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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

why the feck can't some people shut up.

47 replies

upahill · 22/11/2009 21:35

I've noticed a trend over the last couple of years..... see if you think if I'm turning into a grumpy old woman (OK grumpier!)
Background.
I go to a lot of gigs, probably on average 6 a month. Anything from paying a fiver on the door to Arena size and watching everything from up and coming new bands to old rockers still doing the rounds.I've been going to gigs since Iwas 13 and now I'm 44.

Get this

I've noticed people talking more and more while an artist is performing. Not stuff like 'Oh I love this one' but conversations about the match on Saturday, people they've met up with, work stuff.
Example 1 Earlier this year I went to see Metallica. The ticket price started at £40. Me and DH paid £60 quid each. Fantastic view, amazing show but two lads behind us chatted about Ibiza that went on for nearly 2 hours.It was like whitenoise in my ears I made a bit of a joke about it but got told to fuck off. Fair enough.

2 Last night went to see Gary Numan. Same again. At stand up gigs me and DH separate. He stays near the back because he is so tall and I mingle. The conversations that were going!People were chatting about the price of a can and then asking for some one to text mate to download a film.
When we met the first thing he said was 'You would have thought we had gone to the pub and a band was on for all the shite that people talk about'
People are now texting and even making phone calls.
I think it's a bit.. 'can't think of a word'.. well disrespectful to the artist. and pointless paying money to go to a gig when you may as well met up in a pub for a chat.
I'm not expecting silence ..that would be crap.. but for people to be huddled in groups with their back to band that I'm guessing they've or at least some of the group have paid to see is a bit rubbish really. Thoughts please!

OP posts:
ArizonaBarker · 22/11/2009 21:42

I've noticed this too.

I think people have got to the stage where their attention span is too short.

Jamieandhismagictorch · 22/11/2009 21:51

Don't do to gigs, but it's the same at the cinema. I think it's because people have so much entertainment at home, that going out is no longer so special - they are used to talking through films, eating, getting up several times to pee etc.

So the private and public experiences have merged

That and the fact that there are some selfish wankers who have no concept of other peoples feelings...

I blame Thatcher

mablemurple · 22/11/2009 21:55

How on earth can you hear people chatting at a Metallica gig? Or even a Gary Numan gig - they all play so loud .

Original poster
upahill · 22/11/2009 21:58

Don't get me started on the cinmea!!!!!

I refuse to go to our local Vue because I can't stand the way people have to eat non stop for 120mins.
I try to go to the art house one in the city which is about 40 miles away from me and go mid week so I don't have to put up with people or go to one in the student town which is is about 30 odd miles away. In both places it's quite civilised. Your allowed to take in a drink and there's no popcorn or crisps or worse sold there.
I'm not anti social as such it's just that if I've paid my scrilla to watch something I want to watch '/hear what's going on with out listening to other people's conversations and rustlings.

OP posts:
Jamieandhismagictorch · 22/11/2009 21:58

that's why I don't go to gigs

cakeywakey · 22/11/2009 22:01

You are definitely not being unreasonable. Like Jamie, I don't go to many gigs, but have noticed this at the cinema. I've asked people to stop talking before because they're spoiling it for me and other people (and then worried about being done over when I leave!)

It makes me really cross because it's just so bloody selfish. If you want to chat then get the CD or a DVD, don't ruin gigs or the pictures for other people. Arrrrggghhh!

Jamieandhismagictorch · 22/11/2009 22:01

I live in London, and go to the Barbican cinema when I can because

a) I am a shortarse and the seats are very raked

b) no food except v. quiet icecream tubs

wilkos · 22/11/2009 22:04

dh and I went to see Deep Purple last sunday

just before they started a couple took the two seats in front of us, so they were in the front row and she proceeded to suck the left side of her partners face off for the whole time the band were on. she was practically climbing over the arm of the seat to get to him.and when she wasnt clinging to him like a limpet they were chatting with the woman to the other side of him

quite frankly they were old enough to know better.

twas truly nauseating and really irritating

TidyBush · 22/11/2009 22:06

I don't go to gigs anymore but I am that old gimmer who shouts out the chatting kids "will you be quiet, I've come to watch the film not listen to your yakking"

My DCs just slink down in their seats and DH is convinced I'll get knifed one of these days

2shoes · 22/11/2009 22:06

ffs peopel talked awhilst metallica were on!!!!
some people are plain daft

Original poster
upahill · 22/11/2009 22:22

I don't want to give up gigs. I've got two to go to next week but I'm getting mighty irratated and I know it's me that's got the problem so I have to do one of two things.

1 challenge it(and at the very least be told to Fuck off )
2 do nothing and resent it.

OP posts:
Pluto · 22/11/2009 22:26

It even happens at church now; large sections of the congregation were talking during this morning's service to the point where the priest couldn't be heard - this is super weird - I mean they've chosen to go.

tethersend · 22/11/2009 22:29

Go to the Luminaire in Kilburn.

They throw you out if you talk while the artist is on

Kbear · 22/11/2009 22:39

We went to Walking with Dinosaurs at the O2 - the man behind us talked to his "terrified" three year old all the way through it to stop her crying in terror. It was very loud, it was a bit scary for kids - but why the hell would you pay £45 for a ticket to something like that - the Dinosaurs bit of the title should have given him a clue that roaring would be involved - when Princesses on Ice would have suited her down to the ground?

She screamed throughout, he said "it's Mr Funny Dinosaur and he's looking for his mummy" and "it's not real Emily, it's just pretend, come on it's only pretend, have a sweetie, here, sit on my lap, shall we ring mummy and tell her about the lovely dinosaurs" and other stuff like that all the way through and my kids were looking at me as if to say "why doesn't he take her outside and stop spoiling it for everyone?!" All my ears could focus on was his voice talking at normal volume and her screaming.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 22/11/2009 22:43

I find it hard to believe people talked over Metallica...

LadyOfTheFlowers · 22/11/2009 22:43

Losers!!

SolosScrapingUpForXmas · 22/11/2009 22:49

Not that I've been to the cinema for several years now, but the chatting winds me up too...and Church? that I find even worse. It's all just plain ignorant IMO.

TidyBush · 22/11/2009 22:56

Just thought of another. A few years ago DD1 was singing in a massive schools' choir event at a big arena. Two women sitting across the aisle from us spent the whole concert yakking away. When they were challenged they were like WTF??

Why would you come to see your DCs perform and then talk all over it

I think Jamie is quite right in that going out is no longer seen as anything special because we are so used to being 'entertained' in our own homes now so some people treat everywhere like it's their own space.

BexJ78 · 22/11/2009 23:00

yes, agree, and the theatre is the worse of all! we have been to see lots of plays and shows all over where people talk at normal volume and don't turn thir phones off even AFTER the announcement where they ask you to turn your phones off!!! unbelievable!
we went to see a play at the Globe, last summer, and a woman's phone rang (with a really indiscrete ring tone) during the play, and then, best of all, she answered it and had a conversation at normal volume!!!!
aaarrrrggghhhh!

RTKangaMummy · 22/11/2009 23:52

The theatre is worst IMHO and IME cos of the atmosphere

We went to a play last year and a couple came and sat in the front row and ate a picnic ~~~ sandwiches + crisps + drinks

It was a very short play too with an interval!!!!!!!!!

echt · 23/11/2009 06:12

In Oz, meals are encouraged. In the Gold Class section of Village cinemas, which has reclining seats, you can have wine and dips. I daren't go 'cos I'd fall asleep and fart.

The audiences here are better-behaved, though; less chat.

Tigurr · 23/11/2009 06:22

The Gold Class is absolutely awesome - we went to the big one in Sydney last month (they were doing that free upgrade thingy) and it was just lovely! Ever so comfy but yes, big risk you'd fall asleep LOL

I don't think meals are encouraged in the "regular" screens though...!

thumbwitch · 23/11/2009 06:32

YAsoNBU - I hate this whenever and wherever it happens - it is disrespectful and just plain rude. Not only to the artist, who they have paid to listen to, but also to everyone else who has also paid to hear the music, not some idiot twittering on about something totally unrelated.

TitsalinaBumsquash · 23/11/2009 07:08

I know what you mean, although i walked out of Metallica's set at Download becuase i think they are shite but yes gigs are a nightmare for chatty chattysons......

Adair · 23/11/2009 07:20

I wonder whether it because you paid £60 (!!!) and so expected an elite experience- whereas it was still just a gig (where be honest, of course people talk - always have done. It's a social occasion - though 2hrs continual does sound excessive).

I got v fucked off with an arsey, rude man who told me to ssh at Beach Boys - I was talking with my friend for about 20seconds in the break between songs . And my friend got a load of abuse for standing in front of someone in the Standing area . Let me back to proper gigs with friendly people!

Talking in theatre, def a no way. Cinema, the odd sentence ok.