A 2022 survey from OnePoll, a London market research company, asked Americans about their “Grinchiest places,” defined as December’s most stress-inducing settings. The results, including opinions on the songs heard at these locations, were reported on MSN.

No. 1 on seasonally uncomfortable sites were malls and shopping centers, followed by (in order) by airports and post offices.

Respondents aired what they found to be most objectionable about these spots. Unsurprisingly, crowds, lines, and noise rose to the top.

Specific to noise, the poll respondents cited the piped-in seasonal music that, over time, becomes more frustrating than festive.

The tunes identified as something 2022 shoppers could use less of are ranked as follows:

1. Tie: “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”: 25 percent
2. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock”: 23 percent
3. “All I Want for Christmas Is You”: 22 percent
4. “Feliz Navidad”: 21 percent
5. “Santa Baby”: 19 percent

Only titles were listed, not specific performers.

However, several titles are so associated with a particular singer — “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Mariah Carey), “Feliz Navidad” (José Feliciano) — identifying the likeliest angst-inducing song versions becomes easier.

More on the season’s Grinchiest places and the songs apt to be heard there is at MSN.

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VISTA.Today fans of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (No. 10 on a most-overplayed seasonal song list
that makes holiday settings “Grinchy”) can indulge one more time here; others who may have had their fill can quietly pass by.