> This is just a random observation that I always seem to have but always forget to bring up.
>
> It has to do with that classic custom of maximum praise, the standing ovation. I learned what high praise this was after receiving a standing ovation at the first night of our school's operetta when I was in sixth grade. Our teachers explained to us how proud we should be to have garnered this response.
>
> Since then, I have seen many other performances in many other theaters. And since then, I've begun to wonder just how high a respect the standing ovation represents.
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> To me, it seems that standing ovations are being given at the drop of a hat. I will be applauding at the end of what I feel was a good but by no means extraordinary production, and roll my eyes when I see a small group of people about three rows up standing up.
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> Have we arrived at a point where it's considered rude to not give a standing ovation? Just because I'm still sitting as I applaud doesn't mean I'm applauding halfheartedly. If I wanted to get that point across, I wouldn't be clapping at all.
>
> Well, anyway, am I the only one that feels this way? I have a tendency to see things in a warped perspective.
>
> --Mense"Maybe I should start throwing tomatoes"kemeser

I have noticed this too... Sometimes it is hard, but I notice that it is very rare that the entire audience will stand, and so if I don't feel that one is deserved, I don't stand. A lot of the time, too, the audience is a big factor--I mean, a mother who is there to watch her child in his or her very first performance is VERY likely to give a standing ovation, even if the performace stunk. On the other hand, at expensive theatre, most people are going to be connoisseurs (sp?) who will know an excellent performance from a medicore one, and are likely to only stand if it is deserved.

Anyway, my point is, stand if you feel like it, don't stand if you don't, and ignore the other people. That's what I do.

Don Monkey