Julie Burchill

What kind of city dweller complains about noise?

It’s joyful hearing others having fun

  • From Spectator Life
Soho during Covid restrictions (Getty)

I’m a highly insensitive person, which means that I’m rarely perturbed by aural excitement. I love public noise, the sound of the crowd. I would never want double-glazed windows – and I even like the sound of drills and construction because I enjoy living in a boomtown where lots of people want to be. The only noise I don’t like is that of children screeching in restaurants, pubs and bars, but that’s because I don’t believe they should be there in the first place; I love noisy adults in restaurants, having the time of their lives. Little dogs barking in these places I don’t mind – but not big ones as they look like they’re showing off. I like quiet in libraries – and that’s about it.

There certainly seems to be a lot more complaints about noisy fun that there used to be

I especially like public music, whether blaring in cars or murmuring in elevators, but especially by water; house music by swimming pools, indie music from transistors on the shore, chill-out music in beach bars.

Get Britain's best politics newsletters

Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in