Minimize sharing at concerts

Chatting with friends over dinner with a piano player singing softly in the background is one thing.

However, not to put a damper on an otherwise top-notch and awesome Festival season …

Nattering non-stop during a concert with a few thousand of your nearest and dearest so people three rows over can hear you — not to mention the performer — is downright rude.

I don't want to know about your break-up (although I'm sorry that you're upset and I'm sure that, yes, it is all his fault but there is such a thing as too much information). I don't need the stadium "go team" shout outs ("Go French?" One, I don't want to know; and two, shout outs are OK at a sporting event, but not a mellow jazz concert).

Last year, the talking and cell phone conversations were so bad, Festival volunteers had signs made up that said, "Shhhh" to hold up near the most flagrant offenders.

Yes, it is an outdoor venue and a degree of conversation is to be expected. I have to admit to leaning over to make a quick comment or two to my mom or to a friend sitting on either side of me. I did not, however, raise my voice to be heard over the music and share intimate details of my life.

It boils down to a matter of respect — for your fellow concert-goers and the performer. If you want to gossip with buds and listen to music — pop in a CD and veg out home.

You'll have more fun, fellow concert-goers will have more fun and the performers will have more fun.

? Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.