I have the dubious pleasure of attending #2’s HS graduation this evening. Due to recent and forecast rain, it will be held inside the gym/fieldhouse, with closed circuit to the auditorium.
The first thing I’m anticipating is walking into the gym well ahead of the start time, to see a sea of available seats - with one or two people seated at either end, and a handful of jackets and programs scattered about - saving the seats for people to stroll in at the last moment. I know we’ve discussed this before, but I’m up for another round. How many seats is it appropriate for how many people to save in what manner and under what circumstances?
Personally, I have no objection to a grandparent or infant arriving at the last moment, perhaps accompanied by someone to keep them company. But it totally burns my biscuits to see entire families stroll in at the last moment to assume their ostensibly RESERVED seats.
If you think there is anything inappropriate about seat saving, under what circumstances would you say or do what? I always like to think I’d just plop my fat ass down, but I’m such a confrontation-averse weenie, I ususally just have thoughts involving dismemberment, and shuffle over to stew in a stuffy corner somewhere.
What time would you arrive for a 6 pm scheduled start? 3 of us will be attending - me, the missus, and eldest daughter. I figure we’ll leave our house around 5, walk there (10-15 minutes) to avoid traffic/parking, getting there around 5:15-5:30. I anticipate there will be few seats left at that time.
Would you opt for sitting on bleachers in the gym to see it live, or in padded seats in the auditorium to see it on video? I’m very ambivalent. Hell, I’d probably opt for blowing it off and just showing up outside at the last moment, and telling my kid I was there.)
What is your opinion as to speakers at a graduation? How many and for how long? IIRC, they allow EACH member of the board of ed to speak, and they blat on for 5 or so minutes apiece. Makes you wonder if the really think ANYONE is there to hear what they have to say.
Final question - what do you think about such things as decorated mortarboards, beachballs, clapping/cheering for individual grads, and other matters of “decorum”?