The fact was that the music not only slowed down operational efficiency, but it also slowed down telephone users. “Even before the modification we realized that people telephoning in other parts of France, where there was no music, made their calls more quickly than the Parisians, who presumably were lulled by the fine music of Louise or the’Ode to Joy’ of Beethoven and paused to listen to it.”

Schafer, Murray R, The Soundscape- Our Sonic E…, loc. 818