# So, I'm taking the wife to the ballet **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681 "2013-12-19T00:04:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/1 "2013-12-19T00:04:27Z")
The Nutcracker at the Bob Carr Center in Orlando. Do I wear a suit? Do I need to bring things other than myself and my wife? Are seats near the front of the orchestra pit good? What does she wear? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/2 "2013-12-19T00:09:22Z")
Just remember that the “t” is silent. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/3 "2013-12-19T00:17:53Z")
The most important thing is the stand, applaud, and whistle whenever there is a break in the music. Business casual should be fine. If you’re tall like me, be prepared to be squished in an uncomfortable seat for a couple hours. You’ll be thankful if there’s an intermission… > [@Tom Tildrum](#): > > Just remember that the “t” is silent. Nu’cracker? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/4 "2013-12-19T00:20:02Z")
It’s not wrong to wear a suit, but the Nutcracker is usually more casual. Something that might be worn at a white collar office (ties optional) would be fine. Your wife could wear something of that nature, too. The Nutcracker is a family event and attracts a lot of parents and children, and people don’t dress up in suits. For other ballets you might want to dress up a bit (though that also depends on the venue; I’d expect things to be more casual in Orlando that at the New York City Ballet in NY\*). You don’t need to bring anything. If you were near the back, some sort of binocular might be useful (especially in a large theater), but your location wouldn’t require it. \*I’ve only seen it at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in the summer, where you can wear t-shirts and shorts. ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/5 "2013-12-19T00:26:03Z")
You’re gonna go see the bear in the little car, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/6 "2013-12-19T00:29:19Z")
Lost a bet, did you? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/7 "2013-12-19T00:38:44Z")
Not exactly. The antique shop I bought her Christmas present at _sold it again_ before I could pick it up, so I was forced to scramble for a new present. Thanks, guys. I’m probably going to wear a suit anyway because… well, because she’ll make me. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/8 "2013-12-19T03:02:17Z")
An orchestra seat is good for plays and operas. Balcony and box seats are best for ballet. Before it starts, buy a souvenir program and let her read the synopsis, libretto, and the names of the principal dancers. And yes, it’s good to wear a suit. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/9 "2013-12-19T03:31:54Z")
Every time I go to the ballet, I’m a little shocked at how loud toe shoes are. Enjoy yourself and get some extra good husband points. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/10 "2013-12-19T04:39:08Z")
The wooden stage is springy. I watched only one prima ballerina who can do jette’s and land without a sound. Like a ghost on stage. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/11 "2013-12-19T04:50:09Z")
If your wife is wearing a dress with short sleeves, have her bring a shawl. She will most likely check her coat and it may be chilly in the venue. ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/12 "2013-12-19T12:50:13Z")
As ballet’s go, the Nutcracker is not too bad. Hey, it has gunfire. Just wait for it. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/13 "2013-12-19T14:00:37Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The antique shop I bought her Christmas present at _sold it again_ before I could pick it up I hope they gave you your money back! I saw the Nutcracker for the first time in my life a couple of years ago, and my expectations had been pretty low, but it was very entertaining. Whaddayaknow, there’s a reason it’s been popular for over 100 years! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/14 "2013-12-19T14:06:35Z")
They did. I thought they should do more than that but it was one of those antiques mall places where there are a bunch of individual vendors, and the only person there to argue with was the cashier. …gunfire? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/15 "2013-12-19T14:08:33Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > The wooden stage is springy. I watched only one prima ballerina who can do jette’s and land without a sound. Like a ghost on stage. Yeah, I’ve been in theatres that were built for ballet - but if they aren’t and you don’t have a springy stage, and the stage isn’t well miked - Swan Lake becomes Herd of Stampeding Moose Lake. Its still pretty, but it takes me ten minutes to get over the distraction of the unintentional percussion accompaniment. The Ordway here in the Twin Cities is bad for ballet, as is, perhaps not surprisingly, whatever passes for a civic theatre in Duluth, Minnesota. ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/16 "2013-12-19T14:13:03Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > …gunfire? Heck yeah. Gunfire and giant zombie rats. And pretty girls dancing. It’s awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/17 "2013-12-19T14:28:38Z")
Whose wife? ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/18 "2013-12-19T15:35:13Z")
> [@Tully\_Mars](#): > > Heck yeah. Gunfire and giant zombie rats. And pretty girls dancing. It’s awesome. … and sword fights. I forgot about the sword fights. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/19 "2013-12-19T16:05:51Z")
Never mind. Not what I thought. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681/20 "2013-12-19T16:07:55Z")
> [@Tully\_Mars](#): > > … and sword fights. I forgot about the sword fights. This is starting to look like a better and better Christmas present. For me, anyway. I thought she was going to be thrilled when I told her but she seemed more… moderately pleased. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-taking-the-wife-to-the-ballet/676681.md?page=2)