[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by Uptown Girl

Basically, it is like this: Community chairs are first come, first served. They are not meant to be 'reserved' for future use when it is convenient to finally sit in them, but to be occupied when you take them.

Most reasonable situations, like using the bathroom or getting up to dance are perfectly acceptable times to place a sweater or such on a chair. People around are observant.... if they see you get up to dance, they will casually sort of guard that chair for you if someone new comes along.

Most people aren't sitting alone, and usually one stays with the chairs, while the other gets a beverage or uses the bathroom. If one IS alone, they can tell the person in the chair next to them that they are going to the bathroom and will be right back.

MOST people will ask if vacant chairs are being used, as often when people leave to go home, the chairs stay where they have been placed.

But when people stand through a performance, because all the chairs are spoken for..... and they see 'reserved chairs' that sit there without an occupant long after the music starts.... they get ANNOYED. It's considered HOGGING and that is distasteful to encounter FROM OTHER ADULTS when you are anticipating a pleasant evening.

Many people will ask someone standing if they would like their chairs when they are ready to leave, or let someone nearby know the chairs are available.
It's just common courtesy.

That's why bringing your own chairs makes so much sense for those who believe as you do.
It not only eliminates the problem of HOGGING, you can mark it with your stuff and nobody will bother it..... unless you place it in the line of the dancers. If it is empty and a hazard to the dancers, it will be moved, but certainly not tossed into the bushes.

HOGGING goes further sometimes, and only adds to the ire. For example, we have seen multiple parking spaces 'reserved' WAY ahead of time using ridiculous ribbons, rope, etc. when there is a popular event going on. Of course, those who are regular folk again get ANNOYED, driving around and around looking for someplace to park, to discover much later that the 'reservists' haven't yet graced us with their presence.... but expect those spaces be available to them anyway, even hours later.
Parking spaces are not reservable either.
This hogging behavior tends to creatively morph into every activity available, unless people get called on it.

I do believe that people who operate in this way count on everyone else to be 'politically correct', non confrontational, and let them have their way. If we don't, they get HIGHLY offended. If we DO give in, their low opinion of others is validated, and their behavior gets worse.
Doesn't make for happy campers when you must co-exist with (fill in the blank) when you just want to enjoy.
See?

Very well stated and right on the mark...