faux news blaring in optometrist office. i left

[Liberal_in_LA]

In Los Angeles and with a zillion cable channels the decision to blare faux news on the only big ass TV in the waiting room is done deliberately to educate the masses. I quietly left, had already signed in.

I have never done that before. Got fed up.


They called me. I didn't pick up.

[MADem]

1. I would have said "I am leaving and here's why."

How will they learn, unless you teach them?

The safe default is CNN--that offends everyone equally, it seems.

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. i have a recent text from them and email I can reply to. will do soon

[MADem]

12. I walked out of a car repair shop that was blaring Limbaugh once.

I asked the guy to change the channel because it was very offensive and divisive, and he refused. So I "refused" to give them my business.

But here's the best part--a little old lady who was behind me in line followed me out the door, and said "I can't stand that asshole, either!"

We both took our business elsewhere!

[Zoeisright]

16. Me too.

I always speak up. If they won't change the channel, they don't get my money.

[Mojorabbit]

35. Waited three months for an appt with the rheumatologist

and told him I was not coming back. Rush on at level 15. My blood pressure was through the roof before I ever got seen.

[Liberal_in_LA]

17. usually the remote is nearby in auto shops so i can change tHe channel

[freshwest]

41. +1

[msongs]

2. shoulda spoke up and let them know...even a statement that you don't want to

see any political stuff while you are in the waiting room might have helped.

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. yes, instead i snuck to my car like a coward

[KharmaTrain]

47. You're Not A Coward...

...you were being diplomatic. It wouldn't have done any good to make a scene. As others have suggested, I'd send a note (if calling isn't comfortable) and tell them why you left. Maybe they'll try to make it up to you somehow. I have walked out of businesses that either show faux noise or blare hate radio...it's one thing if they listen in their offices, it's another thing when they force that propaganda on me when I have to wait.

Cheers...

[leftynyc]

49. A coward would have stayed

and then come here and bitched about it. You did the right thing and didn't feel the need to make a scene. Send that email you spoke about earlier on the thread and let them know the reason.

[0rganism]

3. I think it would be effective to let them know why you left

If they know that their zealotry is costing them money and possibly reputation, I think they'd be more likely to moderate their approach.

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. a zimmerman segment was about start. it hit me emotIonally, welled up in me to flee

[PearliePoo2]

4. Yes..you need to tell them...

why you left!

[Skittles]

8. I ask them to change it

I only leave if they refuse

[Mariana]

29. Then they just turn it back after you leave.

Better to deprive them of your business altogether. Make it cost them to play that crap.

[Skittles]

30. OR it could be just the assholes on duty

[L0oniX]

9. I have told them to change it now or I leave ...now. The 2 times I did that they changed it.

Both times they asked why. I called it a propaganda channel for morons. If ya don't speak up then you own it.

[FLyellowdog]

10. I ask to sit in the inner waiting room at my doctor's

because of the FOX tv. And I always say why. It makes me feel good. I once told them the reason my blood pressure was a little elevated was because of FOX news. The nurse laughed.

[Liberal_in_LA]

15. lol. good for you

[obliviously]

11. Was it a charity visit

or did you have to pay to listen to that rubbish?

[Liberal_in_LA]

14. i and my insurance would have beem paying for the honor

[JeffHead]

13. I feel sorry for the people who stayed.

There is not a pair of glasses known to man that will fix their blindness.

[broiles]

18. My gym now changes the channel automatically when I come in.

[GoCubsGo]

53. Mine has had it on fewer and fewer of their TVs over the past year.

They have TVs all over the place, and most of them are on channels like CNN and all of the ESPNs they can get. There is a set in the women's lounge. If nobody is watching, and it's set to Fox"News", I change it, even if I am not watching it. I have been having to do that less and less often lately.

[Fla_Democrat]

19. Let me guess....

You just couldn't see, sitting there being exposed to it?

[Liberal_in_LA]

21. exactly

[senseandsensibility]

20. I told the woman in the bank (actually a credit union) we were thinking of transferring

our savings to that we were not going to patronize them because they were playing FAUX loudly in two places in their office. Completely unnecessary to be playing any TV (most banks don't do this) but if it is required for some reason, a neutral program of some kind, preferably non-political, would be the way to go I would think. Anyway, after we told her she just gaped at us. Literally. She was completely floored and did not even answer. So we left, they lost our business, and she still probably has no clue what we were talking about . And yes, we were calm, polite, and offered a brief explanation of our objection to the channel. When we received an open mouth bug-eyed blank stare, I thought it best to cut our losses and leave.

On the other hand, one of our favorite restaurants ( a chain) started to blare FAUX in the bar, we wrote to the corporate offices, and the next time we visited it was on CNN. It's been on CNN every time since. I'm also not a fan of CNN, but you've got to pick your battles.

[Liberal_in_LA]

23. a small clothing store was blaring explcit rap . n-word, anti.women lyrics

Store also gaped at me. Middle age powers thinking they are appealing to young shoppers... I guess

[CK_John]

22. You do realize they are paid by Fox to have the TV set to their station. Usually

they supply the TV and provide the cable provider.

[Liberal_in_LA]

24. ohhhhhhh! didnt know that

[Mr. David]

25. And Fux should lose money for their bullshit

How would they even track them down?

Just erase Fux from the channel lineup. Problem solved.

[pipi_k]

32. I didn't know that either, but...

and here's where I get to be the huge pain in the ass for everyone who thinks it's OK to demand that businesses change the channel on their TVs...

even if a business wasn't "forced" to show Fox on its TV, I can't figure out what problem people have with it being on if the sound is lowered, or if they bring something with them to drown out the bullshit.

I despise Fux News as much as anyone does, but...it's not my right to tell people or businesses what they should or should not be showing on their TVs.

Seems to me that most everyone here is old enough to figure out that if they're going to go someplace where they'll have to wait, it might be a good idea to bring an iPod or something just in case Fux News is blathering away in the background. Or in-your-face.

True, they shouldn't have to...but sometimes we do things to lessen the aggravation to ourselves out in the real world.

Is it really only about not being able to stand Fux News oneself?

Or...as I suspect...is it more about trying to censor what other people see or hear? Would anyone here complain about a station tuned to Liberal matter blaring in the background? Probably not. Hell no! Turn it up, right?

I read a post some months back where someone was in an appliance store where all the TVs were tuned to Fux News. I'm pretty sure the OP told the owner/manager to change the channel and that s/he would be back some other time, whereupon if the channel was back on Fux News, his/her business would be lost.

That is one of the most disgusting demonstrations of censorship I've ever heard of.

Would that method be acceptable here if, say, some Teabagger type did it in the presence of a DUer to a business showing a Liberal station? No. And for good reason.

Fux News sucks big time.

But censorship sucks even more.


I dunno...maybe it's just me.

But businesses lose my patronage because of bad service. Or rude waitstaff. Or incompetence. Not because of what's on their TV sets.

[vanlassie]

36. Rude waitstaff NOT ok but rude tv IS ok?

FOX is a propaganda outfit. It's not censorship to complain and threaten to take one's business elsewhere rather than be subjected to rude propaganda.

[pipi_k]

54. When you go into

a restaurant, you are paying for food and ambiance. And service.

When you go into go into a business, you are paying for a product. Not for the privilege of listening to, or watching, whatever channel you want to watch while shopping or waiting.

And "propaganda"?

OK, I'll concede, it's propaganda to people on this side.

But there are just as many programs that are "propaganda" to people on the other side.

If it's your home, you get to decide what's on TV.

If it's a public place, you don't have the right to censor anything for anyone, except, of course, for yourself.

If listening to Fux News for 30 minutes is too traumatic, OK...leave. Or use an MP3 player. Or, like someone else did, ask to be placed in an inner waiting area. Personally, I thought that was the best (i.e. most mature) option.

But don't appoint yourself the Censor in Chief for everyone else.

[LanternWaste]

59. Which is why, I would imagine, the individual in the OP simply left.

"But don't appoint yourself the Censor in Chief for everyone else..."

Which is why, I would imagine, the individual in the OP simply left-- as no one believes they are indeed or in fact, the Censor in Chief, regardless of snide implications to the contrary.

[pipi_k]

60. Well...

I still think it's childish to leave just because of what's on the TV, and even more childish, and rude to boot, to just up and leave without a word.

In any case, leaving isn't a form of censorship, and any reference I made to people being Censors in Chief has nothing to do with the OP.

It's the ones who think they have the right to ask...or even demand...that business owners change the channel.

[vanlassie]

64. You don't think they have the right to ask.

The right? Ummm. I think they do. And the business owner has the right to chose not to respond. If they refused to use air conditioning in the heat if summer I might ask them to turn it on. And they could say no. And then they would know why they lost me as a customer. Free country all around. Nothing to do with rudeness OR censorship.

[Captain Stern]

46. Well said.

I can find enough reasons not to patronize a particular business without worrying about what channel they have their tv tuned to. I care more about how well they actually perform the service(s) that I'm paying for.

But, to each his own. I don't think there's anything wrong with letting a place know that that's why you won't be giving them any more business.

[pipi_k]

55. Yep...

At least if someone's going to leave and not patronize the business anymore, the best thing to do is to let the manager/owner know why.

At least it gives them the opportunity to say, "Meh. Whatever. At least it's not shitty service or rude employees or something like that".

Oh, and I would be willing to bet that many people who leave because of what's on the TV are also the types to leave crappy reviews on places like "Yelp". Not based on service or product... based on what's on the TV.

I see lots of dumb shits on Amazon.com reviews giving products a bad review based on things other than the product itself, like shipping time or the color wasn't exactly like it showed on their computers....yech.

[arely staircase]

63. any service that includes Fox News is per se shitty nt

[KharmaTrain]

48. My Difference...

...I don't care if they blast that propaganda in their offices or back room. That's their preference and I respect that. However, if I, as a paying customer, am forced to sit in a waiting room and that bullshit is playing, I firmly believe I have the right to ask that either the channel gets changed or turned off altogether. It's a matter of respect to the customer. In the past I have walked out of businesses that blast offensive right wing crap as I can almost always find another business that will appreciate my business and money more. They're welcome to watch that crap til it comes out their ears...I just don't have to "pay" for the "privileged" of hearing lies and slander...

[pipi_k]

56. If it's blasting...

and very loud, I would say, sure...why not ask to have it turned down.

So...what if you're sitting in a waiting room and what's on the TV is something acceptable to you, and someone comes in who's offended by it? This person asks the manager or owner to turn it off or switch channels...

Does that person not also have the right not to be subjected to things that offend him?


It's disturbing to see how many people think their rights are the only ones that matter...

[KharmaTrain]

58. If Given My Choice...

...I prefer a nice and quiet waiting room. Some of my doctors now show their own videos...like the wonders of dental implants or how your hemorrhoid is your friend...

To your question...if I was asked by someone to turn off or down something I was watching, I would have no problem. My comments were in regards to businesses that do blast stuff like hate radio or faux noise not those sitting in the room who have to endure it with me. Fortunately it's been a long time since I've had to confront this situation...fewer and fewer offices have radios in them these days. And as far as TV is concerned...one of these always come in handy:

[pipi_k]

61. Like you...

I also prefer to do my waiting in quiet whenever possible...

[burnodo]

57. any evidence for that assertion?

[Vinnie From Indy]

26. No harm in telling them!

Good for you for leaving! I have done the same on a few occasions.

[southernyankeebelle]

27. I know what you mean. I was in a waiting room today at the hospital and they had

this big tv on Fox. I tried to block it out because I was reading. I tuned it out as much as possible. I have been to doctors offices and have asked them to change the channel if I am the only person in the room. I tell them ok if you don't want to watch any other news channels then put it on a channel where we can watch anything but news. I only had one doctor that the doctor doesn't want the channel changed. I only went to him one time though. Never again.

[Liberal_in_LA]

28. it is sad that faux news needs forced viewers

[southernyankeebelle]

31. Well it will only change if when we go to places that have this vile station on ask them

to change the channel to a station other than news. I have done it and only one time the doctor said it has to stay on that channel. But seriously if everyone talks to the boss or to the hospital patient assistance office and they get lots of complaints then it will change.

[tiredtoo]

33. Have not read all the comments in this thread but

generally when i come upon a situation like this I politely tell some one that I am offended by their selection on the tv. I have received various replies including "we have no control over the tv" and "we have been instructed to not change the channel" sometimes they ask me what channel i prefer and have switched it for me. Keep in mind a polite calm approach is the most affective action.
If they tell me they have no control or were instructed to not change the channel i ask them to relay my message to the CONTROLLER of the tv.

[Kath1]

34. Ugh! I hate that station.

Myself and three GF coworkers went to a local bar recently for happy hour and the Faux News "Special Report" was on (loud). I asked the bartender to change the channel and she said she wished she could but management wanted it on. We made a game of it, watching intently and saying, all together, "That's a lie!" every time a ridiculous statement was made (about every minute and a half). Without comment, the channel was changed to CNN after 15 minutes. The bartender smiled and gave our table thumbs up. We left a big tip and the very nice young woman flashed us a peace sign on our way out and said, "You ladies rock!" Made my day!

[freshwest]

43. Perfect!

[Fumesucker]

50. Well done, you do rock.. n/t

[Liberal_in_LA]

67. great story!!!

[sarcasmo]

37. I don't get why there has to be a TV on in an office setting.

Take my wife to the Neurologist office every six month and they have a TV on and it's way to loud. Restaurants now have music and TV. It's the brain washed masses who won't ask, why the hell is this on? All we want to do is eat, get our car worked on, see the Doctor, the Dentist, get a haircut, without the TV on. End rant.

[MADem]

45. It's so common--everywhere you go. I'm old and crabby enough to ask for a channel change, now.

I usually--not always, but usually--get my way. I don't need to watch "my" political news, hell, I'll watch Leave It To Fricken Beaver, if that's the only other option, but I won't watch that Murdoch garbage.

People expect it--it's a way to sit in an uncomfortable seat for fifteen minutes to an hour, without having to interact with the other miserable people around you. It's considered a "plus" in most waiting areas...!

[Liberal_in_LA]

68. they have a lovely 100 gallon salt water tank. viewing the fish was accompanied by the faux bs

[rl6214]

38. Sounds like you have more problems than just your teeth

It's just a TV station. I just ignore it.

[Liberal_in_LA]

69. fu and optometrist dont work on teeth

[PD Turk]

39. The Volksempfänger

The Volksempfänger (German for "people's receiver&quot was a range of radio receivers developed by engineer Otto Griessing at the request of Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels.

The purpose of the Volksempfänger-program was to make radio reception technology affordable to the general public. Joseph Goebbels realized the great propaganda potential of this relatively new medium and thus considered widespread availability of receivers highly important.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volksempf%C3%A4nger

[freshwest]

44. And the purpose of the FCC as created by FDR was to maintain diversity of opinion so it wouldn't

happen here. Media saturation is killing us. They must use repetition or people would see thorugh them. That's why they insist. No respite, it would break the spell.

The most encouraging thing is that if the power went off, the zombies would wake up. Like blowing up the television transmitters in THEY LIVE.



Rot in hell, Ronnie Raygun with all of your Ayn Rand friends from your proto-teabagger reign.

[freshwest]

40. I just quit doing business with a repair shop I had rec'd to everyone and used for years.

They had a Rand Paul meme poster on the wall, never had anything political there before.

I said only as I left I would not be back. They seemed a bit confused after our years of doing business.

When rampant stupidity gets enough traction, it hurts people in real life.

I can't contribute to that. Good for you.

[olddots]

42. I pull a chair over to where the set is and pull the plug

fuck them this has to stop , is it the reception people , the doctors or some retched winger knuckle draggers going to waiting rooms and putting on fux ? complain or un plug we are not the only ones annoyed and we have to stop being bullied .

[Liberal_in_LA]

65. lol

[madrchsod]

51. simple solution for anywhere there`s a tv.....

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ed42/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tiny-TV-Remote-Control-and-BLOCKER-/230598115390

[Capt. Obvious]

52. You can sign the Memo on the check for the appointment you bailed on

"LEFT CUZ OF FOXNEWS"

They'll get the message.

[Tikki]

62. This is what I have done..

..walked up to the reception desk....told them I can't watch that crap you have on TV...If you want
me to keep my appointment I'll be in my car out front...come find me.


I understand not everybody arrives in a car of their own..maybe you could just step outside and have them come find you
or ask them if there is another room you could wait in or better yet 'turn that mess off' or change
the station.

Tikki

[Liberal_in_LA]

66. i could have done that

[Tikki]

70. I stayed out there about 5 minutes after my appointment time and one of the receptionists came..

out the door and waved me in. I told them my Dentist runs some point specific videos for his patients and
maybe they could look into that instead of offending some of those in the waiting room.

She didn't argue but she didn't say she would change anything.
I never went back because I found a doctor through the local Dem Club.


Tikki