h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am retiring to my nest in order to forget the gross mistake that I made this evening. I shall always remember The Pathetique.

Posted: Thursday 26 October 2006 01:46:03

Oh dear oh dear. I suppose you'll have to return your season ticket now and never go to another concert again

To be fair though, the third movement does sound as though it might be the end of the piece - no sorry, there's no excuse for what you've done.

I did once start clapping at the end of a movement of an unfamiliar piece in a student competition - but students are often very bad at indicating to the audience when they've finished. Well, that was my excuse - what's yours?

I usually feel that people are far too keen to start clapping at the end of a piece anyway so I always leave quite a gap before I start applauding which ensures that I don't make a similar faux pas. The concert at the University last Friday lunchtime was full of premature clapping - people even applauded after the prelude of a prelude and fugue.

Good morning Andy,

You are making me feel even worse! It was such an odd evening. So many people made a rumpus-coughing, dropping things, doors banging...At one point, a lot of us turned around to see what on earth was going on!!

And in the second half, I was totally preoccupied with something else!! I clapped because I was not paying much attention. Well, I was in as much that one cannot not pay attention to that 3rd movement. But I just followed the small herd because I forgot that there was a 4th movement.

Argh-it was agonizing!! But you are not to laugh !!!

Thankfully the next concert is not until mid November so by then the regulars might have forgotten the incident????

I will say it was my sister.

Wear woolly gloves Carole then no one will hear you!

That is a brilliant idea, MJ.

Posted: Thursday 26 October 2006 23:18:13

You could always try to bluff your way and start complaining about someone clapping in the wrong place at the last concert - perhaps no-one will remember it was you (or your sister ) or if they do they'll think they must be mistaken.

Sounds as tho people were being pretty noisy in general from what you said. It does so annoy me at times when other people can't keep quiet or sit still.

I had sat as quiet as a . And then clapped loudly.

Ach, who cares?