EDITORIAL
A paid seat earns a measure of respect

How we sympathize with Doug Olivares and his wife, who saved to buy two expensive seats at the Waikiki Shell to hear Robert Cray and Bonnie Raitt, only to have the couple seated behind them insist on — loudly and amateurishly — singing along to every word of every song.

We cringed as we read the letter from Olivares in Friday's Advertiser as he detailed his frustration and anger.

We suspect such thoughtlessness is a function of the television generation. There's nothing wrong — in your home, in front of your television — with talking, singing, shouting or throwing things at the screen, if that's what you like to do.

Sitting in an auditorium or theater is a totally different proposition. In that case, you're seated next to people who have paid for their seats. Those people are entitled to your respect. That means:

• Turn off cell phones and pagers. No, no, we know you think you're an exception. You're wrong. Turn them off.
• Bring cough drops if your throat tickles. Eat and open your food packages quietly. Take it easy on the perfume and aftershave.
• Please do not ask your seatmate, "Is he gonna kiss her?" at the most dramatic moment in the movie. Be patient; the director will let you know what he wants you to know when he wants you to know it.
• Don't sing along with Bonnie Raitt. You don't have the talent.