Being a good audience

Audience Etiquette Survey

Audiences have different traditions in the ways they enjoy different kinds of events. We eat, talk, or cheer loudly at some events but not at others. Fill out the table showing the different kinds of audience traditions. Is the listed behavior always acceptable, sometimes acceptable, or never acceptable at each kind of event?

Eat?

Sporting Event: AlwaysMovie: AlwaysLive Theatre: SometimesRock Concert: AlwaysOrchestra Concert: NeverBallet: NeverOpera: Never

Talk?

Sporting Event: AlwaysMovie: NeverLive Theatre: NeverRock Concert: SometimesOrchestra Concert: NeverBallet: NeverOpera: Never

Cheer during action or performance?

Sporting Event: AlwaysMovie: SometimesLive Theatre: SometimesRock Concert: AlwaysOrchestra Concert: NeverBallet: SometimesOpera: Sometimes

Stand up or walk around during action or performance?

Sporting Event: AlwaysMovie: NeverLive Theatre: SometimesRock Concert: AlwaysOrchestra Concert: NeverBallet: NeverOpera: Never

Give a standing ovation?

Sporting Event: AlwaysMovie: SometimesLive Theatre: AlwaysRock Concert: AlwaysOrchestra Concert: AlwaysBallet: AlwaysOpera: Always

Applaud at end?

Sporting Event: AlwaysMovie: SometimesLive Theatre: AlwaysRock Concert: AlwaysOrchestra Concert: AlwaysBallet: AlwaysOpera: Always

Clap along in time to music?

Sporting Event: AlwaysMovie: NeverLive Theatre: SometimesRock Concert: AlwaysOrchestra Concert: NeverBallet: NeverOpera: Never

Leave during action or performance?

Sporting Event: AlwaysMovie: SometimesLive Theatre: NeverRock Concert: AlwaysOrchestra Concert: NeverBallet: NeverOpera: Never

Talk on a cell phone?

Sporting Event: SometimesMovie: NeverLive Theatre: NeverRock Concert: SometimesOrchestra Concert: NeverBallet: NeverOpera: Never

Text?

Sporting Event: AlwaysMovie: NeverLive Theatre: NeverRock Concert: AlwaysOrchestra Concert: NeverBallet: NeverOpera: Never

Take pictures?

Sporting Event: AlwaysMovie: NeverLive Theatre: NeverRock Concert: AlwaysOrchestra Concert: NeverBallet: NeverOpera: Never

The Ten Commandments of Audience Etiquette

From the Lincoln Center in New York

THOU SHALT NOT TALK

The first and greatest commandment. Stay home if you aren’t in the mood to give full attention to what is being performed on stage.

THOU SHALT NOT HUM, SING OR TAP FINGERS OR

FEETThe musicians don’t need your help,

and your neighbors need silence. Learn to tap toes quietly within shoes. It saves a lot of annoyance to others, and is excellent exercise to boot.

THOU SHALT NOT RUSTLE THY PROGRAM

Restless readers and page skimmers aren’t good listeners and greatly distract those around them.

THOU SHALT NOT CRACK THY GUM IN THY NEIGHBOR’S EARS

The noise is completely inexcusable and usually unconscious. The sight of otherwise elegant ladies and gentlemen chewing their cud is one of today’s most revolting and anti-aesthetic experiences.

THOU SHALT NOT WEAR LOUD-TICKING WATCHES OR JANGLE THY

JEWELRYOwners are usually immune, but the

added percussion is disturbing to all.

THOU SHALT NOT OPEN CELLOPHANE-WRAPPED

CANDIESNext to talking, this is the most

general serious offense to auditorium peace. If you have a bad throat, unwrap your throat-soothers between acts or musical selections. If caught off guard, open the sweet quickly. Trying to be quiet by opening wrappers slowly only prolongs the torture for everyone around you.

THOU SHALT NOT SNAP OPEN AND CLOSE THY

PURSEThis problem used to apply only to

women. But today, men often are equal offenders. Leave any purse, glasses case or what-have-you unlatched during the performance.

THOU SHALT NOT SIGH WITH BOREDOM

If you are in agony, keep it to yourself. Your neighbor may be in ecstasy — which also should be kept under quiet control.