Etiquette School of Ohio

Theater Etiquette - Greeting Performers After the Show

Happy New Year!

I’m back at my desk after taking a 3 month hiatus to dance in the kick line of “Christmas Spectacular”.  Even though I wasn’t writing or lecturing during this time period, I was gathering a substantial amount of material to share with you.  Everyday during the 70 show run, I was amazed with an, “I can’t believe they did or said that”, situation.  I will share many of the highlights with you during the next few weeks.

After every performance, the dancers and actors would gather in the theater lobby to “meet and greet” audience members as they exited the theater.  I always enjoyed meeting the people I just performed for face-to-face.  However, I was occasionally surprised at what people said or did at this time.

1.  “You’re almost as good as the Rockettes at Radio City - almost.”

2.  “Are you a boy dressed in female drag?” - said to one of the dancers.

3.  “Are you a Christian?  Because if you’re not, you shouldn’t be singing “O Holy Night”. - said to a male vocalist

4.  “I didn’t like the way you said, “Ho ho ho”.  I can do it better.  I am a Santa too.” - said to Santa

5.  “You were great singing with the group - I didn’t care for your solo performance though.” - said to a female vocalist

6.  “Celine Dion sings it this way.  Why don’t you?”- said to a male vocalist

7.  “I’m a choreographer.  I would have choreographed it differently.”

8.  “You danced very well for a Japanese.” - said to a Japanese dancer.

9.  “It’s only November 5.  I can’t believe you’re performing a Christmas show so early.  I’m not ready yet.”

10. “Are you 2 twins?” - said to a Caucasian dancer and an African-American dancer

11.  “It’s so said what happened to Michael Jackson isn’t it?” - said to an African-American dancer

12.  “I can’t believe how soft this fur is!” - said to me as a lady continued to rub her hand over the chest of my costume.

13.  “Any of you single?  I need a date for later on.  Any one of you will do.” - keep looking buddy.

14.  “Is this beard real?” - as they pulled on Santa’s beard.

15.  “I’m so sick, but I don’t want to miss this opportunity to shake each of your hands.”

Sadly, the list of these comments goes on.  Fortunately, the many wonderful comments over shadowed them.

Please don’t forget this basic rule: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”  Also, please refrain from touching a performer’s costume before asking permission.

Be Courteous in the Gym

I was the only person exercising in the fitness center early this morning when a married couple walked in.  Without asking, they turned the lights off, changed the television station, and sprayed a disinfectant on the machines nearby creating a floating cloud of mist I almost choked on when inhaling.

I don’t expect to have the fitness center to myself.  I’m more than happy to share, but it would have been nice if this couple at least said hello or good morning.  It would have been even nicer if they asked me if I minded if they turned the lights out, changed the television station, or sprayed their disinfectant.  The lights and the TV really didn’t bother me.  The disinfectant did.  How did they know I wouldn’t have an allergic reaction to it?

When sharing the gym or fitness center with others, please be courteous and ask other people who are exercising if they mind if you make a change they will all be effected by. This is especially important if someone was there before you.

The actions of this couple today are no different than a child coming into a room to play and taking the toys away from the other children.  Which they also did by jumping on the weight machines I was using in between my reps.  It’s not like it was crowded or there were no other machines.  They insisted on using the machines I was using at the time.

I came home to finish my workout.  I hope they have a good one.

Cell Phone Speaker Feature - Etiquette Faux Pas

I was shopping in a department store this weekend when a woman near me started speaking.  Thinking she was speaking to me, I turned toward the woman.  At first I was confused because she wasn’t looking at me, there were no other shoppers near us, and she wasn’t holding a phone to her ear.  I became even more confused when I heard another woman’s voice speaking.

As I approached the woman, I saw she was holding a cell phone by her side while having a business conversation on the speaker phone.

I enjoy shopping because it is an opportunity to escape from the daily grind and relax.  It was so frustrating have to hear business taking place where I like to relax.  It was also very uncomfortable hearing information I didn’t think I should be hearing.  I tried to ignore the conversation, but both parties were speaking so loudly, I couldn’t help hearing every word.  I finally had to leave that area of the store.

If you’ve read past posts, you know I recommend finding a private area to have a cell phone conversation in so you don’t disturb the people around you.  If you intend to have a conversation over the speaker phone, you absolutely must find an area where no one else can hear the conversation. Not doing so is rude to the people around you as well as the person on the other end of the conversation.

Applaud the Band After the Dance

It is a polite and appreciative gesture to applaud the band before exiting the dance floor. They provided you with the music to dance to, so you should thank them.

I attended a dinner dance last evening, turned to applaud the band at the end of the dance and observed an unsightly etiquette faux pas.  One of the guests joined in the applause, but turned to the other guests shouting, “Hurray for us!  We’re wonderful dancers!”

One should never applaud themselves in any situation.

Slurping Spaghetti - Observed Etiquette Faux Pas

A mother in a restaurant was teaching her daughter how to slurp individual spaghetti noodles into her mouth with all the appropriate sound effects.   It wasn’t at all as adorable as the scene from “Lady and the Tramp”.  In fact, it made this lady look like a tramp.