Sensory
overload is apparently a common problem in supermarkets and one Adelaide
supermarket is doing something about it. They are creating a one hour quiet
time to allow affected customers to limit their exposure to all the bells and
whistles that come with modern shopping.
The
problem has been particularly connected with customers who gave sensory
perception disorder which is common in autism, although many people suffer some
form of sensory overload. Feeling uncomfortable in large crowds is one
indicator. It is all caused by the noise of cash registers, the beeping of
machines, coffee grinders, PA announcements, and so on. During quiet time in
this Adelaide supermarket the bakery shuts down, cleaning activities are
suspended, the cash register sounds are turned down, music and PA announcements
are turned off, and lighting is reduced. The trial has been conducted in
association with disability services provider CARA, and operates between 6:30
and 7:30 on a Tuesday. Results so far have been positive.
If
we were to introduce something similar at QVM we could perhaps look at banning
spruiking and PA announcements, putting rubber wheels on storage boxes and
definitely banning radio music. But the one market activity that upsets my
sensory perceptions more than any other is bashing those sliding racks against
boxes or fittings to free up the slide mechanism. Some traders need to invest
in new racks or at least lubricate their current fittings.
Noise
and atmosphere are considered desirable attributes for a public market but
maybe we could give consideration to this quiet initiative or at least tackle
the extreme sounds that are likely to deter
some customers (and cranky editors).