Miss Manners: Tempting to boo those who depart early

Mon., July 16, 2012

Judith Martin Universal Uclick

DEAR MISS MANNERS: The performance has been magnificent. The curtain has fallen. The audience applauds. The stars come out for their curtain calls.

The audience cheers appropriately and is thrilled with the good mood that comes with seeing such a wonderful show – or much of the audience, that is. Some get up to leave the instant the last line is spoken or before, without giving so much as a single clap in recognition or appreciation.

Do I have your permission to become so entranced by the goings-on on stage while standing and cheering that I block the people who are trying to trample over me so they can avoid the crowded traffic in the parking lot?

GENTLE READER: Or so they can relieve the baby sitter? Or catch the last train home? Or prevent themselves from booing a performance they disliked?

Miss Manners adores the theater and claps enthusiastically to express her enjoyment. But that is because she holds with theatrical tradition in considering the curtain call the proper time for the audience to express its opinion, not for it to give thanks.

When she does not enjoy a professional performance, she does not avail herself of the opportunity to boo, because she is too shy.

Does that make her disrespectful of the feelings of the artists involved? On the contrary, she respects them by not treating them like children who are told “Good job!” for every effort, no matter how misguided.

The upside for professionals, should others discriminate, would be knowing that the applause meant genuine appreciation, and that standing applause signaled an extraordinary success.

So please don’t block the aisles.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@ gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

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