Music playing aloud in the office...

This really is a tough subject.

Should you play music out loud at your desk? Now, I (of course) have a strong yet reasonable opinion on the matter, however, it all depends on where you work.

If you are some sort of lawyer or top exec... then I guess it doesn't matter, just buzz your secretary and have her get off her ass and shut your door to your huge office w/ a city-scape view. Bastards!

If you are a secretary (at any office), it is my opinion that you should not be listening to music out loud. Most administrative assistants' duties are to answer phones, file, and be on call at their desks to assist their boss. If one is listening to music out loud at his/her desk, it could be difficult to hear the phone or requests from his/her boss. Now, a gentle flowing of music from the computer or radio may be permitted, however... gentle is the key word.

Now, in my situation, having music played aloud in a cube when your yourself are surrounded by cubes, music playing/volume is a big issue. Like I have mentioned before... speaking volume has been an issue for me (sorry people... i can't have those annoying blabber mouths around me when I'm trying to concentrate. See previous post on "Office etiquette"). At the moment (even at the crack of 8:30 in the morning), I have someone blasting their tunes at an unreasonable level. I know I know... call me grandma if you will, but in an office setting (even at a "cool" advertising agency... and I use the term "cool" loosely) there must be boundaries. If the person next to your cube can hear your music at more than a whisper tone... it is too loud. Especially if you are blaring top 40/rap. I am a fan of said genres of music, but I have my limits at the work place. If you have the option (i.e. don't have to answer the phones much, or if your phone has a blinking light on it when it rings) try to listen to headphones. Now I know not everyone can afford an iPod, but come on people. It is 2005, I'm sure you can grab your sister's old disc man (or hell... even a walkman if you are so inclined) and jam away whilst others enjoy the silence.

I am all for making the office a more enjoyable place to be... and sometimes that includes hearing Britney Spears hitting it one more time... but only if all is in agreement with it. There is only so many more times I can hear my cube-neighbor's iTunes play Weezer and Coldplay.

... Coldplay people!!!! If I have to listen to "Speed of Sound" once more... someone will be hurt.