Do a good deed today -- tell a business to switch their TV off of FAUX

[Algernon Moncrieff]

If you live in certain parts of the world, businesses play FAUX Noise on televisions the way Muzak is played in elevators. It is there -- being constantly misinforming in the background. Hotel breakfast areas and fast food restaurants are what I've found to be the worst offenders. Tell them to switch it!

Some thoughts:

- Sure, you could tell them to switch it to MSNBC, but that probably just sets for a fight. Instead, suggest a politically neutral option, like ESPN News, Weather Channel, or Disney.

- Especially if you have kids, remind them that the news is not always family friendly, and brings up topics you might not want to explain to your kids at that moment.

- At a restaurant, you can also bring up the notion that the news brings up topics that spoil your appetite.

- It never hurts to remind them gently (or loudly and obnoxiously, if you prefer) that FAUX represents a part of the political spectrum that endears some, but annoys many others. Suggest that their business should want to cater to all points of view. Again, suggest a politically neutral option, like ESPN News, Weather Channel, or Disney.

- If they say "our customers request/switch the channel to this" you can remind them that you are a customer, and now you want it switched elsewhere. Or you can ask what other decisions customers are making for them these days on how their business should be run -- I bet I could find a bunch of us who want nickel beer -- will you do that to?

- If they say they show it to share their point of view and annoy liberals, you know it's time to spend money elsewhere.

[yeoman6987]

1. I agree

Most places I go has CNN which as long S it is basic news is ok. But I love the suggestion of weather channel or some neutral channel.

[MineralMan]

2. I've asked a few businesses to change the channel away from Fox News.

I only do that if I'm the only person in the room, though, and that's rarely the case. I actually don't see Fox News all that often in waiting rooms, though. Usually, it's on something less partisan when I get there.

The only "telling" I do at businesses is to tell them why I won't be coming back if their policies somehow bother me. That rarely happens. Typically, if I have to wait somewhere, I have my tablet with me and use their free wifi to do something on that. I can ignore a TV set just as easily in a business as I can at home.

[oneshooter]

3. Of course you should "tell" them to change it.

You should demand that they do what YOU want. That will really go over well. Piss off the people working on your car and see how fast you can find a new shop to DEMAND to.


Now, if you ask politely, then you may get results. Try it some time.

[Atman]

4. Car dealership waiting rooms tend to be bad, too.

But at least when I go in for service, they usually leave the remote right there on the table. Sometimes you're the only one there, so I have no problem changing the channel. It can get a little iffy if half a dozen people are there, though.

[NightWatcher]

5. or you could ignore it

Maybe someone there likes it. Sure it's ignorant, hate filled shit, but why should they bow down and kiss your ass?

You are free to tell them that you are taking your business elsewhere if you are so fragile that you cannot sit in the same room with it for a moment while someone else provides a good or service for you.

Too many people expect the entire world to bend to their every wish and desire.

It's just a tv, you'll be ok.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

11. ..or not

Why should they bow down and kiss my ass? My money is as good as anybody else's there.

In my experience, there is a certain breed of conservative who insists on sharing FAUX with the world.

This conservative blogger cites a previous thread on DU regarding this topic. Clearly it's something that threatens or annoys them.

[CK_John]

6. You don't believe that a business sets the channel for free...The TV and cable service is usually

paid for by program vendor xyz and contracted to play only xyz.

[Bigmack]

7. I got one of these as a gift...

... feels good to just see Hannutty fade off that screen. Nobody knows what happened.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-TV-Power-Remote-Control-Shut-Off-TVs-at-Bars-Restaurants-209-Codes-/141405183698?pt=US_Remote_Controls&hash=item20ec67ded2

[ProdigalJunkMail]

9. incredibly rude and childish... nt

[Bigmack]

14. Sorry you feel that way, but Fox is rude and childish, and why should I put up with that shit? nt

[ProdigalJunkMail]

15. you don't have to...

you can leave. but hey... whatever makes you feel like you've done something... heaven forbid you should have to engage someone in conversation about what you're watching in the waiting room or restaurant.


sP

[Algernon Moncrieff]

12. That is not nice...

...to think you'd use that to turn off FAUX? or a Dallas Cowboys game? or the Yankees? No...it's just wrong

[kimbutgar]

8. I used to stay at a La Quinta in thousand oaks and they had fox on in the breakfast room

I asked them to change the channel to local news or CNN but the owner told me no. I wrote a letter to la Quinta and they said they would address the issue. I went back again when I was in the area and it was on. Now I no longer stay at any la quintas when I travel.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

10. I know some businesses hide behind the "franchisees are independent" line

I doubt that line would be their response if the franchisee were showing Al Jazeera English

[TorchTheWitch]

13. Fox pays them to have the tv's on their channel

They also provide the tv's and set up. And they're monitored or only set up to tune in to Fox. Businesses that aren't contracted with Fox and have their own tv's don't care what station it's on or even if it's a news channel... and usually it isn't but sports or something that has to do with what the business is about, like a Pet channel for vet's office or a medical talk show for a doctor's office, etc. And they don't mind changing the channel at customer request unless it's playing something themed toward the business.

Fortunately, I see far more businesses that have their own tv's tuned into something that's oriented to the business especially now that so many business themed programs are being made and run continuously. It's been a long time since I've seen any business that shows a news channel at all anymore whether Fox or otherwise. Even the local pool and spa store has their tv set to some pool and spa program that runs for a few hours and then repeats itself day in and day out. Drives the workers crazy though. The local Kinkos used to run Fox, but a few years ago got new and bigger tv's and have some business themed long running infomercial about copying and other services they offer... obviously that's one that Kinkos had made for their stores. I'm even seeing more gas stations running continual infomercials on little tv's that are built into every pump. That seems to have no gone over very well as they're constantly being busted out. Apparently, people don't like being annoyed with sappy loud infomercials while pumping gas, and the heavy pump handle is just too delicious an "off button".