Tradition! Tradition!
Aug. 25th, 2005 09:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
storytimewithjoeLast night, Giley myself, and my buddy Marc went into Tustin to see Fiddler on the Roof performed. The venue was an outdoor park where we could bring lawnchairs and set up a picnic. It was very casual, very relaxed, and quite nice.
The performance was very enjoyable and an experience that I would repeat. I only ran into one issue. And thus, my open letter to parents everywhere...
Dear Parents,
I think it is wonderful that you bring your kids to live performances. Activities that families can experience together can be often few and far between. Thus, I encourage the quality family-time and laud you for exposing your child to culture.
Now having said that, I have another point to emphasize. Please teach your children basic manners and consideration. When I attend a play, I would like to watch the play itself - not your child standing up in front of me. I would like to hear the actors - not your children speaking over the amplified performance. Yes, I understand that kids are kids. I understand that their attention span is simply not the same as an adult's. I understand that they can grow restless. But to be perfectly honest, that is part of the burden that you, as a parent, have taken upon yourself. It is unfair to the rest of the audience to have part of their experience diminished because you are not making the extra effort to either take care of your child or educate your child. Think of it this way - your child is still learning. And your child learns mostly from you. By not taking the time to educate your children to show more consideration of others, you are effectively and actively teaching them to be INCONSIDERATE of others. Please make that extra effort to educate your kids - not just for the people around you, but for the benefit of your kids.
I thank you in advance for your future consideration.
The performance was very enjoyable and an experience that I would repeat. I only ran into one issue. And thus, my open letter to parents everywhere...
Dear Parents,
I think it is wonderful that you bring your kids to live performances. Activities that families can experience together can be often few and far between. Thus, I encourage the quality family-time and laud you for exposing your child to culture.
Now having said that, I have another point to emphasize. Please teach your children basic manners and consideration. When I attend a play, I would like to watch the play itself - not your child standing up in front of me. I would like to hear the actors - not your children speaking over the amplified performance. Yes, I understand that kids are kids. I understand that their attention span is simply not the same as an adult's. I understand that they can grow restless. But to be perfectly honest, that is part of the burden that you, as a parent, have taken upon yourself. It is unfair to the rest of the audience to have part of their experience diminished because you are not making the extra effort to either take care of your child or educate your child. Think of it this way - your child is still learning. And your child learns mostly from you. By not taking the time to educate your children to show more consideration of others, you are effectively and actively teaching them to be INCONSIDERATE of others. Please make that extra effort to educate your kids - not just for the people around you, but for the benefit of your kids.
I thank you in advance for your future consideration.
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Date: 2005-08-25 04:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-25 05:29 pm (UTC)As for Mr. Mostel - WOW! Giles got to see him in Fiddler as well. Tres groovy!
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Date: 2005-08-25 05:28 pm (UTC)I agree that children should be taught manners, as should the adults who bring them to such events, whether to "get culture" or because getting a babysitter is just too much trouble.
After all, (cue sarcasm) asking the children to behave themselves would scar them for life, wouldn't it?