How to ask your neighbor to ....

[bouzouki]

A couple years ago I was on the floor at a Crosby Still Nash Young concert in a stadium. The people behind us were adamant that we sit down. Of course the 11 rows in front of us were standing up, so it was a tough sell. So many people with differing expectations, so many ways to get frustrated when you leave the house.

If I need to interject, to learn somebody some manners, its like uncorking d-day. I can't find the calm  way to do that. This is just me, I'm not prescribing anything for anyone, but if I can't move on I do a bit of a meditation to chill out, let go. You can sometimes enjoy the wackiness or whatever behavior is at play. My uncorked state when I'm frustrated isn't good for anyone. I become the problem. Its good to know that about yourself. If I go in with different expectations, I dont' feel ripped off by someone acting out in ways I don't understand.

We all respond to irritations or frustrations differently.  When reality and our expectations don't match, it is easy to become angry.  To be aware of that certainly helps.  I have to say that I come to TBF with the expectation that I am going to have a great time and that any problem that arises around me can be dealt with pleasantly and with a resolution.  It probably will require a compromise, but at TBF compromises usually don't require much more than acknowledging what is happening and finding a comfortable solution.  Acting from a place of love is usually the best way to deal with any situation at TBF.  Knowing in advance that lots of people occupy a relatively small area has made us trust each other, and be respectful, even if you someone to act a little differently, not be so loud, or give you your tarp space back. 
Over the years I have grown to love that about Telluride on the solstice and I hope that I can be a part of the whole that we can all love together.  It is not to pretend that with this many people, no irritations will arise, it is that with our TBF Spirit, the irritations remain minor.

 Listening to: We can work it out-Beatles

[Mark of Bloomington]

Our first trip out to The Festival I was appalled and offended when the people around  us would talk during the sets that we hand driven for two days to hear.  Being a reserve, shy person I did not say anything to them, other than disapproving glances.  By our second or third festival, I realized that this is a "festival", not everyone hero worships the same musicians as I do.  Everyone has driven miles, hours and days to get there and they are probably with friends they haven't seen in many moons with a lot of visiting and rebonding to do.  I am not saying I still do not appreciate a quiet respect when Peter Rowan is singing my favorite tunes that I have heard him play and sing twenty million times, but this is a FESTIVAL.  I need to just to take it in stride.  If I really need to see a musician and hear him critically I visit his website and see where they might be playing in some small auditorium/venue a little closer to home, and catch him off the festival circuit.

[mark2010]

Now there is always and exception to the rule, I would talk all the way through a Beatles set.

But then thats just me.....

 Listening to: Beatles Reunion Blues - Mike Scott

[bouzouki]

I realized that I talk through church so I formed my own, and I get to talk as much as I like, only not in the listening area at TBF.  the other thing is that with nobody listening, I can do it all in my head.

[bouzouki]

So how do you ask your neighbor to talk so you can hear his English accent? Give them Irish whiskey?

[mark2010]

No, usually you just have to say something dumb like,

"Ive been to England, London, do you live anywhere near there ?"

and you will illict a responce. 

[bouzouki]

How about "I've been a lil' undone, how bout a lift to the loo."

[Valerie]

Uh, yeah.... I've had this happen. The person in the middle of the conversation ended up becoming a good friend and totally understood (the second time I asked) when I told them how far I had actually driven for the particular set they we talking through. The small group did get up and leave.

While we're here....let me give you all fair warning. Please Tell Your Friends

The duo of Bela Fleck and Toumani Diabate will be amazingly soft/quiet at times. I'm pretty sure it will be this set that many of us take the moment to do a Telluride 360*. It's that beautiful. I've already had nightmares of "festival talkers" that would not stop or go away (gosh that was polite Auntie).

Let all please remember this guest musician has traveled from Mali, West Africa, to grace us with the sounds of the 21 String African Harp, The Kora, and this project has not only been in the works for Bela Fleck over the last 4 years,  it is near and dear to his heart.

Thank You in Advance,
Auntie Hope 

... We now return you to your yearly conversation about the P.I.T.A. sitting next to you during your favorite set at TBF.

Bravo, Hope!!  Well said!
I am SOOO looking forward to Bela & Toumani.  I will be front & center for their set.   

[Auntie Hope]

Uh, yeah.... I've had this happen. The person in the middle of the conversation ended up becoming a good friend and totally understood (the second time I asked) when I told them how far I had actually driven for the particular set they we talking through. The small group did get up and leave.

While we're here....let me give you all fair warning. Please Tell Your Friends

The duo of Bela Fleck and Toumani Diabate will be amazingly soft/quiet at times. I'm pretty sure it will be this set that many of us take the moment to do a Telluride 360*. It's that beautiful. I've already had nightmares of "festival talkers" that would not stop or go away (gosh that was polite Auntie).

Let all please remember this guest musician has traveled from Mali, West Africa, to grace us with the sounds of the 21 String African Harp, The Kora, and this project has not only been in the works for Bela Fleck over the last 4 years,  it is near and dear to his heart.

Thank You in Advance,
Auntie Hope 

... We now return you to your yearly conversation about the P.I.T.A. sitting next to you during your favorite set at TBF.

Bravo, Hope!!  Well said!
I am SOOO looking forward to Bela & Toumani.  I will be front & center for their set.   

I'll be right next to you , Sweetie! 

[bouzouki]

I am excited about Bela as well.  I don't consider African music as an odd sound anymore.  the rhythms are different, so you have to pay attention, but it certainly is one of the main roots of American music.  Hope there is room for more down in front.

[landshark]

I am excited about Bela as well.  I don't consider African music as an odd sound anymore.  the rhythms are different, so you have to pay attention, but it certainly is one of the main roots of American music.  Hope there is room for more down in front.

I am front and stage left(faceing stage right) most of fest.....see you all there most definately for Bela...

[Valerie]

Uh, yeah.... I've had this happen. The person in the middle of the conversation ended up becoming a good friend and totally understood (the second time I asked) when I told them how far I had actually driven for the particular set they we talking through. The small group did get up and leave.

While we're here....let me give you all fair warning. Please Tell Your Friends

The duo of Bela Fleck and Toumani Diabate will be amazingly soft/quiet at times. I'm pretty sure it will be this set that many of us take the moment to do a Telluride 360*. It's that beautiful. I've already had nightmares of "festival talkers" that would not stop or go away (gosh that was polite Auntie).

Let all please remember this guest musician has traveled from Mali, West Africa, to grace us with the sounds of the 21 String African Harp, The Kora, and this project has not only been in the works for Bela Fleck over the last 4 years,  it is near and dear to his heart.

Thank You in Advance,
Auntie Hope 

... We now return you to your yearly conversation about the P.I.T.A. sitting next to you during your favorite set at TBF.

Bravo, Hope!!  Well said!
I am SOOO looking forward to Bela & Toumani.  I will be front & center for their set.   

I'll be right next to you , Sweetie! 

It's a date!  I'll buy the beer!   

[bouzouki]

Bela's set!!!!

I watch a short woman ask two tall dudes to sit, which they did.  How did YOU handle relations with your neighbor?

I had to be told once to shut up, which I certainly deserved, and I complied.

[Iriecycle]

I've had good fortune w/ cupping my ears towards the stage, although some friends have been in mid-conversation while I'm doing this, they tend not to talk w/ me anymore, phew.  Friends have infinite capacity for love, and humor.

Peace

[Bevin]

there's always a clapper.....

Dang.  I hate that.