Quit being a jerk at concerts with these tips from the pros

With upward of 60 concerts coming to your favorite outdoor venues this summer (see cover story on page 12), there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and groove in the open air.

There are also plenty of chances for someone to act like a jerkwad and ruin your day in the sun with your favorite band.

You don’t want to deal with that person, so do your concertgoing neighbors a favor and don’t be that person.

There’s nothing wrong with having a good time until it gets in the way of someone else’s good time.

Here are a few pointers to assure a safe, fun experience while keeping the dirty looks and potential altercations to a minimum:

• Give yourself time to get to the venue. When people are rushed, they can become susceptible to road rage. That’s not the way to pre-funk for a concert. Plan ahead.

• Know the house rules. Save yourself an extra trip to the car by learning what the venue allows and doesn’t allow before you get to the gate. The Gorge, for example, doesn’t allow outside beverages, coolers or objects, such as hackey sacks or beach balls, that can be thrown.

• Leave the high-back lawn chairs at home. Use blankets and short-leg folding chairs instead, so folks behind you can see.

• If you have a chair, use it. Otherwise, go to the side of the stage to dance.

• Keep your hands to yourself, unless someone falls. Don’t be the sleazeball that uses the mosh pit as a place to grope women (or men for that matter). And if you see that someone is in mosh trouble, lend them a hand.

• Stay hydrated. And don’t forget to wear and share sunscreen.

• Drink responsibly. What’s the point of paying $50 for a show ticket just to get so wasted that you don’t remember being kicked out, much less the concert? Plus it’s unfair to your friends who may have to leave early to make sure you get home safe.

• Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. But leave the audience viewing area in consideration of children or people with health issues.

• Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em (part 2). Unless it’s illegal.

• Be a snitch. If you see someone acting unruly or getting sick, it’s in everyone’s best interest to alert security before someone gets hurt.

• Don’t be too proud to ask for help. If you have a problem with someone, don’t magnify it by making a scene. If some guy puts the moves on your girl and you end up punching each other and get thrown out, nobody wins. Take a step back and let concert security resolve the problem.

• Buy tickets from the official source. Don’t spend good money on fake tickets. That could get you banned from the venue.

• Fireworks are a serious no-no. This goes doubly for the Gorge during fire season.

• Clean up after yourself. Even if your parents didn’t raise you with common courtesy and manners, act as if they did when you’re sharing public space.