self entitlement/rude behaviour

[bwayphreak234]

Wow BroadwayFan... really? I am 6'2" and I would never slouch for someone. That idea in and of itself is just ludicrous. If it's such a problem get a booster, bring a pillow to sit on, or just don't go.

[SNAFU]

I am 6'3". I am very aware of the people behind me. Remember that leg room in most theatres is virtually non existent. It is VERY hard to slouch or slide down comfortably for 2 and somewhat hours. What I am considerate of is, I make myself as comfortable as possible and lean one way or the other to allow people behind me to see and I remain in that position for the entire time.
There was one time when I saw CURTAINS a guy who had to be 6'9" sat in front of me. He rocked rhythmicly letf and right during the whole first act. Drove me INSANE! It caused me to have to rock and everyone behind me. Luckily for act two a group of people in our row didn't return so we slide down a couple seats.

[Barcelona]

I sat next to the aisle at Newsies earlier this week and they were seating latecomers at least 45 minutes into the first act. I actually missed a lot of what was going on onstage because I was constantly getting up to let people in. One of the late couples spent the entire show snuggling and didn't applaud once.

The lady beside me also got up to go to the bathroom literally right as the entr'acte ended. What did she think intermission was for?

[BroadwayFan12]

I guess my idea was a little stupid, but no more stupid than expecting a 22 year old to sit in a booster seat.

[bwayphreak234]

^ At the theatre I work at, shorter patrons ask if they can bring a pillow to sit on or grab an extra seat cushion from hat check which we permit... I do not see anything wrong with it, and it is actually pretty common.

[GavestonPS]

dramamama, of course, you are entitled to say anything you like to your companion. If I overhear you, I will probably turn around, express my sympathy and ask whether I can help by leaning toward my husband. Then, like SNAFU, I will try to sit very still during the performance.

You can even speak to me directly and if we can work out an arrangement, I'll be glad to oblige. I get no pleasure from blocking anyone's view.

I really was just talking about people who make a public commotion about it. (As you may have surmised) it takes a lot to embarrass me, but I don't think my height warrants a conversation with 5 or 6 rows of people.

[yankeefan7]

DeClarke- My wife is short (5ft 1) and knew when the person who sat in front of her came she would have trouble seeing the show. (Jersey Boys). I noticed a user walking with a booster for a young person and when she came back asked her if my wife could have one. She said "no problem" and returned right before show started with it and it saved the show for my wife.

[SNAFU]

There is NOTHING WRONG with a 22 year old using a booster if needed! Seems the problem lies with you.

It is kind of a sense of entitlement to expect a taller person in front of you to slouch during the whole performance because you might feel asking for a booster is embaressing to you.

[Marianne2]

I saw a couple of girls who were over 17, but younger than 20 ask for one of the booster seats and we were in the front row of the orchestra. Neither of them were abnormally short. We were at the Broadway Theatre for Shrek. They aren't like child booster seats. It's just a plastic thing that anyone should be able to sit on if they desire.

That is also an example where being in the front row does not guarantee you a perfect view. The stage is so high.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Try not calling it a booster seat...

Try calling it a height adjuster.

[GavestonPS]

And what if the booster seat then causes the view of the person behind to be blocked? How is that resolved?

[K8eeyore]

I went to JERSEY BOYS in Chicago with my dad and my aunt. During the entire first act, the woman behind us sang along with every song, and not under her breath, either. Normally I let things go because I hate conflict, but I could tell my dad was getting seriously ticked (and I knew he'd never say anything), so I turned around at intermission and politely asked her to please stop singing along.

She proceeded to tell me off for "telling her what to do," and that she had paid a lot of money for her seats and if she wanted to sing, she would sing. I (again politely) pointed out that we had paid for our tickets, too, and we wanted to hear the actual actors doing the show, and she continued to ream me. After that, I knew I was not going to be polite anymore, so I turned around and tried to let it go.

Which was difficult, as she then started bitching loudly to her male companion about how rude some people were, who did I think I was, etc, etc. This continued for the entire intermission, and when the show started again -- you guessed it -- she continued to sing along, this time in a way that made it clear she was intentionally trying to bother us. She eventually stopped, though I think it was because she didn't know some of the songs.

[GavestonPS]

K8eeyore, I am so sorry. This is why it's important not to use crude language too casually.

Save the very worst words for people such as that woman.

[turquoisefish]

I keep reading stories like these and I really think theatre etiquette is getting worse. I was in London yesterday and saw The Sunshine boys in one of the few air-conditioned theatres London has . A lady 2 seats down from me had an electric fan on from the moment she sat down, I thought she would turn it off when the play started, she didn't so when an opportune moment came I asked her to turn it off. Her and her friend tutted a bit but did. They mumbled several times, i couldn't work out exactly what about but about me, one thing I did catch was a moan about me moving in my seat. I wasn't moving much and she only noticed because she spread into my seat!
Was I in the wrong asking them to turn the fan off? there really was no need for it - the lady the other side of me even covered her lap with her cardigan as it was pretty cool in there.

[DEClarke]

yankeefan7, that's great! I'm 6'1", and I have no qualms with anyone of any age using something to boost their height and help them see a show. At 6'1" there have been a handful of occasions where I wish I was taller so I could see better (mostly at standing room/GA concerts). However, one time in Dallas, TX (at Dallas Music Hall) when I saw PoTO in the back row of the Orchestra seating level, even I needed a booster to see anything. It happens. I was 23 at the time and not upset to use a booster. There was no shame in it. My whole party got boosters so we could see. My wife actually had to use two boosters.

[DefyGravity777]

"Tall people, please shut the f up. I just "saw" Newsies and Once this week and couldn't see much of the stage at either show because of tall people in front on me. If I wanted to merely listen to the shows, I'd have listened to the cast recordings. If you refuse to slouch in order for a fellow patron to see the stage, you should pay for their ticket. Yes, I'm completely serious."


You have got to be kidding me. I'm not going to pay for someones ticket just because I happen to be taller than them. If you would get a booster seat and sit in front of me blocking my view would you pay for my ticket since I wouldn't be able to see???

[BroadwayFan12]

I exaggerated the other day because I was very very pissed off at the time. I would never actually ask or expect someone to pay for my ticket because of their height, but do I think it should be a policy for rude/disruptive audience members to pay for the tickets of the people near them who were disturbed. It would decrease that kind of behavior, that's for sure. Height is different because it's not a behavior.