Dancing at a concert brings on a twist

DEAR AMY » I have a question about dancing etiquette. I am a middle-aged woman. My daughter and I recently attended a concert of the B-52s at a theater venue. Most of the audience members were my age.

People were seated and quite stationary during the concert. I wanted to dance but didn’t want to bother anyone.

Finally, a couple of people near the front started dancing, but the people in back of them complained that the dancers were blocking their view.

Is there a right answer when it comes to dancing at a concert in a theater?

— Wanna Dance

DEAR WANNA

DANCE » What kind of superhuman can stay seated during “Love Shack”? (Not I...)

I shared your question with my friend Dan Smalls, a concert promoter in New York and New England, who has dealt with acts ranging from Jackson Browne to Modest Mouse.

He responds: “This is a constant problem in seated theaters, as most acts are in favor of scaled ticket prices (meaning the seats closer to the stage cost more than those farther away).

“Artists also want people standing up in front of the stage during these kinds of songs to create that energy during the performance, but when folks from the cheaper seats move toward the stage to dance, and block the view of those who paid more, the promoter and venue are the ones who take the flack, not the artists.

“There is no easy solution, except maybe to step to the side aisles if one feels the need to get up and groove — that way you aren’t in front of anyone ... except other dancers.”

I would add that a dancer might handle this by inviting those who are seated to dance, too.

DEAR AMY » “Sweetie Pie” objected to a co-worker continually calling him/her “Baby,” “Honey,” etc.

Years ago I did secretarial work at an engineering firm where 100 engineers sat at desks in one big open space.

One day when I delivered some typing to one of the engineers, he said, “Thanks, Honey.” I replied loudly, “You’re welcome, Sweetie Pie.”

Everyone laughed. And he never called me anything but my name again. — My name is Linda

DEAR LINDA » Brilliant.