In the Audience

July 2012

With the wide array of live shows available to everyone these days, it’s almost impossible to stick to one set of guidelines for those watching—a performance of “The Nutcracker” with the kids, for example, will definitely be a completely different experience from seeing your favorite 1980s band in concert with your high school friends. That said, the one constant audience trait that should remain no matter what type of show you decide to watch, is graciousness—being considerate of everybody else in the audience and being considerate of those on and off stage.

Before grabbing your tickets and heading off to the next concert, play, or performance, make sure to keep these easy to follow tips in mind and enjoy the show!

Keep silent, unless audience participation is called for.

Talk in hushed tones if you must, and instead of harshly “shushing” your noisy neighbor, gently tap him on the shoulder and motion for them to keep quiet instead of making a big to-do. If you catch one of your friends falling asleep and slipping into a snoring spell, wake him up so he doesn’t end up bothering the rest of the audience. If you’ve got chips, popcorn or a drink (assuming it’s a casual concert or something less formal than a play or a ballet), mind the noise all that foil and plastic wrapping makes!

Mind the view.

Remove that baseball hat, lay off on the hairspray and the 1960s beehive hair, and make sure that you’re not obstructing anyone else’s view to the stage.

Excuse yourself.

If you find yourself slipping into a stream of continuous coughing or sneezing, muffle it with a handkerchief or make your way out of your row and head to the rest room. As soon as you feel that tickle in your throat or your nose, head on out asap to keep things as quiet as possible.

Turn off the tech.

Most performances issue a warning for the audience to keep their phones on silent or turn them off completely. Be aware that keeping your alerts off but leaving the vibrating alert on can still cause a ruckus. If you’re waiting for an important call, make sure to step out before taking it. Remember that even texting can be distracting as it leaves a light onscreen and can sometimes interfere with a show’s sound system.

Respect the rules.

If they say no flash photography, turn off the automatic flash on your camera. If they say no photography, save yourself the embarrassment of being cited by an usher and keep your camera in your bag.

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The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Let's Talk Food

June 2012

It’s happened to all of us at some point—being faced with an unfamiliar dish or tricky-looking h’ors d’oeuvre at a social occasion and awkwardly trying to figure out how to take a delicate bite without crossing the rules of etiquette. Before biting your tongue or missing a perfectly good opportunity to open your palate up to delicious new flavors, go through this rundown of quick and easy guidelines so you never have to suffer through another food gaffe at a work event or your next cocktail party again.

Sushi.

While Filipinos are typically familiar with Asian cuisine, including Japanese dishes, sushi can still be a challenge due to its delicate nature and the careful handling required by using wooden chopsticks. To prevent breakage from happening, make sure to dip your sushi fish-side-down in soy sauce, and bring the entire piece straight to your mouth in one bite.

Dimsum.

Most dumplings require a dip in soy sauce as well, and while sushi requires a swift bite, dimsum can be eaten in steps. Take a bite off of dumplings that are too large to eat, and grip your chopsticks firmly in order to ensure that no pieces fall to your plate as you take a bite.

Cocktails.

Many mixed drinks come with pretty accoutrements—swizzle sticks, paper umbrellas, and fruit. It can be disconcerting, trying to figure out whether to have a bite of the pineapple slice on the rim of your glass or whether it’s polite or not to pop that olive in your mouth. Etiquette dictates that the only non-edible item that should be left in your glass after finishing off your cocktail is a straw. Leave any umbrellas and sticks on the table or your plate, and while standing, hold such pieces in your napkin.

Caviar.

Traditionally served in a bowl and on ice, caviar is meant to be spread in small amounts on bite-sized crackers or toasted triangles. When serving yourself, spoon a reasonable amount of caviar onto your plate and work them onto your bread, piece by piece, instead of scooping them directly onto the bread as you walk through the buffet table.

Like this series? We’ll cover more ground within the following months to help you get through your parties throughout the year!

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The Blue Leaf is a great place to host parties, whether you're looking to entertain corporate clients or throw a get-together for friends and family. We can help you forge new bonds and make new memories, no matter what the occasion. For inquiries, call The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at 898-BLUE or visit http://www.theblueleaf.com.ph/ for more information.

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The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion • 632 8872175 • 632 8875687 • inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph

100 Park Avenue, McKinley Hill Village,Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.