Manners Matter: Concert Etiquette

Dear Mary Pat,

The last couple of concerts I’ve attended have really been annoying. I spent a lot of money on tickets to see two of favorite bands only to have people talking through the entire concert or on their cellphones. Then there are the ones who try to take video for an entire song while holding the camera up high, usually in my line of vision. What gives? I know I’m getting older but I remember when you could have heard a pin drop when a singer was talking to the crowd in between songs. Now they barely even pay attention. They miss some of the best stuff (when the band tells how a song was written or tells a good story from the road). And of course I miss it too since I can’t hear over the big mouth talking next to me.

Signed,

Shut It Already

Mundelein, Ill.

Dear Shut It Already,

Talking in concerts is rude, especially when they are dedicated performances with high price tickets versus festivals with people walking from one act to another.

As far as the videos, there are so many people trying to prove how much fun they are having that they miss what’s happening right in front of them. The shaky camera video isn’t going to be anywhere near as good as the memory of hearing the song live.

Good luck,

Mary Pat