I want to start by saying this article can be read by anyone and it is for anyone. That means any age, hair color, sexual orientation, music style preference, day job, night job, and nationality. My point here: I’m not picking out a certain group of people. Concerts are for everyone and they come with an unwritten set of rules regarding etiquette.

To begin, I should start by explaining why I am writing this in the first place. It is a simple answer, I love going to concerts. I am a die-hard concert-goer and there are a few artists that I never miss when they come to the tri-state area.

But every single time I go to a show, I witness someone directly or indirectly breaking these unwritten rules of etiquette. Although I always keep my cool I think it’s important that these situations be addressed.

Standing room only/general admission:

Everyone wants to get to the front. Kudos to you if you make it there, and kudos to you if you have the courage to try to make it there. But, be prepared for people to push and shove you backwards probably twice as many times as you move forward.

Don’t be obnoxious with your arms and body movements, but have fun. Dancing and jumping are always acceptable, but not if your flailing around like a fish. It really does ruin the show for other people because they are so distracted by you.

In some genres, opening up a mosh pit is perfectly acceptable. But for the people that move out of the way and clearly don’t want to be a part of it, leave them be. There’s a reason that they haven’t tried to join the pit yet.

Here’s a big one. If you know the artist kind of well or even not at all, that’s cool. Good for you for going to a show where you don’t know the words or the songs or the band members. But if you are standing by someone that is clearly a huge fan, let them stand in front of you, or let them angle their shoulder in front of yours. To super fans, even an inch closer means a lot to us, so just let it happen.

Seating:

These are pretty simple. When you have a seat for a concert, congratulations! You don’t have to stand with all the crazy sweaty people by the stage. But they still have rules. If someone is trying to leave their seat for the bathroom or a drink or whatever, politely make way for them. It’s not their fault that they got this seat that is far from the aisle. If you were in a different seat, you’d be doing the same thing. So don’t make it like it’s such a hassle for you to move out of the way for these people.

Do your best to hold your drinks steady. Again, have fun at the concert and dance your heart out. But when you spill your drink on someone, especially alcohol, no one is happy in that situation.

And so my fellow concert-goers I send you off into the world! Just keep in mind the unwritten rules of etiquette the next time you go to a show, your courtesy will go a long way.