I suppose since that seems to be the trend, we could find a way to build in
audience participation and interaction instead of expecting people passively
to sit back and soak it up. Harpists seem to do more of that than other
musicians, talking about the harp, pieces, etc., even in fairly formal
situations.
Personally, I love the formal attire, reverence, etc., and have given up
going anywhere the audience is going to be talking (thank God for
Blockbuster video) if possible. I blame t.v. Chomp on your pizza and slug
your beer in the tv. and you start thinking the whole world is your family
room. Some people, of course, think the whole world is their toilet, if the
streets of some cities are the reference point!
I personally think the behavior is just plain bad manners, irrespective of
cultural style or ethnicity (I'm one of those federally recognized
minorities, so don't flame me, please), and I do not find my enjoyment the
least enhanced by it.
Never mind training kids in values, abstinence, or whatever. I'll take
ettiquette courses for them instead. Joyce