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Sounds like you would have preferred straight up "turn that shit off, I'm not paying you to listen to music" from the boss. I've worked in jobs where we absolutely were not allowed to play music or listen to the radio because it was office work and "you won't hear the phone/doorbell/whatever". Current boss actually took away the speakers from the work computer so we can't turn on music at work. It's annoying because I never have music on loud enough not to hear the phone etc. and the place is generally quiet and boring that I would appreciate something in the background to help me concentrate, but all I can say is "yes sir no sir three bags full sir".
Like it or lump it, most workplaces will insist on "no distractions". Your boss, being a woman, was trying to manipulate you - but in a social manner, not the direct "turn that shit off because I'm the boss and I say so" that a man might do but the 'softer' way women do so as not to cause ruption in the relationship. Which didn't work, because you react badly to manipulation. But that's why she went the "you don't really like that kind of music, do you?" route instead of the "turn that shit off" route.
Damn it, I was hoping that the idea of playing music at work being the trigger would demonstrate how outsized and primal my reaction was. I'm definitely not complaining about my job or my boss - I love my work and my boss is great.
I mean, I am constantly amazed by all the SWE guys talking about how they just put on their headphones and block out the world. Not all of us have the kinds of jobs where we're allowed cut off all communication like that, we have to be constantly available. Some of it is petty micromanagement but when you can't simply say "fuck you" and walk straight into a new high-paying job, you have to go by the rules.
Though the current wave of tech layoffs might change that for people in such careers as well, who knows? The thing is that I do administrative/receptionist work, so I do have to be able to hear the phone ringing or people calling to the door and so on. But there's no reason that playing the classical music station at a low level would interfere with that, which is why I'm disgruntled. Ah, well. Work is not fun and not meant to be fun so all those going "make your job your passion" can stick it up their jumpers, I keep my passions for my time outside work.
This is why I loved the Covid lockdown because it engendered "working from home" for me, which I do most of the work week now for the past two (going on three) years. I want to play the radio station while I'm working? I can! I want to slob around in my pjs and slippers? I can! I want to take a break, put on a load of laundry or the mid-day meal or whatever? I can! Need to be home for a delivery or workmen calling or such? I can be! Bliss! 😁
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