Respect for the performer

How more touching does it get? Your second-born, on stage, sharing with the world his new passion for the clarinet at the school's fund-raising slash talent show. You are, at last, reaping the reward for hours and hours of painful practice - from the dreaded squeaks to the dead-on notes. Tear in the eye, heart beaming with pride. You are surrounded by parents who share your pride, most directing their full attention and their overboard enthusiasm towards ALL children in the show (they are all just so cute!).

Unfortunately, some folks come to these shows for the sole purpose of attending THEIR kid’s performance; they blatantly show that they could not care less for what is going on on stage when their offspring isn't in sight. If only they would yawn and doze off between the acts they came for... alas, they prefer to discuss household problems with their spouse, catch-up on the latest gossip with a fellow parent or ... well, "cell phone", need I say more?

Lesson for the day (long version) : When someone, especially a child, has gone through the trouble of preparing a performance (song, dance, lecture, etc), and you have CHOSEN to attend the event, you MUST show respect for ALL performers in the show by refraining from any disruptive behaviour (talking, phoning, fidgeting). Should you absolutely need to go to the bathroom, leave or use the phone (emergencies do happen), kindly wait in between acts to quickly usher yourself out.

Lesson for the day (short version) : At a show, shut up and sit still !

Remember that, as painful as they can be, each individual event serves as formal training, dear teenager of mine, for when you become a 7-figure CEO and are required to attend every opera premiere in the city (clapping and whistling etiquette to be addressed later).