by Poetic Enigma

Created on: July 21, 2009

First of all, I would say it depends on what kind of music is being played, and what kind of work environment is around. Listening to one kind of music may be more distracting at one place, while at another place it could be a welcomed retreat.

If you are working in an office, for example, you may not want to play something like rap or metal. However, at a place where the atmosphere is more prone to people who enjoy those genres of music, it would be more acceptable. Workplaces that are more fast paced and friendly are the places that would find music appreciated, especially different genres depending on the place.

Say you go to the mall, and pick a store like Hot Topic. When you walk into the store you would expect to hear loud alternative rock coming from the speakers right? Imagine walking into the same store and finding that they are playing something like country or classical music? That just would not seem right, would it? They listen to rock, metal, and alternative music because it fits the theme of their store. They also listen to these kinds of music because the employees typically are young adults who enjoy loud thrash your skull music. They would not work there if they did not like it, or would they?

There are times when music in the workplace can definitely be distracting. Music can become distracting when it takes away from the work getting done, or even the quality. Music can also become distracting when the employees start singing with the lyrics. Sure it can be entertaining, but that is not always the best thing to do on the job.

Then, on the other hand, music can make a stressful job more relaxing. Classical music especially, is said to be calming, and has the power to make people think clearer. Classical music can also help people to become more focused. Back in high school, I took a class where the teacher would play classical music during tests to help us focus better on the questions.

However, I cannot answer for those out there who do not like classical music. Perhaps they have another type (or genre) of music that calms them, and helps them to think clearer.

From my experience, music has definitely had a calming affect. I worked somewhere fast paced, so we would listen to either country or rock. Maybe it did not help us to think more clearly; we did not really need to think more clearly on this job, but it made the hours go by faster.

Learn more about this author, Poetic Enigma.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.