In the past few months, I have been privileged to work with the Leadership Team as well as the volunteer ushers at the San Francisco Opera. I am always intrigued when presented with challenges well outside the hotel world, and thoroughly delighted when I can not only bring my particular brand of hospitality and expertise in the spirit of service, but also have the opportunity to learn and grow in the process. For me, that is the ultimate “psychic salary.”
I consider the Opera to be one of the last bastions of grandeur in the ever-changing landscape of San Francisco. From the iconic opera house itself to the extravaganza of an operatic production, it all feels outside of one’s day-to-day experience. That point of view added another layer of amusement when I began to connect the dots regarding life lessons I learned there.
While all organizations and businesses have ways of operating and reasons for enforcing their policies, from billing to returns to hours of operation, some are based on logic, while others are clearly annoying to the consumer. The SF Opera’s guidelines are simple, straightforward and for the pleasure of everyone involved. They make sense, especially when the good of the many must outweigh the good of the individual. Quite a tough balancing act, in this time of personalized attention and “Me Me Me” pervasiveness.
Here are some of San Francisco Opera’s guidelines:
No Late Seating
This of course may feel annoying if you are the one coming in late, have an expensive ticket and can’t get seated. The life lesson, however, is If you are early, you are on time and if you are on time, you are late.
No texting or photography during a performance
Sometimes the photography involves legal issues with performers, but it is always about the comfort and consideration of people around you. Today, when we are so concerned with blogging and sharing every moment, this may take some self-discipline. But given the type of discipline you are observing from an opera performer, it’s a small price to pay.
No food in the theatre and no drinks other than water
While many venues have relaxed around these rules, any disturbance such as opening a candy wrapper or spilling a glass of champagne would disrupt someone else’s ability to enjoy the performance. While all concerts and venues are communal, the Opera is a particularly rarified communal experience and deserves considerate behavior. I for one am thrilled to see such a hold out for respectful manners.
While this next life lesson is not a mandate from the Opera, it is one that felt unmistakable to me.
Have something to look forward to
I applied this strategy when going to a performance to do my job “research.” I was truly excited about it; I got dressed up and felt festive.
When my father-in-law was in his late 80’s, he used to always use the expression, “Something to look forward to.” As I was preparing to go to my first Opera performance in 20 years, I kept hearing his voice saying those words in his strong Viennese accent. The verity of them rang true.
If I look at all of these lessons, another life lesson stands out as the overarching principle of all of them—PLAN AHEAD. If you do, you will arrive with plenty of time to park and eat, be courteous and feel good. All that will be left is the last life lesson from the Opera—ENJOY IT. It’s a time to sit back, relax, listen, watch and take in the lavish, majestic, grand spectacle on stage. In other words, just love the moment and enjoy the experience.
And isn’t that the key to a life well lived—pay attention, be open, appreciate and, for heavens sake, ENJOY IT, for like a mesmerizing show, it will be over before we know it!
These guidelines probably apply to all elegant performance venues worldwide. I like your line “if you are on time, you are late”. Thank you for reminding your readers about opera house etiquette.