Unwritten rules (until now)...let's talk about 'em

[StealthMode]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I am small, you do not need to comment on it all the time. (i.e. "wow you're short!")

Same with people who are tall. I have a co-worker who is almost 7'0" and I feel so badly for him when new people walk it and immediately yell "WHOOOAAAA HE'S LIKE A GIRAFFE! LOOK AT HIS FEET! HEY, CAN I TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU???" He's a good sport but he has got to want to choke some people.

You do not touch other people's children in public. I was out with my god-daughter, and a woman once pinched her cheeks in public and I almost fell out.

If a stranger touched my goddaughter, s/he would have to put on the whole armor of God.

[DrPhil]

The same applies to adults. Don't randomly touch someone's body including hair. You may love my Angela Davis Afro but I will "power to the people" fist pump you in the throat if you touch it. I have had colleagues and complete strangers do that and it takes everything in me not to get mad.

[StealthMode]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

The same applies to adults. Don't randomly touch someone's body including hair. You may love my Angela Davis Afro but I will "power to the people" fist pump you in the throat if you touch it. I have had colleagues and complete strangers do that and it takes everything in me not to get mad.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Can someone please repeal the unwritten rule that it is necessary for the audience to stand during the Hallelujah Chorus?

I've played this piece a number of times and have never heard of the audience standing. I'm not a singer though, so maybe it's a different experience?

[als463]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

The same applies to adults. Don't randomly touch someone's body including hair. You may love my Angela Davis Afro but I will "power to the people" fist pump you in the throat if you touch it. I have had colleagues and complete strangers do that and it takes everything in me not to get mad.

I agree. What is it with people wanting to touch others? I hate when I see strangers touch the belly of a pregnant woman. Awkward! I'm also with KSU Violet that us short people don't like to be picked up or used as arm rests. You have no idea how many people (it's fine if we are friends--not if I don't know you) come up to me and put their arm on top of my head because I am so short as an arm rest and laugh at my size. Hey now! That's weird!

As far as the grocery bags---Am I the only one that feels that way? Come on, guys! It weirds me out!

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I've played this piece a number of times and have never heard of the audience standing. I'm not a singer though, so maybe it's a different experience?

The story, first recorded 30+ years after Messiah's premiere, is that King George stood as the chorus started and remained standing throughout. Depending on who you ask or what source you consult, the reason supposedly was (1) to acknowledge the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords," (2) because he was so moved by the music, or (3) to stretch his legs. But when the king stands, everone else present must stand.

But whatever the reason, it's been going on since the 1750s or so, on both sides of The Pond.

[amanda6035]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The story, first recorded 30+ years after Messiah's premiere, is that King George stood as the chorus started and remained standing throughout. Depending on who you ask or what source you consult, the reason supposedly was (1) to acknowledge the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords," (2) because he was so moved by the music, or (3) to stretch his legs. But when the king stands, everone else present must stand.

But whatever the reason, it's been going on since the 1750s or so, on both sides of The Pond.

Funny. We sang this during the our church cantata this year, and Bill, the guy who sits next to me (I sing tenor) made a comment about whether or not everyone would stand "as they are supposed to" and sure enough, everyone did.

I dunno. I kinda like it.... for reason #1.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by als463

As far as the grocery bags---Am I the only one that feels that way? Come on, guys! It weirds me out!

I think it might just be you.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Okay, here is DBB's guide to switching seats on an airplane:

1) You may not ask someone to switch their seat for a worse one. I don't care that you want to sit next to your friend/lover/kid/whatever.

2) You may ask someone to switch their seat for a better one.

3) If two seats are possibly equivalent, but it depends on personal preference, you may ask once, but you must back off after a single polite decline. For example, if you want to switch an aisle for a window or vice-versa, this is okay, because it is debatable which is a "better" seat, but the askee has the right to say no.

4) The better/worse calculation takes into consideration not just aisle/middle/window, but also proximity to lav (ew), row number (front is generally better), bulkheads, etc. The askee is entitled to decline for any/all of these reasons.

5) In the event that you and your kid are in far apart shitty seats, you may violate rule #1, but you should acknowledge that you are asking someone for a big favor, and offer to buy them a drink or something in return. Again, however, the askee is entitled to say no.

[BraveMaroon]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Okay, here is DBB's guide to switching seats on an airplane:

5) In the event that you and your kid are in far apart shitty seats, you may violate rule #1, but you should acknowledge that you are asking someone for a big favor, and offer to buy them a drink or something in return. Again, however, the askee is entitled to say no.

This happens on at least one flight a month that I'm on.

Now, if it's Southwest and people are just being douchey, that's one thing, but if you're on an airline that ASSIGNS SEATS (ie; the vast majority of all airlines), you generally know you're hosed as you're buying the tickets. That's when you call the airline and get them to try and help.

We had a woman very passive-aggressively asking no one in particular, "Ok, sooooo....who's gonna help me so me and my kids can sit together?" on a flight from Anchorage to Minneapolis. She had two middles and a window. She ended up in a middle one row ahead of her two young kids who took middle and window. Understandably, nobody was willing to budge on a five hour flight. The aisle guy on her row had the added bonus of just having had shoulder surgery and was trying to be as still as possible. I question his choice of not picking window, but what do I know?

Anyway, I was sitting on the other side of the plane in my aisle seat, so even if I'd have been willing to move, it wouldn't have helped. Also, I ended up sitting next to a guy who stank, so it's not like I had a luxury ride.

I travel 70% of the time for work. Your rules are SPOT ON.

[StealthMode]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

If you live in CA, you don't use these bags at all...

My city charges for bags but the next town over does not. Thankfully, the grocery store up the street from my residence is technically over the city line. Free bags for me (if I need them). Honestly, I reuse them so much (they make GREAT lunch sacks) that I don't feel badly.