A lesson in concert etiquette

Herald staff writer

Recently I attended a Brooks & Dunn concert at the Tacoma Dome. Normally this wouldn't be something to write home about, but I learned that not everyone is aware of normal concert etiquette.

Before I go any further I feel it is necessary to indulge in a little background about myself. I'm not an argumentative person. For some reason, my brain shuts down when I get angry.

It's always about two hours later that I come up with the brilliant comebacks and am left with no one to spit them at. This hasn't always been a curse though. Twenty-twenty hindsight has left me grateful that I haven't always had something witty to say.

Another thing you should know is that my taste in music is broad. I can listen to everything from opera to hard rock. I've attended various concerts with different crowds and atmospheres. I've attended Brooks & Dunn twice before this Tacoma Dome incident. So with this knowledge … on to my story.

In an effort for some mother-daughter bonding time, my mother purchased a couple of tickets to a Brooks & Dunn concert. We arrived at the Tacoma Dome with plenty of time to spare and proceeded to our seats. My mother was extremely giddy and absolutely adorable.

Our seats were on the aisle, thirteen rows up from the floor, in the seating adjacent to the stage. Needless to say, they were awesome!

After the opening performances, the arena buzzed with a crowd excited to see Brooks & Dunn. In the seat next to me, my mother was trying to look like the concert was no big deal and sat wringing her hands.

When Brooks & Dunn finally entered, the crowd went wild. Everyone was standing and singing along with their first, second and third songs. All of the sudden there was a tap on my shoulder.

The gentleman, I'm being nice right now, sitting behind us inquired if my mom and I were going to sit down anytime soon. I brought to his attention that he was the only one sitting, and extended an invitation to join us and the crowd in having a good time dancing.

To my dismay the "gentleman" got out of his seat and proceeded to stand directly in-front of my mother blocking her view. Calmly, I switched my mother seats and continued to enjoy the concert. Again he tried to intimidate me, and I responded by asking him to enjoy the concert.

He retreated, and it was around this time the audience member seated directly behind the "gentleman" started noticing he was being rude. All of the sudden they all started screaming and cheering trying to be as obnoxious as possible while invading his space. One woman in particular was pulled back by her husband because she was exceptionally rowdy.

Brooks & Dunn started playing one of their slow songs and as I went to sit down my mother calmly stopped me. She explained that while she was watching the "gentleman" had poured soda pop all over my chair.

This "gentleman" was probably in his upper 50s. I only bring the age up because it wasn't some punk kid that was throwing a temper tantrum. Instead it was an adult.

I was furious and the brain shut down. I didn't say anything, but simply sat down in a dry empty seat on the other side of my mother.

From this experience I decided it was time to explain concert etiquette.

? If everyone around you is standing you have two choices, join them in the fun or be angry at them. If you choose to be angry it is your fault for having a bad time.

? It is polite to sit when a slow song is being played. Some cute couples will probably stand, but as a general audience member be polite.

? If you never want to stand during a concert, get seating that is at least 30 rows away from the floor. Most venues offer large screen monitors that allow you the best view of whoever is performing. If this isn't acceptable you might consider buying the CD and staying home.

? Know the kind of crowd that will be attending the concert with you. Meaning if you love Britney Spears but don't want to be in the crowds of screaming teenagers, sit accordingly. Don't ruin someone's experience because they are more excited about the event than you are.

? Last, but not least, thinking ahead will make your concert experience more enjoyable.

In the end the "gentleman" ended up leaving before the concert was over. Not because of my mother and I, but because his buddy asked if they were "really going to stay for the whole thing." That left me with the impression that they weren't really there for Brooks & Dunn's music, but more for the bragging rights of being there.

In the end my mom and I had a blast. We made a pact to not let the "gentleman" ruin our fun. We made the choice to have fun regardless, and we did. For the first time ever I witnessed my mom "boot, scoot and boogie'n."

Jonda Pingetzer is the Columbia Basin Herald design chief. When not tending to the lovable Ellie May, she is being far too patient with rude strangers and demonstrating an amazing ability to enjoy time with her mother despite a "gentleman's" tantrum.