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I feel as if an awful lot of us have forgotten what this means... so here's the definition:
Etiquette ('etikit; -,ket): The customary code of polite behavior in society among members of a particular profession or group. In this case, the particular group are concert goers. Let's discuss the problems that plague the concert experience and discuss what should be included in the customary code of POLITE BEHAVIOR whilst attending a show...
1. Cell Phones should be OFF. Not on vibrate, certainly not ringing, and DEFINITELY should NOT be answered. What could be so GOD DAMNED IMPORTANT that you would answer and SCREAM in the ears of all the attending patrons around you?! If it truly IS an emergency- I've a sneaking suspicion that you'd LEAVE and attend to what ever has gone wrong! Don't be that kid with the phone who acts as if they'd rather be tea bagged than enjoying the show. I've been called by people who were at concerts... you know what they were doing? GLOATING. They were rubbing it in my face that I wasn't there! What does this tell me?? THAT PEOPLE ON CELLS AT CONCERTS ARE SMUG SWINE. Do me a favor the next time you see a kid on a cell phone durnig a show. Slap them. Bitch slap them so hard the phone flies into the crowd- then momentarily point and laugh at them.
2. Chatter Boxes: Now, cell phones are bad enough. What's worse? Those who feel the need to converse at banshee defying octaves with their buddies in the middle of a booming concert... I'm rather sure your friends don't really give a shit about whether or not that asshole called you, but you know who cares EVEN LESS? ME! (and everyone else around you). Conversations are to be held ONLY between sets, songs, or in dire and extreme emergencies ONLY. Everyone spent copious amounts of money to attend this concert... and your misconceptions of witty banter were NOT part of the charges. I will say it now so I don't have to say it to you at the concert: SHUT THE FUCK UP.
3. Concert Kareoke: OK. I love the music. I love hearing it. I love singing (out of tune) to it in my car and shower... I know that in the heat of the moment- I will find myself singing along to the songs without realizing I am even doing it. It's embarrassing, but it's a part of the genetic makeup of a passionate music fan. I get that. When I'm at a show- it's hard not to sing along. I admit, I will do it... but there is one rule: NEVER BE LOUDER than the people performing it. Seriously, NEVER interfere with the ability to HEAR THE BAND. I am exhausted by the drunken tone deaf hordes of wolverines who wail at the top of their lungs-and don't even get the lyrics right half the time. So, here's MY solution to this epidemic, be like Britney and LIP SYNC.
4. The Great Height Debate: OK This is a sensitive subject for me. I'm 5'2". I was born in this vertically challenged body. I had no say in the matter. I know that you Amazonian Goddesses and Nordic Gods also had no say in your exquisitely elongated frames. Forgive me for saying this but, WHY THE HELL do you insist on being UPFRONT? You can literally stand anywhere and have a better view than most people. I try to get up front out of pure necessity, because I would like to actually SEE who I came to see. There's no way for me to achieve this any other way than right up front uncomfortably smashed into an amp or someone's back. I'm a magnet for the freakishly tall- every show somehow ends with me staring at the small of some giant's back. I know you can't help it, you oversized freaks... just do me a favor, and be SELF AWARE. If you're a big beautiful and well designed person of height, take a moment to look behind you, are you in front of someone much smaller than you, ask them if they would like to be in front of you. Give them the greatest concert gift of all-- a chance to see.
5. The Overprotective Boyfriend: You know who you are. You took your 85 pound girlfriend to a GA show where you're guarenteed a lot of physical contact and violence. You're in the trenches, she stands in front of you, and you immediately assume the position. An awkward human body bubble of protection. Any human that comes within a 1 foot perimeter will get shoved and elbowed by you. It doesn't matter who comes near... they will be punished for your mistake of bringing that oversexed lollipop to the show. If you want to take your delicate little flower to a concert, please, get seats, or stand way in the back. Oh also, don't you DARE hoist her up and put her on your shoulders. You're not circus performers, and you've literally just obstructed the view of HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. I swear to god, if I see some douche do this with his spider monkey of a girlfriend one more time, I will get an axe and cut you down like the world's most idiotic and inconsiderate tree.
6. The Crowd Molesters: You're in the pits with hundreds upon hundreds of people. There is human flesh pressed up against every square inch of you. You know it cannot be helped, but then, something grabs you... or rather, your more intimate parts. You try to swat the hand away but it persists. Then you begin to feel a firming pressure slowly encroach on the back of your leg, the small of your back, or where ever. Some disgusting son of a bitch is sexually harassing YOU. It would be helpful if you could scream, but guess what? You're at a concert, no one would hear you. You manage to get a punch in, maybe dig your nails into the flesh of their roaming hands... but the damage is done. It's never acceptable to do this boys. No wonder we have overprotective boyfriends in the crowd. Keep your goddamned fucking grubby ass hands to YOURSELF.
7. The Weasels: You've just waited in the GA line for a few hours, you rushed the stage, and have successfully staked your spot in the audience for optimal viewing. The show begins without a hitch and you're having a kick ass time. Until... the surrounding environment alters... there are people inching in from all directions who weren't there before. Every small opening is filled with another person- WEASELING their way in to the front. They'll go "OH HEY! THERE YOU ARE- Excuse me I want to get to my friend" and then shove their way into the crowd. There's the "beer run" douchebags that'll plow their way back in to further intoxicate their pack. Weaseling is rude and it tells us point blank that these people think that they are better than us, and that despite OUR efforts to be up front, they deserve to be there more. Oh, and why is it that these weasels always seem to be 6'8"?? Don't be a weasel, if you get in late, stake a spot that reflects your tardiness.
8. The Monkeys: Or those who throw SHIT at the performers. What the hell is that? Did you PAY to get in and harass the band? Was there some secret vendetta? A score to settle? What is the motive behind these immature acts? I've actually seen performers stop performing because of these apes. I would also like to add in another form of primate shinnanegans, SHINING shit into a performers eyes with laser pointers or other various light sources. What gives? Act like a somewhat civilized homo-sapien, toss nothing and shine nothing in the musicians eyes. The only acceptable monkey-like behavior is howling and screaming when it comes time for applause.
9. The Haters: This is a problem that plagues almost every show I attend. Hate. Hate towards the opening act. Impatient huffs ensue, and jaded taunts of BOO resound endlessly during the opener's mini-set. Look, they may not be who you came to see, but, please give them a chance! There was a day when the band you came to see was in the same position... so pay it forward. Who knows, maybe if you actually paid attention instead of being a dick you might hear something you like! The same rule applies for double billing and festivals. If you didn't come for every band on there, keep an open mind and show some respect. I don't see your ridiculous ass on that stage- so obviously these people have more luck and talent than you do.
10. The Crowd: Swayers, Surfers, Moshers, and Normal Fans alike... Listen, we are all here for the same reason- THE BAND. Do your part and act like the evolved species that we are. If you're surfing, try not to kick anyone in the head. If you're moshing, make sure those around you are active participants, and not there accidentally. Don't start fights (or at least try not to). This may sound like common sense, but I have learned that there is no such thing. Don't get me wrong, there's sense, but it certainly ain't common. Be considerate. Lend a helping hand if someone falls down.
I know it's hard out there, but these are some little things we can do to help. Concert Etiquette is not dead, it's just been forgotten. Let's help 'em all remember, shall we?
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