Excuse me….

A few week’s ago, Russ and I attended a music concert at the local amphitheater. 

This is a new and popular addition to our community. We are a drive-by city in the middle of a fly-over state and while we happen to think this is a fine place to live full of the best people, major artists probably do not consider us a prime stop. 

All of that changed with the donation of a man who is benevolent to us here. An amphitheater was built on the edge of our lake and we actually get some nice concerts throughout the spring through fall months. 

There are a variety of seating levels from boxes hired out by local companies all the way to the open seating on the hill that slopes upward from the venue. We typically try to get the mid-priced seats in what is known as the “Terrace”. 

These are wide levels of astroturf that create a kind of staggered seating up the hill. Each section can hold two rows of yard chairs that attendees bring. People line up fairly early to set up their chairs in the better seating which is along the edge of a terrace section, thereby assuring a clear view as the chairs in front are one level down. 

We are not these people and are just happy if we actually can find a spot on the terrace level, since we paid for it. 

For this particular concert, a brief rain shower had slowed down arrival times and it was not a sold out concert so there were plenty of open spots. 

However, we discovered that because is was not crowded, the early birds had set up their chairs with large gaps between groups. And by large, I mean enough space for maybe one and a half yard chairs. 

Since no one really attends alone this meant that there was little to no chance anyone would try and sit next to them. 

Russ and I found some seats behind a space that was a little wider. There was just enough room for us if the people on either side had scooted over a tad. In front of this open space was a water thermos. 

We assumed someone had left it there to reserve the spot and was coming with a yard chair soon. As the concert started and no one appeared, Russ asked the people on either side if that was their water bottle. 

Both sides shook their heads no, turned away and smiled, as I remember. 

And didn’t offer to scoot over to let us move forward. 

We were okay, but it baffled us. 

Why would you not realize that there was just a few inches shy of space for the couple behind you to move forward and see better?

Why would you not use the ample space on the far side of your group, move over and make room?

As Russ and I typically say when we ask these kinds of questions, because they don’t think about the space they are taking up or they don’t care. 

And all I can say is…we need to be aware of these things. 

We need to be aware if we are walking in the middle of the sidewalk and everyone is having to walk around us. 

We need to realize when we are standing in front of the people behind us and move out the way. 

We need to mind our complaining about something without thinking about how our listener would give anything to have what we are grousing over. 

And we need to be willing to slide down and make room for someone when we have settled ourselves in our comfy spot. 

We can do better and we should.