Imagine a scenario like this: A person wakes up and takes time out of their day to get ready for a big event that is happening later. They’ve waited for weeks for this and they’re really curious to see how well it could turn out. When they finally get to their seat, they feel relieved. Once the lights go dim, everyone stops talking and begins to pay attention to the performers on stage — except for a few of the people around them. 

The people around them remain on their phones and cannot take any of their time to appreciate the performance.

Personally, I don’t have to imagine this scenario, considering it was my own story. I watched an orchestra perform a couple of weeks ago and the same thought kept reappearing in my head: why can’t people respect a performer’s time?

It is highly disrespectful to come to an event where you refuse to even pay attention. What is the point of showing up if you are just going to create your own show in the form of distracting everyone else? 

Doing this is also just flat-out rude. If you are going to go to an event where a person is showcasing their talent, why would you come if you are just going to sit there and not watch or respect it? There are plenty of artists who put hours into their craft, trying to master it for the people around them to enjoy — you’re just sitting there and not paying attention.

As a bystander, it is disheartening and angering to see that type of behavior.

As someone who has been on both sides of the venue before, I’ve seen my fair share of people not respecting the performers. As a viewer, I’ve seen a lot of people talk throughout shows and not display this common courtesy to others and to the performer. 

As a performer, I’ve had the ability to glance out into the audience and notice when people are not tuned in.

Acting this way distracts the performer from what they are doing and can open their mind to unwanted thoughts. A person who is distracted by someone on their phone in the audience may think “Why aren’t they paying attention to me?” or “I can’t believe they paid for this but they’d rather check their inbox or play Candy Crush.” 

Artists are taking a risk by putting themselves out there live and in person, but people are too inconsiderate to care. They are often so inconsiderate to the point where they don’t even bother trying to fake their interest.

Next time you are at an event, please consider the feelings of others. Not only do the performers want your attention, but the audience does as well. Only doing what you want to do during that time isn’t an excuse. It’s time to take the feelings of others into account and act accordingly.