OT: Concert Etiquette

[Beth]

In another stellar example of arts appreciation in our city, there 
was a choir festival tonight starring 4th and 5th graders (9-11 year 
olds) from local schools. Despite a printed insert outlining proper 
concert etiquette that was pointed out by the fine arts coordinator 
before the start of the concert, the auditorium buzzed with constant 
conversation and occasional cell phone use. I tried to ignore the 
murmuring and snickering behind me, but during an intermission 
before the guest choir (/during/ whose performance most of the 
audience left or found various reasons to wander the aisles), while 
the family talked themselves into convincing (to them) reasons to 
leave, I finally turned to them and asked, "So, the next Bears' game 
at your house?"

"No," the father answered, "my son's the fan."

"Oh," I shrugged, "I just thought it would be the perfect place for 
my family's next pointless conversation."

After a moment of stunned silence, the mother said, "I think she's 
being rude."

Yes, I was, and I wish I were more ashamed of it, but I'm not, so 
I'm asking: Is this common where you live? How do you/would you have 
handle(d) it?

Beth, who's Invisibility Cloak is not only dirty, but frayed!