Hot Topic

I'm just gonna tell it like it is: I get panic attacks from loud, overwhelming or sudden sounds that last hours or days. Usually when I enter a Hot Topic, they are happy to turn it down a bit for me so I can shop a little and leave. Not a lot, just a bit helps. The trebel on the sound on the malls is usually earsplitting unless you're already deaf and used to it. But for people like me, it can be hard. When I asked kindly if they could turn it down, the girl gave me the most weirdest, ridiculous facial expression, shook her head, and said "Actually, no, we can't" in a blunt fashion, and then paused and then added something like, "it's sorta the thing." and then waved her arms around like she was pointing at the air. I know that part of Hot Topic policy is that the music is supposed to add to the atmosphere, which I understand. But if one lifelong customer requests it be turned down a bit, there's no harm in obliging for awhile. The comfort of the customers is important. I myself work in retail, and in my job I do what I can for the people who visit. If I were her, I would have at least asked my manager To see what I could do. To refuse to turn down something that is literally right behind the desk and easy to turn down is not very welcoming. There was no need for her to reply like that, and I left right away, and I had wanted to do a lot of shopping for gifts there. I ended up going to Spencer's instead, because their music is never as earsplitting.