• February 01, 2012  |  7:08 AM MST

Fashionably Late

A few hours after I post this blog, Punxatawney Phil will emerge from his winter home and reveal whether spring 2012 will arrive right on time or six weeks late. I've enjoyed an unusually mild January, and the first of February promises the same. Nonetheless, I still hope Phil predicts an early end to winter. Spring is the one season that should never arrive fashionably late.

All of which got me to thinking about the etiquette of arriving for an event. Is it ever appropriate to arrive for an event early? And how late can one run without risking offense.

Follow the rules listed below, and you’ll avoid upsetting anyone:

1. For a wedding ceremony, arrive 15 minutes early.
2. For a funeral or memorial service, arrive on time.
3. For a business meeting or work appointment, arrive a little early or just on time.
   
4. If you’re meeting someone for a movie, arrive at least five minutes early. Arrive even earlier, if you anticipate a long wait at the ticket booth.
5. If you’re meeting friends or family at a restaurant, arrive on time. Remember, many restaurants won’t seat a party until everyone is present.
   
6. If you’re going to be more than five minutes late, call the person with whom you will be meeting or dining. If you can’t reach them, call their office or the restaurant.

If you have been invited to dine in someone’s home—especially when dinner is to be preceded by cocktails—you may arrive “fashionably late,” that’s 10 or 15 minutes after the time stated on the invitation. However, do be aware that if children are expected to participate in the meal, their dining schedule may determine when people sit down.

• January 25, 2012  |  6:46 AM MST

Cell Phones & Concertos

Earlier this month, a New York Philharmonic audience member disrupted a performance of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony when his iPhone rang. At first, Conductor Alan Gilbert attempted to ignore the “marimba” ring tone. However, after it persisted, the conductor halted the performance until the ringing ceased.

A few days after the event, the New York Times offered the patron’s side of the story. A serious fan of the Philharmonic, he reported that he had just obtained the iPhone and had turned it off before the performance began. Unfortunately, he had unknowingly set the phone’s alarm. It was that alarm that rang and disturbed the performance.

Before you attend a performance, follow these rules of cell phone etiquette:

When the house lights are dimmed, turn your phone to vibrate. Actually, I’d prefer you turn your cell phone off. However, if you’re expecting an emergency message, make sure you’ll be notified via a vibrating phone instead of a ring. And by the way, make sure the alarm has been turned off.

If your cell phone does make a noise, silence it immediately. Please don’t make performers or an audience suffer through multiple rings.

Don’t text or tweet during the performance. Unless the performance venue offers tweet seats, avoid distracting others by fiddling with your smart phone.

If you receive an emergency message, leave the theater before you respond.