I noticed a long time ago that the supermarket near where I live plays ‘Singing In the Rain’ as background music when it’s raining. I assume that it’s some sort of signal to the staff, or it might even be for the customers.
Anyway, I found out today (don’t ask how!) that it’s not just the local supermarket, and in fact that there are a whole range of signals sent by music in supermarkets. I suppose it’s like a non-verbal version of the London Underground’s ‘Inspector Sands’.
Taking Ito-Yokado (a supermarket chain in Japan) as an example, the following tunes mean different things:
– Daydream Believer, by The Monkees, is played when there’s nothing special happening;
– Help!, by The Beatles, can be played by checkout staff to call for extra help on the tills when there are large numbers of customers waiting;
– Carmen, by Georges Bizet, indicates robberies or other crimes in the store;
– And (this is one you never want to hear), Symphony No. 5 (1st Movement), by Beethoven (da-da-da-DUM), indicates a bomb threat!
Finally, there’s one probably targeted at customers rather than staff. Rhythm of the Rain, by The Cascades, informs shoppers that it’s raining.
So, if you’re in a supermarket in Japan, and you hear a rain-related song, you’ll likely need an umbrella when you leave. On the other hand, if you hear Beethoven, it might be a good idea to leave as quickly as you can!