While taking videos and photos to post on social media is very normal, what is the line? The debate over public etiquette regarding filming is ongoing, and when a woman asked a stranger to stop dancing at a concert so she could film, many people had opinions.
Here’s what you need to know.
A woman was trying to enjoy an Usher concert.
Embed from Getty ImagesChaka Ayana, who goes by princessology on Threads, posted about her experience at an Usher concert.
She said, “A girl behind me asked me to stop dancing (had my arms in the air, just normal stuff) so she could take a video??”
At first, she stopped dancing to let the other woman film.
Chaka said at first that she did comply with the request, but the second time the other woman asked she said, “I was here to enjoy the show and went back to what I was doing, at which point she left. I just feel like it’s kind of insane to ask someone in front of you to stop enjoying a concert because YOU want to take a grainy Instagram video?? Like??”
Most of us, indeed, like to show off on social media.
Look, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look cool and cute on social media. It’s pretty normal to want to get a fun video of a picture when doing something exciting like going to a concert. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be considerate of others.
A simple request doesn’t seem too harmful, either.
While being in a crowded public space is not your photoshoot, it also doesn’t seem like a huge deal to ask if someone can pause dancing briefly for you to take a video. It probably depends on how nicely you ask and if you are respectful about it.
After all, asking once seems fine, but asking again seems frustrating.
This incident sparked debate on phone etiquette.
Many people who responded to the post felt like concert manners have worsened recently. While many people want to record on their phones or take a picture, it can get old when no one seems to be participating in the present moment.
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Some commenters felt that people should not use their phones much at concerts.
As Lynn Thomas, ljtlpt8, said, “We didn’t have cell phones back in the day. We just enjoyed ourselves IN THE MOMENT. Nobody knows how to do that anymore…they just HAVE to record EVERYTHING in their lives. YOU were in the right, she was rude and was only concerned with HER “experience/video.”
Others felt that the woman who posted was wrong for getting annoyed.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile a couple of commenters felt like Chaka was overreacting to the request to stop dancing, she revealed in the comments just how nice she had been.
Chaka explained that she stopped dancing for the woman to video for 20 minutes, saying, “I gave her SEVERAL songs, but then had to make it clear I wasn’t going to spend the night being held hostage by her need to document the entire concert on her phone.”
Asking someone to be still for an entire concert to video is totally unreasonable.
This context makes it clear how unfair and rude the other woman was for asking Chaka to stop dancing.
If she just wanted to take a quick video and asked politely that would be one thing. But expecting people around you not to enjoy themselves or experience a concert is ridiculous.
The majority of people felt the original poster was right to be frustrated.
Most other Threads users who commented were on Chaka’s side. As Mike Alton said, “So strange. Isn’t that half the experience?! Watching the folks around you enjoy themselves?”
Others noted that most videos of concerts don’t look good anyway.
While it’s tempting to take a bunch of videos of a concert, the truth is those phone videos rarely look good. As one user added, “Lol every time I try to take videos at concerts. It’s just a really sh** video of the person. And a really loud flat singing ruined the whole thing.”
Generally, people need to remember to be considerate and act reasonably.
While it’s not necessarily wrong to take videos and photos in public, even in busy areas, it’s important to remember that the experience isn’t all about you. Living in the moment can be rewarding; if your phone use negatively impacts others, it might be time to put it away.
Phones aren’t going away, but it’s key to use common sense.
Most people like to look happy and cool on social media. But remember, it’s rude to expect to be the main character everywhere you go. Even if your job is an influencer, it doesn’t give you the right to demand others get out of the way of your content.
What do you think about phones and concert etiquette?
Do you think asking others to move to take videos is rude? Is it okay if it’s a reasonable request? Concert etiquette around phones is a hot-button issue and not just at concerts.
Ideally, we all need to remember to be considerate to one another!