An etiquette expert has revealed the dos and don’ts of gigs - and said sitting on a pal's shoulders is "just rude" and says you should never sing too loudly.<br /><br />Jackie Vernon-Thompson, 52, has been an etiquette expert since 2000, and says there are rules people should “always” follow at live shows.<br /><br />She believes people should be as early as they can, look up the venue well in advance - and “absolutely no loud singing”. <br /><br />Jackie, a realtor from Sunrise, Florida, US, says: “The most important thing is to be cognisant - enjoy yourself and have the best time, but be mindful of others around you.<br /><br />“Before attending the concert, make sure you look at the layout of the venue first. <br /><br />"Get organised and be in the know, so you’re not scrabbling around and looking for your seat on the day.<br /><br />“With that in mind - make sure you’re early, even if you’re in an assigned seat. This will help you to avoid pushing other people and squeezing to get past.”<br /><br />One of Jackie’s biggest rules is to totally avoid getting on a pal's shoulders during a concert.<br /><br />She said: “People are standing behind you - don’t block their view by getting on someone’s shoulders, wearing large or tall hats!<br /><br />“It is just rude.”<br /><br />Being considerate of the fact that people have paid for tickets makes a big difference, according to Jackie.<br /><br />“Don’t start singing over the artist, or band - the people around you have paid to be there, sometimes a lot of money. <br /><br />“It’s okay to sing along, but when you’re drowning out the artist, it could spark conflict.<br /><br />“Someone could ask you to calm down, and the last thing you want is an argument.<br /><br />“In the same vein, don’t start having conversations across each other - loud or lengthy conversations while an artist is playing wouldn’t be fair to the others around you.”<br /><br />The etiquette expert says that people should be mindful of what their own body is doing during a show - including kicking other people, shoving and singing in someone’s face. <br /><br />Jackie added: “Keep your feet on the floor. Don’t, under any circumstances, rest them on the seat in front of you - not on the headrest, not on the armrest, not on the back of the chair. <br /><br />“Don’t push all the way to the front - it’s not that serious. Just remain exactly where you are and have a good time!<br /><br />“Hygiene is incredibly important, too. Make sure you’re showering, applying deodorant, brushing your teeth and chewing gum before going to watch a concert. <br /><br />“You’re going to be in close proximity to people - sometimes singing, or cheering in someone’s face is unavoidable. You’ll also be raising your arms a lot.<br /><br />“Make sure you’re making it a pleasant experience for everyone else. Keep clean.”
