Sitting Down versus Standing Up

[Eja117]

very good first post.  TP

I literally had someone ask me to sit down so he could watch the 1/2 time show during game one of the Atlanta series.  (no - the cheerleaders were not involved)

You were standing during half time?

[Pawtucket Pat]

I am kind of on the fence about this.  I personally believe there are times when standing up is appropriate.  But then there are those people who stand up for basically the entire game, when they are the only person standing in the section (except those directly behind them, who are forced to stand up to see).

During the 4th quarter of the game, yes, stand up.  When the C's make a great play, stand up, when it is coming out of a timeout of a 5 point game with 4 minutes to go in the 1st quarter...you can make noise just as well sitting down.

they're called "seats" for a reason. 

Actually, Roy, I think they're also called 'Stands' as well, as in "You look up into the stands tonight and see everyone cheering and can feel the electricity." The responses in this thread have really disappointed me. I feel like the fans in this town have gone soft. I hear stories about the way the old Garden used to rock, and it will clearly never be like that again. Too many people at games are like the people responding in this thread, very prickly and self-righteous about their 'rights' at games. Like I said, Rasheed Wallace hit the nail on the head about our fans. It's just entertainment to you all. Thank god for that stupid noisemeter they use to get the crowd fired up and Big Baby Davis's goofy jumbotron message, or no one would ever know when to cheer and stand up.

[Redz]

TP for your passion Pat!

[Roy Hobbs]

I am kind of on the fence about this.  I personally believe there are times when standing up is appropriate.  But then there are those people who stand up for basically the entire game, when they are the only person standing in the section (except those directly behind them, who are forced to stand up to see).

During the 4th quarter of the game, yes, stand up.  When the C's make a great play, stand up, when it is coming out of a timeout of a 5 point game with 4 minutes to go in the 1st quarter...you can make noise just as well sitting down.

they're called "seats" for a reason. 

Actually, Roy, I think they're also called 'Stands' as well, as in "You look up into the stands tonight and see everyone cheering and can feel the electricity."

stands, n., a raised section of seats for spectators.

Nothing about standing.

The responses in this thread have really disappointed me. I feel like the fans in this town have gone soft. I hear stories about the way the old Garden used to rock, and it will clearly never be like that again. Too many people at games are like the people responding in this thread, very prickly and self-righteous about their 'rights' at games. Like I said, Rasheed Wallace hit the nail on the head about our fans. It's just entertainment to you all. Thank god for that stupid noisemeter they use to get the crowd fired up and Big Baby Davis's goofy jumbotron message, or no one would ever know when to cheer and stand up.

Again, there's nothing wrong with being considerate to those around you.  I don't go to a lot of pro basketball games, but when I go to Fenway or Citizen's Park in Philly (which is near where I live) I get standing room tickets.  I prefer walking around the park, standing, and cheering.  If I pay for a seat, though, I remember that those behind me payed for theirs, as well.  They have a right to watch the game as much as anybody else does.

[Pawtucket Pat]

I am kind of on the fence about this.  I personally believe there are times when standing up is appropriate.  But then there are those people who stand up for basically the entire game, when they are the only person standing in the section (except those directly behind them, who are forced to stand up to see).

During the 4th quarter of the game, yes, stand up.  When the C's make a great play, stand up, when it is coming out of a timeout of a 5 point game with 4 minutes to go in the 1st quarter...you can make noise just as well sitting down.

they're called "seats" for a reason. 

Actually, Roy, I think they're also called 'Stands' as well, as in "You look up into the stands tonight and see everyone cheering and can feel the electricity."

stands, n., a raised section of seats for spectators.

Nothing about standing.

The responses in this thread have really disappointed me. I feel like the fans in this town have gone soft. I hear stories about the way the old Garden used to rock, and it will clearly never be like that again. Too many people at games are like the people responding in this thread, very prickly and self-righteous about their 'rights' at games. Like I said, Rasheed Wallace hit the nail on the head about our fans. It's just entertainment to you all. Thank god for that stupid noisemeter they use to get the crowd fired up and Big Baby Davis's goofy jumbotron message, or no one would ever know when to cheer and stand up.

Again, there's nothing wrong with being considerate to those around you.  I don't go to a lot of pro basketball games, but when I go to Fenway or Citizen's Park in Philly (which is near where I live) I get standing room tickets.  I prefer walking around the park, standing, and cheering.  If I pay for a seat, though, I remember that those behind me payed for theirs, as well.  They have a right to watch the game as much as anybody else does.

I just feel like basketball is a much different sport than baseball. Baseball is a very slow game that is very conducive to sitting and having conversations, and just overall relaxing and enjoying a nice sunny day, with moments of extreme tension and/or excitement along the way. Basketball is different though. The arenas are closed and so the sound carries better and can have a tangible effect on players, and the pace of the game is so much more frenzied that it really lends itself to high energy in the stands. That's why they have so many silly promotions, to keep the crowd amped up and paying attention, so that they can be ready to give it their all when the action resumes, and to keep the energy up since that's what the sport relies on (at least, I think that was the intended reason...it's sort of backfired). During a baseball game, there's not a huge difference in the energy from the actual game and between innings. The only time the energy is ramped up is when there is a homerun or double play or big strikeout, or something along those lines.

Just to give an example from the other night, when Rodney Stuckey was shooting free throws, and the crowd was going crazy to try and distract him, when he missed, that was an amazing moment where you, as a fan, could really feel like you played a tangible role in the outcome of the game. That moment is about as close as I will ever get to blocking someone's shot in the NBA, and that felt great. You don't get moments like that in any other sport, and as Celtics fans in the arena, we have a responsibility to leave everything we have in that arena, just like the players do. You can't get on players for not giving 100% when you as a fan don't give it yourself. Too many people play the "my hard-earned money" card and get self-righteous about it. We love this team. We owe it to them to give it everything we've got.

[orrzor]

A few points.

-If you want someone to sit down, say please, be polite. Don't yell or act all annoyed.

-In the playoffs, I think you should stand as much as you want unless the person behind you has a medical condition where they too can't stand. I really think everyone standing sends the team a message of support, and can get into the opposition's head. Remember when the GSW fans stood the entire 2nd half in the Dallas series? Also KG, Pierce, others have said they really feed off the homecrowd. Cheering, standing IS the homecourt advantage.

-I hate how it's ok to stand when the jumbotron says, but if I see Ray Allen make a shot or the team plays good defense, I stand and cheer, and then get chastised by the guy behind me.

I want to be considerate, but I think the playoffs are an entirely different matter.

[guava_wrench]

Sorry, not to be the wet blanket here, but the bottom line should be: Celebrate and cheer in the way you see fit, but within the confines of being considerate of those around you.

Does consideration mean giving in to unreasonable expectations? Everyone has their own idea of what is considerate behavior at a game. Should we all be quiet throughout the game because of a few fans who don't like the noise?

People who don't like the environment of sporting events should either stay home and watch on TV, or get suite seats, which are great for fans that take themselves too seriously.

I have been to concerts too where people complained about people in front of them standing and dancing. People should enjoy the game and stop worrying about what other people are doing. The are way to many fans in the Garden that lack passion. The players like it when we stand up and yell.

[huzy]

This thread pretty much opitimizes my section to a "T"...

I'm a 1/2 season ticket holder, so I've been to six playoff games so far.

In game 7 of the Cleveland series, some lady was yelling at the guys in front of us (also 1/2 season tix holders) to sit down. at that point they ever so nicely told her "shut up, it's game 7 of the playoffs!"
At the time I agreed with them and stood up myself to help them out, without saying anyhting to the angry woman. Pretty much everyone else in the section proceeded to stand at this point which was hilarious.
The look on her face represented the biggest slice of "humble pie" I've seen in awhile.

But since then, the same group of guys have been yelled at on three different occassions by fans behind them to sit down. And to add to that, they spent most of Game 5 yelling at everyone "stand up! It's the [dang] playoffs!!"

We know...I've been here for all the games you have. I wouldn't be paying for 30 games in the upper deck if I didn't care.

I stand more than most but there are definately those who feel they have to stand and yell 98% of the game because it's the playoffs. And for the most part they've been guys my age, meaning they have no idea what the Old Garden was like "when it was rockin'."

Bottom Line, you don't have to stand the whole game to be a real fan. Celtics fans are smart enough to react appropriately in the right situations. I've been to almost 50 games that last two seasons...I know.

If you're standing alone, you're probably being a jerk.

From one "real" fan to another, SIT DOWN AND RESPECT THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU! 

[Redz]

If you're standing alone, you're probably being a jerk.

Words to live by!

[cdif911]

Sorry, not to be the wet blanket here, but the bottom line should be: Celebrate and cheer in the way you see fit, but within the confines of being considerate of those around you.

I never really understood the phrase wet blanket, always seemd a little naughty to me....

As for sitting vs. standing, I agree with the idea of mob rule - essentially if I can't see b/c the guy in front of me is standing, I'll stand, unless he's singly standing, then I'll eat peanuts and drop the shells on his seat until he hopefully at some point sits

[jimmyt]

America is too lazy to stand. I'm willing to bet that there would be people too lazy to stand during the National Anthem if it wasnt required...
 
I'd stand all game if I didnt have old timers yelling in my ear to sit down.

Obviously I don't stand all game but I'll stand up after a great play then sit back down... I'll stand up during the introduction, I'll stand up towards the end of the game if its really close and I want to be loud. Obviously I wouldnt stand up alone but thats usually not the case anyways. I rarely just see one or two people standing. Its the playoffs, it should be intense all game. The fact that it is the playoffs is enough of a reason to stand. Bandwagon fans and casual fans who only come around when the team is winning might not understand the term "passion".
Sometimes, you just have to get up.

[galen]

I don't understand why it is ok to stand at the end of the game but not the beginning?  Every point counts the same, whether it's the first quarter or last.  Getting the team fired up in the first quarter is important.  I don't know about the everyone else, but personaly, I am going to be more subdued  if i'm sitting.  It's going to limit my excitement a bit, and in turn my ability to cheer.  I think this is true for most people.  They actually had to remove the terraces in English football stadiums and replace them with seats becasue the fans would become to crazy.

Everyone here I think agrees that a rocking arena helps to motivate the team to play their hardest.  I know as a college athlete, I would always play at a higher level if their was a bigger, louder crowd.

Anyway, my point is, that in the playoffs, every minute of every game is important.  Therefore, if you really want to help drive the team on, you should be as loud as possible.  Meaning, I should be able to stand all game.  Granted, there is no need to stand and be crazy all during halftime, and probably not needed for long timeouts, but other wise, it should be allowed.  I'm paying for my ticket too ya know?

[hpantazo]

I think during certain situations and certain games, it's appropriate, if not required, to stand. If you don't want to stand you should watch the game at home. Heck, I even stand up during the whole game while I watch it at home.

[slamtheking]

A couple of thoughts that I haven't seen mentioned:
For those who say get a particular seat in the front or back to either sit or stand: not that easy.  I get to a few games every year and have never had the chance to get the first or last row in a section.  I take what I can get when I can afford the tickets.

As for those who want to stand all game (or the majority of the game or whenever they feel like it and it's not in response to a great play or tight game situation) and feel that those behind them should just stand too if they want to see the game: again, not that simple.  As someone who's 5'5", I'm frequently behind someone over 6' tall that I cannot see over when we're both standing (or sitting for that matter).  I've been fortunate enough not to be stuck behind someone that stands all game but it's really frustrating during those times when the person in front of me does stand because I'm blocked from whatever great play just happened or is about to happen.  I've never had to ask someone to sit nor would I when the situation justifies some fan excitement/reaction but I would definitely have issue with someone who doesn't know when to pick their spots for getting enthusiastic.  

As a rule, show consideration for those around you.  Excitement and team spirit is great, but remember you aren't the only person who paid to see the game.   As for the person who says they offered to switch seats with those behind them, that's the only time I've ever heard anyone make that offer so kudos to you if that's actually a true story.  

[Chris]

America is too lazy to stand. I'm willing to bet that there would be people too lazy to stand during the National Anthem if it wasnt required...
 

Ummm, it isn't required.  It is just disrespectful not to stand, but you aren't going to be thrown out if you sit through it.

As far as standing I have thought about it a bit more, and I think there is one thing to clarify that really annoys me.  I don't mind all that much if someone is standing up and cheering.  My problem is when someone is just standing all game like a statue.  Most of the people who I have seen be asked to sit down have been the ones who stand up to cheer, and then continue standing long after the cheering and clapping ends, so they are just standing there watching the game.  If you aren't cheering and going crazy, there is no need to stand (unless its one of those times late in the game when everyone is standing).