The world is noisier than it should be. Is it because people want to drown their thoughts and reflections through sights and sounds? Does it calm them?

Last Sunday, I accompanied my daughter to the PITX bus terminal. The din, shuffling of feet, barkers’ shouts now and then, these are normal. But playing very loud music in the terminal? It’s not. Is that intended to make the place lively? Probably, but it was too loud for comfort. I felt sorry for the vendors there manning the stalls. Am I getting old and couldn’t enjoy the music? Probably too.

Even public places should have areas where people can stay peacefully, where music is pleasant to listen to.

But there’s a certain threshold when music is music and when it becomes noise. Several songs of a famous girl group in the Philippines, Bini, were played. The sound was muffled when we went inside a fast food restaurant to eat. But as soon as we got out, the noise assailed my ears again.

It was similar when I rode the coaster from the terminal to the mall. Music was playing, several levels than ideal. Madonna’s voice seductively sang “I’ve always been in love with you…” Bryan Adams’ husky voice and Whitney Houston’s ethereal voice played. As it was midafternoon, I was a bit sleepy having gotten up so early, so I closed my eyes.

The woman beside me was playing videos of crying babies (what the heck!) from the time she sat down to the time she got off; another was watching a variety show with claps and laughter; another passenger was viewing an action film with gunshot sounds. Someone across me was also noisily folding her food pack – crunch, swish, rustle.

When I reached the mall, I craved for ice cream so I bought a cup of Dairy Queen ice cream, choosing strawberry over Oreo after 15 seconds. I went to the food court. Lots of people at 5pm! Loud conversations punctuated by laughter. Music played in the background. I caught Cold Play’s “Yellow” in the din. Then Maroon 5’s “Girl Like You.”

Ear muffs? Might be helpful temporarily but not ideal for your ears to be covered in public places where there are many people and where there’s constant movement.

Yes, noise is expected in the terminal, coaster, mall. But I think, these places don’t need to have that level of noise that already assails the senses. It just should have enough decibel to enliven the place but not too much to affect serenity. Even public places should have areas where people can stay peacefully, where music is pleasant to listen to.