# Why am I crying over The Nutcracker? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 18, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468 "2012-12-18T23:44:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/1 "2012-12-18T23:44:23Z")
I have Christmas music loaded in my car right now, and today when I ran errands The Nutcracker was on. And I started to tear up over and over again. Over the stupid Nutcracker. That part where the tree grows bigger and bigger? And that part in the candy flutes when the ballerina is supposed to spin-spin-spin-spin-spin? And Mother Ginger on her great big skirt? _sniff_ ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2012, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/2 "2012-12-18T23:59:24Z")
I have an emotional reaction to certain music even when it’s not inherently sad. For example, the Christmas Canon by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra makes me teary. I have NO IDEA why. It’s not a sad piece. It’s not a very good piece, either. Maybe that’s it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/3 "2012-12-19T00:12:35Z")
In college I worked on a local production of The Nutcracker for money, running a spotlight. So not only did I need to be present for all of every show, I had to pay attention. In a two week period, I’d see it all the way through about 18 times. Do that, and I promise, you’ll hate it like I do. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/4 "2012-12-19T00:23:25Z")
as a guy, when **I** cry over the Nutcracker it’s empathy 😃 ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/5 "2012-12-19T11:19:33Z")
I was having a wee anticipatory mental runthrough of _Les Miserables_ yesterday as I drove to work - just humming the tunes, thinking I would go to see the movie on Boxing Day (I’ll be alone for Christmas, so I can do such things). Next thing I know, I’m tearing up. A vague earworm almost made me cry. Now I am scared to go to see the movie - I’ll need at least a big box of mansized tissues cause I’m going to blub through the whole damn thing. I think I need to turn in my man-card. Si ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/6 "2012-12-19T21:36:52Z")
I cry over all Christmas music. This morning I cried at Stevie Wonder’s “That’s What Christmas Means to Me.” I’ve asked 2 therapists why, and neither had a good answer. I cry over The Nutcracker because it’s so beautiful. I’ve seen the production several times and I think the music makes me remember how much I love the ballet. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2012, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/7 "2012-12-19T23:54:24Z")
[The Pine Forest Pas de Deux](http://youtu.be/xFsh80k2u30?t=40m5s) ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/8 "2012-12-20T04:19:40Z")
I’ve been watching YouTube clips of various productions and I’ve gotta say, the choreography that my hometown ballet company used was just the right choreography. Apparently it isn’t obvious to everyone that that part of the Candy Flutes is supposed to have a ballerina spinning in time with the music. Apparently it isn’t obvious that the Russian dancer needs to already be airborne when the first note of that song is played. And apparently it isn’t obvious that the sugarplum fairy is supposed to be gently shaking her toes as if pixie dust is stuck to her slippers. Isn’t all that obvious? ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/9 "2012-12-20T15:30:01Z")
I found myself crying one morning after watching **The Quiet Man** the night before. The vision of Ireland was just so beautiful, and the real world seemed so mundane. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/10 "2012-12-20T16:24:02Z")
I _often_ respond to good music with tears. In church, especially, but often just listening to the radio. I’m sure Nutcracker could have that affect on me in the right context. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/11 "2012-12-20T17:45:16Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I found myself crying one morning after watching **The Quiet Man** the night before. The vision of Ireland was just so beautiful, and the real world seemed so mundane. _There’ll be no locks or bolts between us Mary Kate, except those in your own mercenary little heart._ _sniff_ ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/12 "2012-12-20T18:54:59Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > _There’ll be no locks or bolts between us Mary Kate, except those in your own mercenary little heart._ > > _sniff_ Best darn scene in the movies: [http://timeentertainment.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/et\_7.jpg](http://timeentertainment.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/et_7.jpg) Back on topic: I find myself getting sentimental at Christmastime, too; I really am the most atrocious softie… ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/13 "2012-12-20T19:58:44Z")
Moved MPSIMS --\> Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/14 "2012-12-20T20:03:23Z")
I saw the Joffrey Ballet and the Cleveland Orchestra perform _Nutcracker_ a few weeks ago, and it was fantastic, but I didn’t tear up. Just this morning, though, I was reading the Wiki article on David Lynch’s 1980 film _The Elephant Man_, which I’d seen in college. I’d forgotten how very, very sad the movie is. I started puddling up just reading the plot description! ---
**Author:** ![romadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@romadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romadea)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/15 "2012-12-20T20:13:05Z")
You’re pregnant. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/16 "2012-12-20T21:10:43Z")
I had an early miscarriage ten days ago, so no. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/17 "2012-12-20T21:48:14Z")
> [@G0sp3l](#): > > as a guy, when **I** cry over the Nutcracker it’s empathy > 😃 _That’s_ what you call “hoping to get lucky”? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/18 "2012-12-20T22:35:10Z")
I tear up at the Nutcracker, too. I was crying like a fool when I saw a live performance, and I get all teary just listening to a CD in the car. Especially the very, very end, the last two minutes. I think the Nutcracker is just wonderful! (I read that in Russia, this work by Tchaikovsky is considered a very minor one and certainly doesn’t get the same reactions, if any.) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/19 "2012-12-21T03:24:55Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > I had an early miscarriage ten days ago, so no. I’m so sorry to hear that. My condolences. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Dord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@The\_Dord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Dord)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2012, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-crying-over-the-nutcracker/644468/20 "2012-12-21T04:46:14Z")
Original [Last Christmas](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI) used to do it for me too.