HOW TO BE AN AUDIENCE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 277, 3 November 1924, Page 8

HOW TO BE AN AUDIENCE.

If you wish to carry out the golden rule towards speakers and artistes and fellow-members of an audience, you must observe certain minor rules whenever you attend a meeting or a concert. If, for example, it is necessary for you to cough, talk or move about, you will wait for an appropriate moment, during applause, laughter, or the pause between two items on the programme. The crackling of paper, too, is one of the most annoying of sounds, .and should be avoided as carefully as talking or moving about. If you arrive late, and the programme consists of a number of short items, you will remain standing just inside the entrance until the pause between the items makes it convenient for you to find a scat. If you arrive during the speech of the evening, you will wait for the break of laughter or applause before taking your seat. On arriving early at a function where seats are not numbered or reserved you will not choose an aisle seat unless you know you will have to leave before the rest of the audience. The disturbance when you riso to let latecomers pass, or oven when you move up to let them take your place 'the less objectionable habit) prevents others from either seeing or nearing,, and shows a decided lack of consideration both for the platform and the would-be attentive audience. Last and hardest rule to keep. If, being good yourself, and behaving as a perfect lady should, you are tempted by sinners behind you to turn round and give to them attention you originally meant for the platform, you will resist the temptation. I cannot help thinking that our typical indoor pastimes would he much pleasanter and would run more smoothly, if everyone were taught at school these simple essentials of good manners.