Standing up in seated sections....

dionnesimone

fizzyade said:

dionnesimone said:

I think when going to a high energy rock show, as an attendee you need to expect that a large number of the crowd will be standing, singing and yelling. If you are a person with special needs that needs to stay seated, I think it's important to plan your seating location accordingly if possible. If you have no issues standing the whole time but are seated next to a handicap location, dude you really should sit or move to a different location.

Read the room, read the performers.

Unfortunately it's not quite as simple as that.

There are only limited spaces for accessible customers and they generally fall into 2 categories, ambulatory and non ambulatory.  Priority for the platforms is given to wheelchair users, other disabled access customers may be given seats in general seating where there are limited steps, no guarantee of being on the front of a row or anything.

Last night was the first time for a long time that I've sat in normal seating, but being a seasoned gig goer I knew people would be standing around me and I knew this when I booked the tickets (as I couldn't get accessible ones in the resale) but the opportunity came up for tickets for the second night so couldn't resist.

The O2 is pretty good for access, they have a number of platforms but for popular gigs people are always going to lose out.

You have to make the best of the situation though.

In an ideal world there would be enough accessible seating spaces for everyone, but sadly there isn't.

I know things aren't simple. I'm going to be one that in the future is going to need special accommodations where possible, as my EDS is destroying my spine. EDS is very often an invisible disorder.

When I get tickets for concerts I am very aware of where I choose my seats and what type of concert I am going to. I know that it's not always possible to get seating in a desired location and then even if you do, your view might be compromised (I had a front row seat for a concert that I had worked very hard to get and couldn't see the performers at all from my seated position because of a video camera set up). If the majority of the room is standing, I am almost always standing, when they are seated I typically sit, unless I am trying to get everyone to stand up around me.

I would not be offended by someone asking me politely to sit down, I may or may not comply, depending on the room/situation. Such as if someone was obviously impaired or someone that shared with me that they have an invisible disorder. I would probably switch seats with them or try to move off to the side a bit so they might see. I would be even more so motivated to do so if they spoke with me before the performance. But if a regular dude came to a high energy concert, expecting to chill the whole time and expected that those around him needed to be chill, I probably wouldn't.

I'm glad you got to go to a second show.

pledgeagrievance

Pretty simple, no one is saying you can’t sit, just know if u sit there may be someone standing in front of you. It’s a concert and it’s not unreasonable to expect people to stand unless it’s your first concert then I could see being surprised. This exact thing happened to me the other night. Guy behind me tapped me shoulder (which to be honest is rude) and asked if I planned on standing the whole show. I politely said “yes(” as roughly 1500 people in the section in front of me were Standing). That was the end of it. I’m sure the guy was disappointed but I’m not suppose to be able to see because he can’t? There are plenty of rude people at concerts getting drunk, dancing in people’s space, pushing, shoving. I’m standing in front of my seat. Pretty tame if u ask me. 

Hi!

I'm making a tshirt. Nothing on front, but on the back in big bold letters:

I'M NOT SITTING

fizzyade

dionnesimone said:

fizzyade said:

dionnesimone said:

I think when going to a high energy rock show, as an attendee you need to expect that a large number of the crowd will be standing, singing and yelling. If you are a person with special needs that needs to stay seated, I think it's important to plan your seating location accordingly if possible. If you have no issues standing the whole time but are seated next to a handicap location, dude you really should sit or move to a different location.

Read the room, read the performers.

Unfortunately it's not quite as simple as that.

There are only limited spaces for accessible customers and they generally fall into 2 categories, ambulatory and non ambulatory.  Priority for the platforms is given to wheelchair users, other disabled access customers may be given seats in general seating where there are limited steps, no guarantee of being on the front of a row or anything.

Last night was the first time for a long time that I've sat in normal seating, but being a seasoned gig goer I knew people would be standing around me and I knew this when I booked the tickets (as I couldn't get accessible ones in the resale) but the opportunity came up for tickets for the second night so couldn't resist.

The O2 is pretty good for access, they have a number of platforms but for popular gigs people are always going to lose out.

You have to make the best of the situation though.

In an ideal world there would be enough accessible seating spaces for everyone, but sadly there isn't.

I know things aren't simple. I'm going to be one that in the future is going to need special accommodations where possible, as my EDS is destroying my spine. EDS is very often an invisible disorder.

When I get tickets for concerts I am very aware of where I choose my seats and what type of concert I am going to. I know that it's not always possible to get seating in a desired location and then even if you do, your view might be compromised (I had a front row seat for a concert that I had worked very hard to get and couldn't see the performers at all from my seated position because of a video camera set up). If the majority of the room is standing, I am almost always standing, when they are seated I typically sit, unless I am trying to get everyone to stand up around me.

I would not be offended by someone asking me politely to sit down, I may or may not comply, depending on the room/situation. Such as if someone was obviously impaired or someone that shared with me that they have an invisible disorder. I would probably switch seats with them or try to move off to the side a bit so they might see. I would be even more so motivated to do so if they spoke with me before the performance. But if a regular dude came to a high energy concert, expecting to chill the whole time and expected that those around him needed to be chill, I probably wouldn't.

I'm glad you got to go to a second show.

One of my conditions is marfans which is in the same family of connective tissue disorders as EDS, it's the reason I can't stand because it causes excruiating lower back pain which within a few minutes shoots up my spine and down into my arms.

GM151575

I hardly even sit during the encore breaks. 

facepollution

texasistheSTEVEN said:

mace1229 said:p

texasistheSTEVEN said:

facepollution said:

dingers said:

F Me In The Brain said:

Sit if you like but don't be bummed when people stand.  
I get that some cannot stand for three hours.  That is unfortunate...but that should not deter others from standing.  I sat during Bee Girl.  And Yellow Poon.  And Parachutes.  Any and all times I saw them.
Not much else that I can recall.  Those were nice rest songs, though.

See this I don't get ... shows like last night there for those who want to stand there was general admission standing ... if you buy a seated ticket you should fully expect people to want to sit, how would people feel if those st the rail decided to sit? There's be uproar but it's the same logic, becusse they want to sit they should be allowed.... 

I had to take the tickets I could get at the time they went on sale, the show sold out in no time.  Also, it does say in the terms and conditions that "other people might stand up around you during the event".  Also, to those with disabilities, the arena will usually accommodate your needs if you speak to them.  And finally, like I said, the majority of the arena was standing anyway, so I think it's a bit unreasonable/unrealistic to expect just a few people to sit down.

Playing devils advocate, but what if you have a hidden disability and dont want to be in a "disabled section" or want any special treatment?Or what if you simply have trouble standing?

You don’t want special treatment, but want to make others sit when they want to stand?
10c made it very clear GA was very limited, so the argument that if you want to stand go with GA doesn’t hold up.

i don’t think there’s a perfect answer do the exceptions. I’ve never sat at a PJ show and don’t plan to. I’d feel bad if the person behind me has a physical disability preventing them from standing. But as others said, there are accommodations for that. If you are to ashamed to ask for those accommodations then I guess it isn’t fair to ask someone to sit.
sometimes they may not be available or whatever, and if someone told me they physically couldn’t stand then I may switch with them.
But how is that any different from me being 5’9” getting stuck behind someone 6’6” in GA?

Last time i stood in seating i had a chat with people behind me to make sure they were going to stand and if not then i was going to offer to swap seats. Just taking care of those nearby really.

I think its stupid to sit at a gig in the same way i stand at football matches as i physically cant sit down because its too exciting.

BUT and this is the big but here, its not fair for anyone to assume anything about the people around them. If someone asks you to sit down then you can ask them to swap or ask them if they want to stand up. Standing in front of someone who has asked you to sit is so arrogant and not in the spirit id expect with PJ fans.

There is no perfect solution but being considerate of your neighbour isnt an unfair thing to ask.

Seems like the OP didnt make any provision, was asked to sit and almost told them to fuck off. That's so out of order. 

Rock gig or not. Just consider others may have issues and be nice to people. Its not that tough is it

I'd made plenty of provision, I sat for 26 of the 33 songs!  I wasn't rude to the guy, didn't raise my voice, wasn't drunk or aggressive.  In fact I was much more civil to him with my words than he was to me.  If he'd cared to look around the block he was sitting in, most people were standing.  He certainly didn't consider whether I might have needed to stand up for any reason, he just presumed it was his right to tell me to sit down.  He didn't speak to me before the show and ask if I was planning on standing at all and voice his concerns.  And what if he did?  If I'd gone to a steward and said the guy is trying to make me sit all night, he would have said it's in the terms and conditions that you're allowed to stand.

In terms of you being offended (presumably) by my use of the word 'victim', I was boiling the argument down to its bare bones, and certainly didn't mean to imply that people with disabilities are victims, so hands up, my bad.  What I was trying to say in a hamfisted way, is that your moral argument would never be able to accommodate everyone.  There are no end of issues that people could potentially have, and the venue do their best to accommodate them.  I have first hand experience of that with family members and friends who have had to be re-seated due to medical issues, and it has never been a problem, even at well sold-out shows.

In fact I have an example where the boot was on the other foot.  My sister and I bought my parents tickets to see Adele at the O2, when my sister's friend pulled out I decided to go(honest story, don't judge!).  We had seats way up in the gods, at the back, when we got there my mum had a panic attack because of the height, and to cut a long story short we got reseated on the floor right by the stage (it was an all seated show).  People sat for virtually all of the night, which is totally to be expected given the type of songs Adele sings.  There was, however, a woman who stood for the entire show, and was blocking a lot of people's views.  Over the course of the night around ten people went and asked her to sit down, including my sister.  In turns out she had not long had a baby, and had developed some sort of problem with her lower back and it was painful to sit.  So who is in the right?  I don't know whose entitlement trumps who's?  

My feeling last night was that I'd sat down for the majority of the show, they were playing some of the more energetic songs, it was nearing the end, and most people were standing up.  

And to think I thought he was tapping me on the back to congratulate me on getting the song played!

dionnesimone

fizzyade said:

One of my conditions is marfans which is in the same family of connective tissue disorders as EDS, it's the reason I can't stand because it causes excruiating lower back pain which within a few minutes shoots up my spine and down into my arms.

I understand Marfan fairly well with self guided but intelligent research into my own disorder, while working to get my diagnosis. I also understand all the different systems that can be affected and why standing is an issue for you. 

I am DX Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos. I believe I have some crossover issues with other types but as of yet have not gotten my geneticist to do the blood testing. My cervical spine is punk rock as heck. Spikes all over it. (Looking on the bright side, I have orangutan arms that I happen to love and legs for days.)

PJNB

Hi! said:

I'm making a tshirt. Nothing on front, but on the back in big bold letters:

I'M NOT SITTING

I hope you wear that in GA. 

RoleModelsinBlood31

My general rule is I stand as long as I can.  I try to drink and smoke so much that I’m forced to sit down because I’m about to lose my balance and barf on myself while I’m falling into a neighbor.

PJ_Soul

I haven't read the thread, so this has likely already been said, but my perspective is that one should pretty much just go with whatever everyone around them is doing. If everyone is standing, stand up... If plenty of people are standing but many are also sitting, do whatever you want and keep your trap shut if you choose to sit while the person in front of you stands, and if everyone is sitting and you're the only one standing, that's your signal to get your ass back in your chair, lol, or at least leave your seat and go up behind the seats, like at the entrance to the section, so you can boogie without being an obstruction. And what that all boils down to is being reasonably considerate of those around you and going with the general flow. It's the burden of being a member of a crowd. You're not completely just an individual when you're part of a crowd, figuratively.
As for the issue of people who can't stand for one reason or another.... I think that's just too bad, to be blunt. If they can't stand during a show where many others are standing, they should be thinking about how they will make smarter choices when buying tickets going forward.

ZeldaZonk

PJ_Soul said:

I haven't read the thread, so this has likely already been said, but my perspective is that one should pretty much just go with whatever everyone around them is doing. If everyone is standing, stand up... If plenty of people are standing but many are also sitting, do whatever you want and keep your trap shut if you choose to sit while the person in front of you stands, and if everyone is sitting and you're the only one standing, that's your signal to get your ass back in your chair, lol, or at least leave your seat and go up behind the seats, like at the entrance to the section, so you can boogie without being an obstruction. And what that all boils down to is being reasonably considerate of those around you and going with the general flow. It's the burden of being a member of a crowd. You're not completely just an individual when you're part of a crowd, figuratively.
As for the issue of people who can't stand for one reason or another.... I think that's just too bad, to be blunt. If they can't stand during a show where many others are standing, they should be thinking about how they will make smarter choices when buying tickets going forward.

Hmmm.....interesting. There are only a limited number of ADA seats available at any show, even fewer when it comes to 10c tickets. So I either have to request ADA seats and hope I make the lottery, or put in for reserved seats and then cross my fingers/deal with the consequences. What kind of "smarter choices" are you referring to? Miss the show? I got shut out of ADA seats for TOTD in Seattle and ended up having to buy reserved seats from someone on Craigslist for a hefty price. Missing the show was NOT an option for me, and thankfully I didn't miss it seeing as what happened last year with Chris.

ZeldaZonk

PJWGIII said:

ZeldaZonk said:

Speaking as someone who usually sits the majority of any show, not all of us are able to physically endure standing for three or more hours. I go to multiple shows a month, but I couldn't do it if I had to stand. I shouldn't be expected to "go watch a f*ucking opera" or "stay home and watch on tv" or "go home and watch on youtube". That's pretty rude. I'd love to be able to hang out in GA like most of us would prefer, but it's not in the cards. Yet I don't want to miss out on an amazing live performance and shouldn't be expected to, so the seats are my option. And I'm definitely one of those who dances in the seats, so don't think I'm not having a blast just because I'm not standing. It's just not ideal to be trying to see the show when all you can see are the people's backs and butts in front of you. Watching it on the jumbo screens is NOT the same, but sometimes that's the only way to see. 

And for those who think sitting during a concert is lame, I was at a rock show in Seattle two months ago. It was front row of the balcony, and I had two members of PJ sitting in the same row as me. One was directly next to me on my right, the other was a few seats down on my left side. Do you think either of them stood? NOPE! And out of respect for the guys, that's all I'm going to say about that evening.

This is completely a valid point of view, but you wouldn't have the expectation that people will sit down, correct?

Probably not the expectation (depending on the show), but the hope that people around me would be considerate and not selfishly ruin the entire show. 

ZeldaZonk

dingers said:

F Me In The Brain said:

Sit if you like but don't be bummed when people stand.  
I get that some cannot stand for three hours.  That is unfortunate...but that should not deter others from standing.  I sat during Bee Girl.  And Yellow Poon.  And Parachutes.  Any and all times I saw them.
Not much else that I can recall.  Those were nice rest songs, though.

See this I don't get ... shows like last night there for those who want to stand there was general admission standing ... if you buy a seated ticket you should fully expect people to want to sit, how would people feel if those st the rail decided to sit? There's be uproar but it's the same logic, becusse they want to sit they should be allowed.... 

Well said, thank you.

ZeldaZonk

facepollution said:

dingers said:

F Me In The Brain said:

Sit if you like but don't be bummed when people stand.  
I get that some cannot stand for three hours.  That is unfortunate...but that should not deter others from standing.  I sat during Bee Girl.  And Yellow Poon.  And Parachutes.  Any and all times I saw them.
Not much else that I can recall.  Those were nice rest songs, though.

See this I don't get ... shows like last night there for those who want to stand there was general admission standing ... if you buy a seated ticket you should fully expect people to want to sit, how would people feel if those st the rail decided to sit? There's be uproar but it's the same logic, becusse they want to sit they should be allowed.... 

I had to take the tickets I could get at the time they went on sale, the show sold out in no time.  Also, it does say in the terms and conditions that "other people might stand up around you during the event".  Also, to those with disabilities, the arena will usually accommodate your needs if you speak to them.  And finally, like I said, the majority of the arena was standing anyway, so I think it's a bit unreasonable/unrealistic to expect just a few people to sit down.

ADA seating is very limited, and it's even harder to get ADA seats from the 10c. The arena can do their best to accommodate someone with regular tickets, but if the show is sold out and all of the ADA seats are accounted for then it becomes a real challenge. 

F Me In The Brain

ZeldaZonk said:

PJWGIII said:

ZeldaZonk said:

Speaking as someone who usually sits the majority of any show, not all of us are able to physically endure standing for three or more hours. I go to multiple shows a month, but I couldn't do it if I had to stand. I shouldn't be expected to "go watch a f*ucking opera" or "stay home and watch on tv" or "go home and watch on youtube". That's pretty rude. I'd love to be able to hang out in GA like most of us would prefer, but it's not in the cards. Yet I don't want to miss out on an amazing live performance and shouldn't be expected to, so the seats are my option. And I'm definitely one of those who dances in the seats, so don't think I'm not having a blast just because I'm not standing. It's just not ideal to be trying to see the show when all you can see are the people's backs and butts in front of you. Watching it on the jumbo screens is NOT the same, but sometimes that's the only way to see. 

And for those who think sitting during a concert is lame, I was at a rock show in Seattle two months ago. It was front row of the balcony, and I had two members of PJ sitting in the same row as me. One was directly next to me on my right, the other was a few seats down on my left side. Do you think either of them stood? NOPE! And out of respect for the guys, that's all I'm going to say about that evening.

This is completely a valid point of view, but you wouldn't have the expectation that people will sit down, correct?

Probably not the expectation (depending on the show), but the hope that people around me would be considerate and not selfishly ruin the entire show. 

If I was in row one I would swap seats with you, happily....but otherwise I don't know if I would sit down.  That would ruin my show.  Not sure why you have to have it your way or everyone else is selfish.

ZeldaZonk

F Me In The Brain said:

ZeldaZonk said:

PJWGIII said:

ZeldaZonk said:

Speaking as someone who usually sits the majority of any show, not all of us are able to physically endure standing for three or more hours. I go to multiple shows a month, but I couldn't do it if I had to stand. I shouldn't be expected to "go watch a f*ucking opera" or "stay home and watch on tv" or "go home and watch on youtube". That's pretty rude. I'd love to be able to hang out in GA like most of us would prefer, but it's not in the cards. Yet I don't want to miss out on an amazing live performance and shouldn't be expected to, so the seats are my option. And I'm definitely one of those who dances in the seats, so don't think I'm not having a blast just because I'm not standing. It's just not ideal to be trying to see the show when all you can see are the people's backs and butts in front of you. Watching it on the jumbo screens is NOT the same, but sometimes that's the only way to see. 

And for those who think sitting during a concert is lame, I was at a rock show in Seattle two months ago. It was front row of the balcony, and I had two members of PJ sitting in the same row as me. One was directly next to me on my right, the other was a few seats down on my left side. Do you think either of them stood? NOPE! And out of respect for the guys, that's all I'm going to say about that evening.

This is completely a valid point of view, but you wouldn't have the expectation that people will sit down, correct?

Probably not the expectation (depending on the show), but the hope that people around me would be considerate and not selfishly ruin the entire show. 

If I was in row one I would swap seats with you, happily....but otherwise I don't know if I would sit down.  That would ruin my show.  Not sure why you have to have it your way or everyone else is selfish.

It's not a matter of "having my way". It's a matter of being considerate for those around you who may not be able to stand for an entire show. If I knew that I was disrupting someone's view, I'd feel horrible and wouldn't be able to enjoy myself. But that's just me......

pledgeagrievance

F Me In The Brain said:

ZeldaZonk said:

PJWGIII said:

ZeldaZonk said:

Speaking as someone who usually sits the majority of any show, not all of us are able to physically endure standing for three or more hours. I go to multiple shows a month, but I couldn't do it if I had to stand. I shouldn't be expected to "go watch a f*ucking opera" or "stay home and watch on tv" or "go home and watch on youtube". That's pretty rude. I'd love to be able to hang out in GA like most of us would prefer, but it's not in the cards. Yet I don't want to miss out on an amazing live performance and shouldn't be expected to, so the seats are my option. And I'm definitely one of those who dances in the seats, so don't think I'm not having a blast just because I'm not standing. It's just not ideal to be trying to see the show when all you can see are the people's backs and butts in front of you. Watching it on the jumbo screens is NOT the same, but sometimes that's the only way to see. 

And for those who think sitting during a concert is lame, I was at a rock show in Seattle two months ago. It was front row of the balcony, and I had two members of PJ sitting in the same row as me. One was directly next to me on my right, the other was a few seats down on my left side. Do you think either of them stood? NOPE! And out of respect for the guys, that's all I'm going to say about that evening.

This is completely a valid point of view, but you wouldn't have the expectation that people will sit down, correct?

Probably not the expectation (depending on the show), but the hope that people around me would be considerate and not selfishly ruin the entire show. 

If I was in row one I would swap seats with you, happily....but otherwise I don't know if I would sit down.  That would ruin my show.  Not sure why you have to have it your way or everyone else is selfish.

F Me In The Brain

ZeldaZonk said:

F Me In The Brain said:

ZeldaZonk said:

PJWGIII said:

ZeldaZonk said:

Speaking as someone who usually sits the majority of any show, not all of us are able to physically endure standing for three or more hours. I go to multiple shows a month, but I couldn't do it if I had to stand. I shouldn't be expected to "go watch a f*ucking opera" or "stay home and watch on tv" or "go home and watch on youtube". That's pretty rude. I'd love to be able to hang out in GA like most of us would prefer, but it's not in the cards. Yet I don't want to miss out on an amazing live performance and shouldn't be expected to, so the seats are my option. And I'm definitely one of those who dances in the seats, so don't think I'm not having a blast just because I'm not standing. It's just not ideal to be trying to see the show when all you can see are the people's backs and butts in front of you. Watching it on the jumbo screens is NOT the same, but sometimes that's the only way to see. 

And for those who think sitting during a concert is lame, I was at a rock show in Seattle two months ago. It was front row of the balcony, and I had two members of PJ sitting in the same row as me. One was directly next to me on my right, the other was a few seats down on my left side. Do you think either of them stood? NOPE! And out of respect for the guys, that's all I'm going to say about that evening.

This is completely a valid point of view, but you wouldn't have the expectation that people will sit down, correct?

Probably not the expectation (depending on the show), but the hope that people around me would be considerate and not selfishly ruin the entire show. 

If I was in row one I would swap seats with you, happily....but otherwise I don't know if I would sit down.  That would ruin my show.  Not sure why you have to have it your way or everyone else is selfish.

It's not a matter of "having my way". It's a matter of being considerate for those around you who may not be able to stand for an entire show. If I knew that I was disrupting someone's view, I'd feel horrible and wouldn't be able to enjoy myself. But that's just me......

But you would be fine disrupting someone in front of you with their view or experience?
I'm not saying I blame you for your perspective but when we get floor seats by lottery and my wife can't see anything we don't ask people to sit down.  It is what it is.  She might as well look the the opposite direction.
We didn't ask for floor seats but we wanted to see the show and put in for tickets.  Didn't know they were floor until we picked them up before the show.

texasistheSTEVEN

facepollution said:

texasistheSTEVEN said:

mace1229 said:p

texasistheSTEVEN said:

facepollution said:

dingers said:

F Me In The Brain said:

Sit if you like but don't be bummed when people stand.  
I get that some cannot stand for three hours.  That is unfortunate...but that should not deter others from standing.  I sat during Bee Girl.  And Yellow Poon.  And Parachutes.  Any and all times I saw them.
Not much else that I can recall.  Those were nice rest songs, though.

See this I don't get ... shows like last night there for those who want to stand there was general admission standing ... if you buy a seated ticket you should fully expect people to want to sit, how would people feel if those st the rail decided to sit? There's be uproar but it's the same logic, becusse they want to sit they should be allowed.... 

I had to take the tickets I could get at the time they went on sale, the show sold out in no time.  Also, it does say in the terms and conditions that "other people might stand up around you during the event".  Also, to those with disabilities, the arena will usually accommodate your needs if you speak to them.  And finally, like I said, the majority of the arena was standing anyway, so I think it's a bit unreasonable/unrealistic to expect just a few people to sit down.

Playing devils advocate, but what if you have a hidden disability and dont want to be in a "disabled section" or want any special treatment?Or what if you simply have trouble standing?

You don’t want special treatment, but want to make others sit when they want to stand?
10c made it very clear GA was very limited, so the argument that if you want to stand go with GA doesn’t hold up.

i don’t think there’s a perfect answer do the exceptions. I’ve never sat at a PJ show and don’t plan to. I’d feel bad if the person behind me has a physical disability preventing them from standing. But as others said, there are accommodations for that. If you are to ashamed to ask for those accommodations then I guess it isn’t fair to ask someone to sit.
sometimes they may not be available or whatever, and if someone told me they physically couldn’t stand then I may switch with them.
But how is that any different from me being 5’9” getting stuck behind someone 6’6” in GA?

Last time i stood in seating i had a chat with people behind me to make sure they were going to stand and if not then i was going to offer to swap seats. Just taking care of those nearby really.

I think its stupid to sit at a gig in the same way i stand at football matches as i physically cant sit down because its too exciting.

BUT and this is the big but here, its not fair for anyone to assume anything about the people around them. If someone asks you to sit down then you can ask them to swap or ask them if they want to stand up. Standing in front of someone who has asked you to sit is so arrogant and not in the spirit id expect with PJ fans.

There is no perfect solution but being considerate of your neighbour isnt an unfair thing to ask.

Seems like the OP didnt make any provision, was asked to sit and almost told them to fuck off. That's so out of order. 

Rock gig or not. Just consider others may have issues and be nice to people. Its not that tough is it

I'd made plenty of provision, I sat for 26 of the 33 songs!  I wasn't rude to the guy, didn't raise my voice, wasn't drunk or aggressive.  In fact I was much more civil to him with my words than he was to me.  If he'd cared to look around the block he was sitting in, most people were standing.  He certainly didn't consider whether I might have needed to stand up for any reason, he just presumed it was his right to tell me to sit down.  He didn't speak to me before the show and ask if I was planning on standing at all and voice his concerns.  And what if he did?  If I'd gone to a steward and said the guy is trying to make me sit all night, he would have said it's in the terms and conditions that you're allowed to stand.

In terms of you being offended (presumably) by my use of the word 'victim', I was boiling the argument down to its bare bones, and certainly didn't mean to imply that people with disabilities are victims, so hands up, my bad.  What I was trying to say in a hamfisted way, is that your moral argument would never be able to accommodate everyone.  There are no end of issues that people could potentially have, and the venue do their best to accommodate them.  I have first hand experience of that with family members and friends who have had to be re-seated due to medical issues, and it has never been a problem, even at well sold-out shows.

In fact I have an example where the boot was on the other foot.  My sister and I bought my parents tickets to see Adele at the O2, when my sister's friend pulled out I decided to go(honest story, don't judge!).  We had seats way up in the gods, at the back, when we got there my mum had a panic attack because of the height, and to cut a long story short we got reseated on the floor right by the stage (it was an all seated show).  People sat for virtually all of the night, which is totally to be expected given the type of songs Adele sings.  There was, however, a woman who stood for the entire show, and was blocking a lot of people's views.  Over the course of the night around ten people went and asked her to sit down, including my sister.  In turns out she had not long had a baby, and had developed some sort of problem with her lower back and it was painful to sit.  So who is in the right?  I don't know whose entitlement trumps who's?  

My feeling last night was that I'd sat down for the majority of the show, they were playing some of the more energetic songs, it was nearing the end, and most people were standing up.  

And to think I thought he was tapping me on the back to congratulate me on getting the song played!

Fair enough. Thanks for the reply. That was more considered than previous replies and makes a lot more sense now.

Maybe this guy was just a curmudgeon and a bit of a knob. Probably a good thing you stood in his way hahaha 

fizzyade

ZeldaZonk said:

PJ_Soul said:

I haven't read the thread, so this has likely already been said, but my perspective is that one should pretty much just go with whatever everyone around them is doing. If everyone is standing, stand up... If plenty of people are standing but many are also sitting, do whatever you want and keep your trap shut if you choose to sit while the person in front of you stands, and if everyone is sitting and you're the only one standing, that's your signal to get your ass back in your chair, lol, or at least leave your seat and go up behind the seats, like at the entrance to the section, so you can boogie without being an obstruction. And what that all boils down to is being reasonably considerate of those around you and going with the general flow. It's the burden of being a member of a crowd. You're not completely just an individual when you're part of a crowd, figuratively.
As for the issue of people who can't stand for one reason or another.... I think that's just too bad, to be blunt. If they can't stand during a show where many others are standing, they should be thinking about how they will make smarter choices when buying tickets going forward.

Hmmm.....interesting. There are only a limited number of ADA seats available at any show, even fewer when it comes to 10c tickets. So I either have to request ADA seats and hope I make the lottery, or put in for reserved seats and then cross my fingers/deal with the consequences. What kind of "smarter choices" are you referring to? Miss the show? I got shut out of ADA seats for TOTD in Seattle and ended up having to buy reserved seats from someone on Craigslist for a hefty price. Missing the show was NOT an option for me, and thankfully I didn't miss it seeing as what happened last year with Chris.

This 100%. This is the same situation as me for the second night.  No accessible seats available but general seating was, if I wanted to go then I had no choice but to take these seats.

Unless people have tried to buy accessible tickets themselves, I think it's hard to understand how difficult it can be.  Here in the UK it's rare to be able to buy them online, usually you have to phone a special number and pray that there are some left by the time somebody answers.

I've been to venues (small ones) where there is literally one or two spaces in the entire place for wheelchair users!