It was rather shocking when he stop playing as most musicians would perhaps choose to ignore and continue (while hoping that it would end) but it was indeed a magical moment when the piece modulates to minor and the change in atmosphere was completely ruined by the ring tone. How annoying, and tiresome, and disrespectful.
I wonder why it's so hard for people to sit still and be silence these days. About a month ago I posted my vexation on Facebook after organising a concert for my students. It has become a common thing to find in children's concert: parents checking up their phone all the time, only stopping when their kids are performing on stage to take videos, then packing their bags and their kids the minute they're done and off they go, leaving an almost empty hall at the end of the concert. Some people even go in and out of the hall as if it were their living room, not caring if what they do disrupt people. It constantly confuses me why they come at all to concerts. If their main priority is to be in touch with their cyber world at all time while listening to music, they might stay at home and turn on their CD players. It saves them the energy to go out and the money for concert tickets and most certainly it saves other people from being disturbed.
I also find it strange how people seem so hard to listen nowadays. Many times I find that they eagerly and quickly respond to what I say even though I'm not finished talking yet. There are people who text back while I was texting them, resulting in overlapping questions and answers. It's not unusual to see younger people interrupt you with something totally irrelevant in the middle of your speech and to make you continue, expecting you to not be bothered with their stupid remarks. Why are people so uncomfortable with silence?
In the world full of noise, I find silence becoming more and more precious each day. And I find myself more and more appreciative of people who listen well and feel at ease in moments where nothing needs to be said. Because sometimes, silence is the best reply, the most honorable thing you can do to pay respect to others.
