Etiquette Matters

As a long-time patron of the Globe, I know better than to arrive on opening night wearing caustic cologne or a pungent after shave. I have a sweet tooth, but I avoid candy that comes in crinkly wrappers. If I must leave the theatre during the performance, I go up the stairs, not down. And the cellphone is off at all times.

I raise this because etiquette matters and a recent survey in the United Kingdom reveals that things are taking a turn for the worse.

According to a report titled State of Play: Theatre UK, 13 per cent of respondents said it is acceptable to whisper, and 80 per cent admit to having done so. Ten per cent would not have a problem with people snapping photographs, 17 per cent believe if drinking is allowed, eating should be as well, and among those aged 16 to 19, an alarming 47 per cent think it’s OK to tweet about a show while the show is still in progress.

Yikes!