Ethics of Switching Seats at a Classical Concert

[bonzo75]

OK, Kedar. I am stating my general position on this topic while you are now introducing specific cases which seem at odds with the other examples you mentioned and that I quoted. It's all fine. I think I know your answer to Ron's poll question and I think it differs from mine. Perhaps we can agree on that much.

BTW, since Ron removed the revelation of member names and how they voted, the voting results seem to be changing a bit, with many more people voting "NO". I find that to be quite interesting.

Where we disagree is what the switching is used for. If the switching was used for the same motive you allude to, I and more would have voted no

 

[marty]

So, the guy's money is totally wasted because he voluntarily bought a seat which he does not want. That's a good one. And somehow you refer to this as "society's money". You have totally lost me on this one. Perhaps you mean that society has subsidized the arts in your country, so everyone pays through taxes and then you as the concert goer are entitled to sit in the best seat possible, as long as it is available. But wait, you paid for your ticket, so how does that work?

I guess where you go to hear classical concerts, the ushers allow you to move up and get a better seat for free. You almost make it seem like you are making a sport of this. So, you know ahead of time that you are paying a lesser amount for a poor seat, and hoping that you can upgrade for free. Is that what you do? Really? But as I wrote before, it may just be cultural differences.

I thought we were talking about different seating sections for different prices and moving when you see a better seat that is empty than the one you paid for. To me, the practice you describe only makes sense if it is open seating for the same ticket prices. If people are not assigned seats, then it is a free for all and you can go to where you please. That is fine, but that is not what Ron's OP seems to be about. He described a whole plan of attack, seeing the target, and then going for it at the opportune moment. Sounds like you and he are describing different scenarios.

Peter,
I'll bet your experience at Boston Symphony Hall is like mine at Carnegie, where I often notice is that there are always a number of no-shows, and that's often common for the premium seats. I find this annoying and sad. I guess some folks just go on vacation, have other plans or just don't care and don't bother to find people to take their seats. If I can't do an exchange for another show, I often turn my seats into the box office as there are always people and students looking for seats. Sometimes these people just stand in front of the hall before concerts asking for tickets. As far as seat upgrades, it wouldn't bother me to switch seats if I felt the need since the money I spend for my patron donation far exceeds the cost of the seats. As long as they don't throw me out for trying, I'm OK with it. Then again, this is NY. They'd probably sue me or shoot me first for cultural insensitivity.
Marty

 

[PeterA]

Marty, Cultural insensitivity is an interesting topic for discussion. However, I think such a discussion would be censored in these pages, so best to be sensitive and abstain.

 

[NorthStar]

BTW, since Ron removed the revelation of member names and how they voted, the voting results seem to be changing a bit, with many more people voting "NO". I find that to be quite interesting.

I too find that interesting. It's pretty much 50/50 now.
And I remember @ the beginning it was 95/5 (with 12 votes in the Yes section, and only 1 in the No).

It's as if a veil has been removed; a veil of fear?

What a funny bunch.

 

[microstrip]

(...)
BTW, since Ron removed the revelation of member names and how they voted, the voting results seem to be changing a bit, with many more people voting "NO". I find that to be quite interesting.

Yes, Peter. It seems people feel free to vote when they do not risk being insulted because of the equipment they own ...

 

[bonzo75]

Yes, Peter. It seems people feel free to vote when they do not risk being insulted because of the equipment they own ...

That didn't happen. The sarcasm actually started because the person voted no, and could have been extended to any equipment they own. The way you write make it seems the other way round. But hey, when did you last make an accurate post?

 

[bonzo75]

 

[bonzo75]

Peter for you. Cheaper seat today, did not shift to more expensive empty seat as not required to in this hall

 

[PeterA]

Yes, Peter. It seems people feel free to vote when they do not risk being insulted because of the equipment they own ...

Exactly right.

And now the voting is almost evenly split. Strange the swing in the last day or so.

 

[NorthStar]

Words have a big impact ...

Pictures? Nah, they have zero impact; it's what inside the heart of the music.
I'm kidding; without pictures we are lost.
I'm @ lost for words ...

 

[PeterA]

Peter for you. Cheaper seat today, did not shift to more expensive empty seat as not required to in this hall

Kedar, that's an interesting use of the word "required". I have never felt "required" to shift into more expensive empty seats, by my own standards, or by anyone else's.

As I had suspected from your earlier posts too, you were not talking about same priced seats but rather moving from cheaper seats to more expensive empty seats when they are available. Here, you even confirm it, explicitly. You are not alone, as more people have voted "YES" so far.

There are the rules of the venue, the mores of the culture, and the ethics of the individual.

 

[NorthStar]

Is that seat still empty on that sailing boat, Peter?
I can bring my portable transistor AM mono radio. ...With mono headphones of course.
Nah, I just want to hear the gentle waves cutting through from the hull's sides and the wind caressing the mainsail. Sailing is like . . . feeling free with the elements...air and water.

* If ever we get closer to 100 votes I will vote.

 

[marty]

Does Peter give out the new Bose sunglasses/headphones when you board his boat? They seem to be quite the rage.
https://www.wsj.com/video/bose-fram...ses/E9E3099C-A97F-4718-92F6-F69C8D9145E9.html

 

[bonzo75]

Kedar, that's an interesting use of the word "required". I have never felt "required" to shift into more expensive empty seats, by my own standards, or by anyone else's.

As I had suspected from your earlier posts too, you were not talking about same priced seats but rather moving from cheaper seats to more expensive empty seats when they are available. Here, you even confirm it, explicitly. You are not alone, as more people have voted "YES" so far.

There are the rules of the venue, the mores of the culture, and the ethics of the individual.

You still cannot get past your own thinking.

At barbican, the cheaper seats are useless. You might as well go home then listen. Here, cheaper or expensive, it does not matter. Sonically. So, if you don't get a good sonics seat (read expensive) at barbican, the only way to watch the concert is to get in, and shift seats, else miss the concert.

All the ones I book here are cheaper. All the ones I book at barbican or royal festival hall are their most expensive. However, in those two halls when I don't get the right ones, I book what is available (which is always cheaper) and then shift to the explosive expensive seats.

I don't expect you to get this. You are too busy trying thinking ethical superiority where none exists

Or maybe you don't shift to the right seats so you think the BSO sounds like your Magico pass

 

[bonzo75]

It would be really good if those 10 who voted no actually disclose how many concerts they go to. Otherwise there are many armchair ethics experts who know how to save the world. Would also be good to know their opinion on if we should stop eating meat

 

[PeterA]

Is that seat still empty on that sailing boat, Peter?

Sadly, yes it is, Bob. Unfortunately, the sailboat will be launched three months late this season as I had an accident and the doctor told me not to take her out while in my cast and on crutches. So now I have more time to sit around at my computer and make poor arguments on audio forums.

You have an open invitation, Bob. Ron chose to listen to my stereo instead of sailing last Fall. No one has slipped into an empty seat on the boat without permission, to the best of my knowledge. The harbor and dock masters both keep a pretty close watch over the boats around here.

 

[PeterA]

Or maybe you don't shift to the right seats so you think the BSO sounds like your Magico pass

I sit in seats I purchase rather than shifting around. Sometimes they are on the right, sometimes they are on the left, but mostly, they are near the center. I prefer closer up to further away.

Microstrip was correct. It is not very nice to insult people because of the equipment they choose. And BTW, your comment above makes no sense. The stereo equipment is what attempts to reproduce the sound of a live orchestra if it is well captured on a recording. I think you got it backwards. It should read that the Magico/Pass sounds like the BSO. I suppose it depends on what one means by sounds "like". They certainly do not sound the same.

 

[Steve Williams]

Microstrip was correct. It is not very nice to make fun of people because of the equipment they choose.

I agree Peter with you and micro


Ked

In the past few days I’ve noticed several of your posts have become personal. Kindly make your point without insult. I’ve seen several you’ve hurled towards both Peter and micro. It’s not the way we prefer doing things here Ked. Kindly desist going forward

 

[bonzo75]

I agree Peter with you and micro


Ked

In the past few days I’ve noticed several of your posts have become personal. Kindly make your point without insult. I’ve seen several you’ve hurled towards both Peter and micro. It’s not the way we prefer doing things here Ked. Kindly desist going forward

I have not hurled insults towards Peter. He alluded to cultural and ethical superiority. Micro needs to control his own postings too his insults are not direct they are subtle.

 

[Steve Williams]

Ked

Please. Would you like be to show you some of your posts.

How about the one a few minutes ago to Peter where you seemed to be mocking his choice of speakers and electronics