Everybody has a story to share about bad behavior at concerts

Wow, did you make my day with Aidin Vaziri’s article “How not to be a total jerk at a concert” (Aug. 17). Has he been sitting beside me for all the years I have been going to concerts?

I have been going to Jackson Browne concerts since ... forever. I finally had to stop going to see him because I could not take the constant yelling. Itwas always some guy yelling out, “Play ‘Running on Empty’ ” as if it were the battle cry of his generation. I have been to a lot of concerts over the years, but it seems that Jackson attracts theworst of the yellers.

I now stay at home and listen tomy music jerk-free. Plus I save a heck of a lot money.

Heidi Olson, Fort Bragg

I attended the Paul McCartney concert at Candlestick and had field seats. Unfortunately, I discovered that the thousands of folks with these coveted seats never sit. If I sat down, I couldn’t even see the big screens on either side of the stage. Also, I had two extremely drunk, stoned and obnoxious guys sitting directly behind me.

I thoroughly enjoyed Paul’s concert, but between my aching feet and the two morons behind me, I’ve decided this wasmy last large-venue concert!

Marsha Wray, San Bruno

Congrats, Aidin Vaziri, you got it so right. These obnoxious, all-about-me people need to understand just what other people experience.

Iwas at Outside Lands last year, and so far back itwas impossible to see the stage. A male jerk with a huge poster flag blocked the big screen for the majority of the Stevie Wonder performance. When I finally got a chance to speak to this young man, he ignored me until I grabbed his display flag and pushed it to the ground. His look of outrage changed to amazement when the crowd around him started cheering.

I am considering attending only small venues to continue my love of live music. I wish people would think before committing rude acts at big venues.

Lisa Perla, San Francisco

Aidin Vaziri’s list of how not to be a jerk at a show should be given to everyone buying a ticket to a concert— especially the part about cell phones. Maybe allowthe usher to zap the talker with a Taser after giving awarning.

I went to see Steve Winwood in Santa Rosa (in August). Therewas a good opening performance by a solo guitarist that got great applause, and therewere lots of purchasers of his CD afterward. Most people appreciated him, but there were still too many talkers.

Maybe this list should be refined to give to parents after they give birth and modified as the child grows up.

Andrew Smith, Santa Rosa

Great article. I might have added: Don’t scream out “Free Bird” if you don’t like the band.

Robert Magginetti, Hayward

What gets into people? It’s a show— don’t wear your best clothes, be ready to go with the flow, don’t stomp on someone else’s experience.

Pretty simple.

Mary Malloy, Larkspur