Dining acoustics....

Having recently pondered this subject and seriously considering springing for a db meter after several loud experiences here in RVA, it was quite amusing to see some um..."science" behind acoustic disruptions/stimulations while dining (a distinction to be made between loud patrons vs loud restaurants or generally poor acoustics), this excerpt from -
In pursuit of Silence by George Prochnik

A study completed in the summer of 2008 in France found that when music was played at 72 decibels, men consumed an average of 2.6 drinks at a rate of one drink per 14.51 minutes. When the sound level was cranked up to 88 decibels, the numbers spiked to an average of 3.4 drinks, with one consumed every 11.47 minutes.

Ah...statistics !