounds (others' conversations, dish sounds) bother you? Or not?

  4. How do stay duration and amount of conversation differ between stores with music and quiet stores? Tell me your experience.

  5. Does the way of spending time change between stores playing music you like and stores playing unknown music? How does it change?

  6. If all cafes became 'silent,' how would your way of spending time change? Conversely, if 'always music' was playing, how would it be?

Conceptual tensions
Concentration vsRelaxation
Quiet stores promote deep concentration but sometimes make relaxation difficult. Stores with music make relaxation easy but sometimes hinder concentration. Sound environment needs to be chosen according to 'purpose.'
Sound Masking vsSound Interference
Music covers noise but sometimes also covers 'the voice of one's own thought.' Struggle between benefit of masking and hindrance of concentration by interference.
Atmosphere vsTransparency of Silence
Music gives 'worldview' or 'color of emotion' to the store, but silence gives 'transparency that adds nothing.' Which feels more comfortable: directed atmosphere or space as it is.
Presence of Others vsPrivacy
Music covers others' conversations and protects privacy, but simultaneously makes 'presence of others' harder to feel. Balance of sociality and loneliness changes with sound.
Music Preference vsStore Choice
Choosing a store with music you like prioritizes 'one's preference,' but choosing a store with unknown music prioritizes 'new encounter' or 'store's original atmosphere.' Sound choice becomes self-expression.
Talk note

This topic does not make stores with music the 'correct answer.' It is a space to clarify daily 'ways of choosing relationship with sound environment' by putting into words whether you are seeking music or silence now. Whether music or silence, let us aim for a gentle dialogue that respects both as choices to care for oneself.

Glossary
Emotion Induction by BGM
The phenomenon where background music unconsciously induces emotions and mood. Up-tempo music generates arousal and vitality, ballads relaxation and sentiment, jazz sophisticated atmosphere. Sound 'paints the color of emotion.'
Sound Masking Effect
The effect where music covers surrounding noise (conversation, dish sounds, city sounds). With music, 'others' conversations don't bother' state arises, making privacy easier to protect.
Sound Environment for Concentration and Relaxation
Quiet environment promotes 'introverted concentration' or 'deep thought,' while environment with music promotes 'extroverted relaxation' or 'light conversation.' Presence/absence of sound switches cognitive mode.
Influence of Music on Time Perception
With music, flow of time sometimes 'feels fast' and sometimes 'feels leisurely.' Favorite music makes time feel shorter, boring music makes it feel longer. The felt duration of stay changes.
Sound and Memory Connection
The phenomenon where specific music evokes past memories and emotions. BGM links to 'that store's atmosphere' or 'past cafe experiences,' generating nostalgia or security.
Sound Choice and Self-Expression
Choosing a store with music is an act of choosing 'one's preferred sound environment,' which in turn reflects 'one's emotional state and desires at that moment.' Sound choice can become a means of self-understanding.
Talk prompts
Ice breaker

Which do you prefer, stores with music or quiet stores at cafes? Tell me the reason from perspectives of concentration, relaxation, conversation.

Deep dive

When spending time in a store with music, what kind of influence does music give to your thought or mood? How does it differ between music you like and unknown music?

Bridge

When the other person says 'store with music is good' or 'quiet store is good,' gently ask 'Do you want to concentrate? Or relax?' Let's make it a conversation exploring the other person's desire together.

Further questions
  • People who feel 'can't concentrate' in stores with music — isn't it actually that the tempo or genre of music doesn't match their thought rhythm?
  • People who feel 'others' conversations bother' in quiet stores — aren't they actually unconsciously feeling 'anxiety about being alone'?
  • Why does time 'feel fast' in stores with favorite music and 'feel slow' in stores with unknown music?
  • Is the reason sound presence/absence changes 'amount of conversation' because sound gives 'conversation trigger,' or because it covers 'awkwardness of silence'?
  • Is the reason 'voice of one's own thought' stands out in silent stores because absence of sound promotes introspection, or because there is no 'stimulation from outside'?
  • People who use stores with and without music 'according to mood of the day' may be masters of emotion regulation