... that they seem to need loud thumping rhythmic noise in order to function? I am in a so called shopping centre. It's more like a series of disco's. There is nowhere quite anywhere.
... that they seem to need loud thumping rhythmic noise in order to function? I am in a so called shopping centre. It's more like a series of disco's. There is nowhere quite anywhere.
If I'm cooking then I like to listen to reggae, especially MackaB, I can get into a good cooking vibe
good choice of song born slippy, i also like sunlounger by armin van buuren tge guitar by his brother eller is soorhing
This week, I went to visit a local Council-run leisure centre to ask Reception a question as their website information is poor. I was wearing headphones with active noise cancelling running.
I stepped inside the automatic front doors to be stopped in my tracks by a wall of sound thumping out of multiple ceiling-mounted speakers.
I could not walk in as far as the Reception Desk.
I left without being able to speak with anyone.
There is no point pursuing my enquiry as that entrance is they only way in to all of the facilities.
In years past (pre-pandemic) they didn't use to operate the Reception area that way.
Apparently, the Council have let the contract to a new company to manage the site.
Ridiculously loud nonsense.
I go to our local shopping centre before 7am for the weekly grocery shop. No music playing and far fewer people. I wouldn't go as far as saying it's enjoyable, but at least I can cope then. I keep well clear of shopping centres the rest of the time.
Along with the rest of my school choir, I sang 'Oh Fortuna' at the Albert Hall. It was nearly 70 years ago but still a vivid memory.
Ah, I can understand why you'd want to avoid headphones then. Similarly I try to avoid my triggers - crowds and groups of young men.
I don't do headphones, they trigger my PTSD and people seem to see me wearing them as an invite to hassle me.
....and of course that loud noise is fine as I have chosen it rather than having it imposed on me. I pop my headphones on (please listen responsibly...) 
I like it loud too, TheCatWoman . Even better with the lights out at night 
On the rare occaission I do isten to music I like it loud as I like to feel enveloped by, I wnat that sound to be the only sense I experience and it could be anything from Born Slippy by Underworld, to Carl Orrf's Oh Fortuna.
I quite like loud music when I want to listen to music,
But not when trying ti concentrate on making decisions on things need to spend money on. To me they are different activities
Our quiet time is 8am on an a saturday morning until 10am, none of the deliveries will have arrived by then, so another visit later in the day will be needed or another day. Our tesco is being refitted and it's total chaos, they've got huge new fridges, many of which have nothing in them, those that do only have half the stuff in them, they other half being in thier old ones in the original place, so half the plant based stuff in on one side of the shop and the rest on the other side, the same with the fish. Stuff has been moved to totally irrational places, like tinned tomatoes and soup opposite the stinky laundry aisle, bread is spread around the shop. No one, not even the staff know where anything is.
I guess we will end up with more space for produce, but will it be things that people actually want to buy and will they get rid of stuff that people do want? It sounds like a stupid question, but its what they've done before.
Any opportunity I will put my ear defenders on, it also acts as a deterrent to NTs I’ve noticed they are looking for open ears
I’d generally be wary of generalising (about any topic) from “this is overwhelming for me as an autistic person” to “NTs seem to need it”.
In this case, some autistic people actively seek out loud, rhythmic sounds as part of sensory-seeking, and could actually enjoy that aspect of your shopping centre experience.
Autism-related sensory processing can differ in more than one direction (hyper- or hypo-sensitive), and it can also be mixed and context-dependent (for example, enjoying loud music, but not other loud sounds).
Also, plenty of neurotypical and, more broadly, allistic (not autistic) people also dislike loud music in shops.
Noise aside, shopping centres can, of course, still be very difficult for lots of us for other reasons, too - like the examples here:
NAS - Autism and sensory processing
Practically, you could try headphones or earplugs to help, but perhaps you could also consider asking whether the shopping centre runs - or would be willing to trial - quiet sessions?
For example, the Metrocentre in Gateshead offers quiet sessions twice a week with adjustments including dimmed lighting and reduced noise from in-store music and announcements:
I know, don't get me started! Just been for meal in quiet country pub (barman turned soft rock playlist on - didn’t spoil my experience, but not needed) and came home to find landscapers next door had radio on (annoying). Headphones, people!
‘Loud thumping?” “Rhythmic noise?” “Discos?”
Oh no, am I a NT?!?
Jokes aside, I wonder how shopping music differs between America and the UK. I feel like we generally play soft rock from 80s and 90s to inspire shoppers to take their time.
I used to like physical shops, as I like to look at things and maybe try them on before buying, but I've noticed so many shops have music often different music in different parts of the shop. It puts me off and I often leave, its not good for me or for the shops, as I don't get what I need and they dont get sales.
Apparently psychologists reckon that music encourages buying behaviour, obviously they've never met autistic people, as it encourages running away behaviour.
