An empty seat at a prime location unused is a waste. Unless there is some exigency, I can't see what the problem is. You can always vacate back to your previous seat, which, I presume, nobody really wants.
Ethics of Switching Seats at a Classical Concert
- Thread starter Ron Resnick
- Start date
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Precisely
Hells Angels don’t go to classical music presentations nor have I ever seen an ill spirited person who puts up a fight because you’re in their seat
It just doesn’t happen
You merely excuse yourself and return to your assigned seat
If you can't afford a good seat @ your favorite music hall for your favorite artist performers, you're already in trouble. 
* @Steve, I was simply sharing humor with Marc.
Of course Hells Angels don't go to classical music concerts.
I still believe that well behaved people remain in the seats that they bought. In general.
In the past it happened that I switched (rarely). It 'deconcentrated' me from the music listening...having that second thought after the move, psychologically, for a moment.
Some people have it in them, others not.
** @ first I was going to vote yes and feel good about it.
On second thought I was afraid to vote no. Not because what Ked said (I knew he was 100% humorous), but only because that was not the norm.
@ the end it simply doesn't matter...it's all fun anyway. But no, I don't switch seat, I sit where the ticket I bought tell me where to sit, and that's it. And if I do witch seat, be it, it feels good too to be a little mischievous. We know the looks on other people's faces if we look @ them.
* @Steve, I was simply sharing humor with Marc.
Of course Hells Angels don't go to classical music concerts.
I still believe that well behaved people remain in the seats that they bought. In general.
In the past it happened that I switched (rarely). It 'deconcentrated' me from the music listening...having that second thought after the move, psychologically, for a moment.
Some people have it in them, others not.
** @ first I was going to vote yes and feel good about it.
On second thought I was afraid to vote no. Not because what Ked said (I knew he was 100% humorous), but only because that was not the norm.
@ the end it simply doesn't matter...it's all fun anyway. But no, I don't switch seat, I sit where the ticket I bought tell me where to sit, and that's it. And if I do witch seat, be it, it feels good too to be a little mischievous. We know the looks on other people's faces if we look @ them.
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Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
BobIf you can't afford a good seat @ your favorite music hall for your favorite artist performers, you're already in trouble.
You totally miss the point
If it's a high class classical music performance where all the musicians wear tux and black dresses with black polished shoes, there's nothing wrong to dress similar to them...it matches the frontstage looks. And it's fine too if you don't dress in black but in vibrant colors like pink and yellow and orange. But please sit @ the very rear end of the music concert hall, to no distract others.
What about you Ked; what's your favorite accoutrement when you go to a music recital or symphony or opera or ballet or church choir? ...Jeans and black t-shirt with cowboy boots? ...Baseball cap?
I won't wear jeans to a classical concert unless its a stated casual affair - in LA that's practically formal
most ladies like to dress up a bit for the symphony so happy to oblige them. business casual is my route
But then you won't be able to tell yourself that you are ethical and fit to save the world
On week days, trousers and shirt with the casual shoes I wear between work and office (my formal shoes I leave at work). On weekends, jeans/khaki t-shirts.
I think people should stop a fake sense of propriety for classical and just get on with the music like one gets on with a movie.
That means changing seats and moving to the music
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I agree about no jeans. I’ve never dressed to the 9’s for a symphony but rather typically “California casual”
Steve, I always miss the point, and I always will.
Now with that said, regular music concert goers buy seasonal/yearly seat tickets.
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Those are the ones who typically don’t show up for all performances IME
Lolllllll
I have zero problem wearing a nice pair of clean jeans with nice shoes and a nice jacket; I'm not there for a fashion show but for the music.
And I have zero issue with playing musical chair @ music concerts (any genre) and @ movie theaters...none whatsoever if nobody gets hurt.
I know though some people from my close entourage who would never dare to do such switches @ music events and movie presentations. I respect that but they make me miss the better experiences from films and music in such circumstances.
On the other hand there are other groups of "more advanced" people for who it's normal custom.
I enjoy more the presence of people from that later category.
You could put me in the majority of WBF voters.
And with 100% full absolute respect for the 'no' voters, and the non voters (abstainees).
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Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
I go to at least 1 if not 2 a month... (Classical)... mostly either Benaroya or Cornish
Kedar, It's not clear to whom you refer or what you mean by "well dressed up".
I remember moving to Boston from Chicago when I was seventeen. My parents had taken me to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra growing up. There was even a local symphony in Rockford, IL. which we attended regularly. That orchestra is now long gone. My mother was shocked that men and women wore sweaters to the BSO. Chicago was much more formal in the 60s and 70s. It may still be today, though I don't really know. I still wear jacket and tie to the symphony, as well as to dinner, even on Friday afternoons. It was how I was raised. I wore suits in Vienna. That was the norm there, at least in December. I have friends who wear a tuxedo during opening night, though that is increasingly rare.
Today, the audience in Boston is fairly mixed in terms of clothing. I do see jeans at the BSO, mostly worn by the Berkeley music students who, I think, get discounted tickets. It is also a generational thing. People do what makes them feel comfortable these days as rules of etiquette are increasingly relaxed. Interestingly, someone does flash reminders on stage to turn off cell phones and to not take pictures. I am often not surprised that such reminders are increasingly necessary.
Ideally, those who purchased tickets would notify the box office if they could not attend. That way, seats would open up, and a new ticket could be sold to those willing to pay for a better seat, but who were previously denied because those seats were sold out. This way, the new patron benefits as well as the organization because more tickets are sold. Presumably, that might also benefit the musicians with higher pay. These organizations are always looking for more revenue. At the BSO, this often happens, because ticket holders who can't attend, also want the tax benefit. It seems a win/win.
This might even be a higher form of "Pareto Optimality".
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Here’s what I find personally interesting.
Whenever I go to the symphony I typically dress California casual which means I may or may not wear a sport jacket but I’d never wear a tie
Yet............
Whenever I go to the opera, for reasons I cannot explain, I dress with a tie and jacket
Whenever I go to the symphony I typically dress California casual which means I may or may not wear a sport jacket but I’d never wear a tie
Yet............
Whenever I go to the opera, for reasons I cannot explain, I dress with a tie and jacket
Exactly. We don't get the seats because they at sold out. So when we go there of the seats are empty we sit on a sold out seat. It's a win win. Peter is leaving society's money on the table
Double dip for Pareto Optimality. We can have a long discussion here about all the pros and cons ...
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