stop making plans; start making sense.

Today's topic in QOTD was Concert Etiquette. 
I've seen over 150 bands live.
I'm not sure how many concerts that equates to... but it's been a lot.
This is what I want the fans around me in the crowd to know.

How to Behave at a Concert
-by fingersxcrossed

1.) Don't go in stupid. Know what type of crowd you're going to. If it's All Time Low, there are going to be 1000 fangirls/fanboys all trying to touch Alex Gaskarth. If you're going to Slipknot, there are going to be really awkward guys moshing, some of whom weigh 300 lbs, others of whom weigh 90lbs. That sort of thing.

2.) If you are a parent, take your child into the crowd only if they can handle themselves. If they are going to start crying the second someone touches them, it's a bad idea to take them into a crowd.

3.) The "hotness" of the guys in the band directly correlates to the amount of pushing towards the front there will be. A lot of the time this comes from people shifting in the back of the crowd. Do not blame the people directly next to you unless they are doing something purposely stupid.  They are probably being pushed just as much as they are.

4.) Rib cages are solid. You cannot go through someone's rib cage.

5.) Jumping on someone's back will not get them out of the way. It will get you an elbow to the gut.

6.) If you're at a harder show, there will be moshing. Get over it.

7.) If you're crowd surfing, make sure that the people in the crowd aren't pansies and that they will actually be willing to support your weight as you launch yourself over their heads.

8.) Don't pull hair. That's just not cool.

9.) Don't announce how hot the band members are, or say that you wand to do lewd things to them. No one wants to hear this. And in smaller venues, where the band can hear what the crowd is saying, this is even more important. Even if you're not embarrassed, everyone else will be.

10.) Don't be a bitch/douche/jerk/asshole to the people around you unless they really, really deserve it. You will be touching people, yes, and if someone needs to get their phone out of their pocket and pushes your arm a little on accident, this is NOT cause to cuss them out. If they're intentionally karate-chopping you in the back to try to get in front of you, you can cuss them out.

11.) If you find a band so boring that you feel the need to touch yourself to be amused- wait. JUST DON'T DO THAT IN PUBLIC. And if you do, DO NOT ANNOUNCE IT.

12.) If you insist on bringing beer into the crowd, mind where you're sloshing it.  No one, especially not 16-year-old girls that don't drink, wants beer spilled on them.

13.) Move with the crowd.  If everyone is jumping, it'll be easier if you bounce along with them than if you try to resist it.  If the crowd is being pushed to one side or the other, move with it.  Don't try to keep your spot, you'll get it back when everyone pushes the opposite direction.  You will likely be hit with lots of bodies and fall over if you try to stand still.

14.) If you need someone to protect you at all times in the crowd, you should not be in the crowd.

15.) Try to make friends!  I made a friend at the last show I went to by striking up a conversation with some people around me.  I mean, you're sweating all over each other anyways.

16.) If you're throwing down, go to the center of the open area/circle pit.  Do not attepmt to throw down while people are two inches from you.

17.) No one wants to watch you make out at the beginning of every Mayday Parade song.  Please refrain from sticking your tongue in anyone's mouth. (suggested by prettyinpunk27)

18.) At least LOOK like you're interested in the band that's playing.  Even if you're only there for Saosin, you can at least pretend like you're having fun during Norma Jean- you don't have to look like you're bored out of your skull.

19.) Have fun!  Seriously, do what you can to make this concert the best ever, for you and the people around you.

I've been cussed out by fourteen-year-old girls at NeverShoutNever!, threatened with physical violence by parents of small children at a My Chemical Romance show, had an entire beer spilled on me at AFI, cussed out for jumping at Motion City Soundtrack, been repetively kneed in the vagina at The Academy Is..., had a girl jump on my back at The Academy Is..., been told the guy next to me was trying to jack off during Mae, been hit in the face with the guitarists of both Alesana and Sing It Loud's guitars, punched in boob too many times to count, had the person who was resting their arms on me be in love with Sarah Palin, and have had so many other negative things.
But I love going to shows so much, because of all of the positive things.
I've been face to face with the lead singers of Envy on the Coast, Sing It Loud, and Amber Pacific, made friends with people in AFI's crowd, met up with Sara, Mark, John, and other Buzzneters at various shows, bounced and danced and sang at the top of my lungs with some of my best friends, found out about some of the greatest bands I'd otherwise never have known about, met amazing people in bands, crowd-surfed, moshed, did the Wall of Death, caught a drumstick and many picks, gotten setlists, cried to my favorite songs, and overall had the time of my life.
As long as people are respectful, concerts are the best things on earth.

Xo.
-Andi