Noise

Here's my crotchety, yes, I'm getting old, new pet peeve....noisy restaurants. I cannot stand it and even when the food may be terrific, I am reluctant to go. Never noticed until lately how the octaves may be so high. What I can't understand is why some restaurants are quiet and some are so loud you can barely hear the waitress. It has little to do with price as some chains are quiet and some fine dining establishments are cacophonous! Some smallish places can be ear splitting but it usually is the larger restaurants that strain the timbers! So I guess it may be the sheer number of people? I don't know. I do know, when possible, I won't sit near children. Spent a life long career, 6+ hours a day with them. Love them but don't want to eat with them. I also have learned to sit near the walls of a restaurant. It's ear-splitting hell to sit in the center.
My hearing is fine and there is no loss, despite the many concerts in my youth, but when I'm out for a meal, whether a sandwich, an omelet or chicken cordon bleu....shhhhhhh!
Off crotchety-old-lady soapbox!