Do you enjoy the ballet? How about the opera or the symphony?

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Answers

Love symphony music...and I don't care if it's genuine long-hair or the background music in a Smokey Robinson or Donna Summer song. But I am definitely not hoity-toity in either taste or outlook (although I don't suffer fools gladly) because I hate to get dressed up. I'd rather watch naked jello wrassling or a good dwarf toss than opera or ballet. I secretly suspect no one actually likes that shit. They just pretend to because they have pretensions and want to be seen. Like going to church to show off your new outfit. But then, again, maybe it's like scotch...an acquired taste.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

The last time I went to the ballet was when I was in fifth grade, and I remember being bored out of my skull. I went to the symphony three years ago with a friend who had an extra ticket, and after about thirty seconds I realized that I would rather be home watching Law and Order reruns. Last year when I went to Germany, I went with two friends to an old church to hear a choir sing some songs by Mozart, Bach, Brahams, Chopin...or someone else whom I know nothing about and would remain silent if they were a category on Jeopardy!...and I endured the whole thing by mentally selecting more flattering haircuts for the choir. At one point, one of my friends fell asleep, and afterwards we all joked that we just don't have high art genes.

I now have the urge to offer up some proof that I'm not totally lacking in culture, but that's not really the topic, eh?

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Yes, I enjoy all three, however, I wouldn't consider myself hoity or toity. I haven't been to the ballet for years. The last time I went, I took my mother for Mother's Day to see a very traditional production of Swan Lake. Some man behind us snored really loudly throughout the whole thing. It was quite distracting. If only he could have slept quietly. If that happened these days, I would ask an usher to escort the guy out.

The last time I went to the Symphony was a year ago. I really need to get out more.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I love opera, but there had better be the big screens up to enlarge the people and translate the words for me. Otherwise, I get frustrated and snoozy.

Ballet and the symphony are both wonderful, too, but I only go when it's free. If I have to spend money, I'm going to end up at a Rusted Root concert or Ani DiFranco show. I must not be too hoity toity, because the Arlo Guthrie concert was much more moving for me than a night of chamber music.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I'm not just hoity-toity... I'm totally pretentiously, over-the-top- ly deliberately hoity-toity. I mean, think about it... we actually call our new house The Mansion. Fraiser Crane is my hero, man. *I* want to offer guests 80-year-old brandy or a really fabulous port when they come over. I actually have a stash of Pretentious Foods so that, at the last minute, I can present a wedge of really good cheese, or garnish simple ice cream with fancy biscuits. The guest room here at The Mansion is rigged out with import candies, copies of Tatler and Town and Country on the nightstand, a basket of fancy bath products snitched from various Nicer Hotels (not the little bottles of Suave shampoo, oh no... but the Casswell-Massey stuff)... heck, I even picked up a handful of thick paper towels printed with Bergdorf Goodman the last time I was in the restroom there, and display them in the guest bedroom. We had three different wine courses with our seven course French-based gourmet Thanksgiving Dinner last year.

But much of my hoity-toityness is based on disparaging things that are not pretentiously hoity-toity. I think, somehow, that it makes me informed and superior to sneer "OLIVE GARDEN?!?" or "Thomas Kincade?!" or "Actually, I don't watch soap operas." I mean, isn't it REALLY informed of me to sigh "Well, no, I haven't seen ___... I don't care much for Hollywood Blockbuster movies" or "No, furniture from, like, Kraus's Sofa Factory is such poor quality that it isn't worth the money"...? I mean, I don't actually do the whole head-toss thing when I say it... that would be taking things too far... but still....

Okay, seriously... I genuinely love ballet, classical music, good food, art museums, literature. I had a field day living in New York, and going to good restaurants or upscale stores. I don't know as much as I could about this or that composer, or this or that artist; I know nothing about wines and I don't follow "society"... but am I hoity-toity? Yeah, yeah I am, y'all.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

My husband likes classical music. I can't quite get into it, except in really small doses. Ballet's fun only when performed by preschoolers and you can sit with the parents and take bets on whose child will be the first to run off-stage crying.

I think anything that's going to require me to get all dressed up shouldn't last more than 60-90 minutes. That includes weddings too, unless there's a really kickass reception to follow.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I'm a Tractor Pull and Monster Jam kind of girl. Drive-in theatres, outdoor bbqs, pizza straight out of the box in front of the latest Adam Sandler movie, oh yeah baby.

I did go see The Nutcracker once and it made me cry. However, a really good fart joke will also bring a tear to my eye, so I guess that evens it out.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I like theater, opera, museums etc. I like contemporary ballet better than classical. My roommate hates musicals. I think that some people hate the arts because they hate hoity-toity people, but I just ignore that bull and go to enjoy myself and preferably, share the experience with a friend. My quintet plays a lot of classical music, but I only like to listen to certain types. The rest puts me in snore mode. I guess because actually playing it takes a lot of brain work. I wish my roommate would give musicals a chance, because like all of the arts, I believe everyone can find a niche they really enjoy. There is this group call "BLAST" that is really wild and talented, it is a combination of around 20 young percussionists combined with contemporary dance. I really like dressing up, but I never get the chance to be any kind of socialite so I get real jealous of those people. One of the most interesting things I've seen was a performance of Tibetian monk rituals. They were performing to raise awareness of the plight of Tibetian monks. But, the thing was that here they are, doing rituals that are scacred to them which put them in altered states and mesmerize the audience, and at the end of each we all felt uncomfortable clapping. I really like anything 'cause I've blasted my ears plenty listening to rock and roll. Blue grass rocks too.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

In some ways I am hoity toity, and in some ways I'm not.

I appreciate the hard work that goes into classical music and ballet, but I really can't listen to or watch more than about 10 minutes of either one. But I can enjoy fart jokes forever. Farts are comedy gold to me.

But I will spend extra money on good wine and prefer pheasant to chicken. I'm also a snob about cars and the only reason why I drive an American car is because the company is owned by Mercedes and I can't afford a real Mercedes at the moment.

While I don't feel hoity toity, I'm sure many people that live in my area probably think I'm a snob.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I've been accused of being a wealthy snob, most recently here in Gwentown. But I'm neither. My upbringing was steeped in the arts. The appreciation of "culture" has always been a big part of who I am. But damn, some of it just ain't that interesting, and a whole lot of it is utter, wretched, garbage, no matter which or how many so-called experts fawn over it.

In general, I like just about any of the performing arts. And I go to art museums here and when I travel.

I don't enjoy ballet, so I don't go see it performed. But I like the symphony so I make sure to go to those shows from time to time. I can tolerate some opera, but in general I'm not real turned on by it. The last opera I saw was "Idomeneo," last February. It was OK.

My whole family has always been involved in theater, so I still really like that. I go to lots of shows every year, big and small, musical and not.

I'm not "hoity-toity," but I am a firm believer in living a "rich life." I don't believe in looking down one's nose at others when there's a disagreement over taste and class. Why restrict yourself to only the upper-crust life or to only the low brow life, when you could have some of all of it and enjoy a much fuller life than those at either extreme? You're just as likely to see me sitting next to you at a symphony concert as you are to see me standing and screaming next to you at the next monster truck rally, because I like them both.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I guess I'm semi hoity-toity. Umm, I with you on the car thing Nicole, as you know what I was looking for. Remind me to send a you a picture of me draped over the hood.

I will not compromise when it comes to toliet paper. We occasionally will spend money for an expensive meal.

However, I could dress a lot nicer than I do. I don't spend money to get my hair done or nails done. I think farts are hilarious and I have a potty mouth.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Oh and to answer the original question. Ballet, opera and the symphony bore me to tears. Plays? Don't see the appeal. Blech. I hate reading fiction even though I love to read. Give me a good true crime book any day. Haven't read or seen the classics and have no desire to. BUT, if someone is into that stuff, that's cool.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I love opera. I can't stand ballet. I like the symphony but in small doses... it really depends on what's being played. I can listen to Bach forever, but I'm lukewarm on many other composers. Experimental music and theatre bores me to tears, I'm sorry to say. One of my most embarrassing moments came at a cello recital which was showcasing new- age/experimental type compositions, and I was so fed up that I mistakenly thought the intermission was the end of the concert.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Not very hoity-toity here. I mean, I go to ballets, and I own opera and classical CDs. I ENJOY PBS arts programming. I read books with big words in them. ;) But if I had to choose between these things and mainstream pop culture, I'd give up the pretentious stuff in a heartbeat because it isn't as much FUN. Working for a living is serious. Dealing with household issues is serious. Even relationships can be serious (though hopefully not all the time). Since life and its attendant responsibilities are NOT fun, I wouldn't want to restrict myself to high-brown entertainment, because, to be frank, there is a reason why wealthy people go there more often than ordinary folks like you and me. It involves planning, and maybe even special shoes. (Who was it that said you should beware any enterprise that involves purchasing new or special clothing? Mark Twain?) There's little instant gratification involved when you go to the ballet, and if you're not wealthy enough to sit within hailing frequency of the performers, you see little blurry cotton balls blowing around aimlessly waaaaaay down there on what is probably the stage (if only you were closer so you could be absolutely sure!) or a box full of crickets (well, that's what an entire string section sawing away looks like to ME when I'm up in the peasant row). Don't get me wrong--I get a measure of deep satisfaction when I go to a mseum to look at fine art, and I do like going to "hoity-toity" events. But I want my Beatles and tee shirts with glittery transfers of glam stars on them and books with breezy slang and Ogden Nash and Tom Lehrer and Pizzicato 5 and T-Rex. If I ever have to choose between that and the "better things in life, and if that means Wagner has to go hang, well, so be it.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

My best friend is a semi-professional ballet dancer,and we've been friends for 15 years, so I've seen lots and lots of ballet. I've grown to love it, but I probably wouldn't appreciate it as much if I didn't know how much work goes into it and how hard it is to actually do half the stuff (and not just the flashy things). I love the symphony too, and opera. But lord, do I hate modern dance.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Definitely, ballet is hard work. Look at how the dancers are all muscle and sinew. And I agree with Gardanna and Susan, "modern" dance and experimental music and theater stink. They always strike me as false, and are often defended by hiding behind the "who can say what is art?" sham.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

"Avoid all enterprises which require new clothing." -Henry David Thoreau

But Mark Twain said a lot of good stuff too: "First, God created idiots. That was for practice. Then he created school boards." His lectures on the virtues and art of masturbation are wa-a-aaay over the top.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Hey, Bubba, how 'bout a couple of wrestlers tossing naked dwarves into jello? Now THAT'S entertainment!

Ummmmm, let's see, in the past three days my kid and I have gone horseback riding, ridden the 4x4's around the farm, collected chicken eggs, checked out the day-old calf and stepped in dog shit. So, no. No, I don't think either of us qualifies as hoity or even a little bit toity. I think we could use a little hoity in this house, come to think of it.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Yeah, Deb...I could go for that. A nice log cabin tavern in the north woods, a good fire in the fireplace, Drambuie on the rocks to chase the chill, and naked dwark jello tossing. I like it.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I asked because the other day we went to the ballet (Firebird Suite) and I loved it. A few days after that I was offered opera tickets but was unable to go, and it upset me very much. Several peers asked me why I was so upset, because they themselves "hate" opera. But they like ballet or the symphony. So I sort of wanted to talk about how so many people draw the line at opera, but I thought I'd first ask if any of y'all liked the "fine" performing arts at all.

You can tell I'm hoity-toity, by the way, because I only go to these things when I get free tickets, and then afterwards I stand around in the lobby and say "That fucking RULED! That ballet kicked ASS!"

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I'm from a working class, New Jersey background, which I blame for my complete inability to comprehend or appreciate opera or ballet or the symphony ... although by my age, you would think I'd be over that by now. When I was a teenager I started listening to the local NPR / Jazz station, because I wanted to learn about jazz. (We listened to Andy Williams and Herb Alpert at home -- oy!) Anyway, like scotch, it was a taste I acquired enthusiastically with time. And, hoity-toity wise, I like to think that I can be just as big a snob about Coltrane or Bird as some of my well-educated friends can be about Wagner -- after all, who decides what "the classics" or "classical" means? We do, damm it. Oooh, sorry for the potty mouth. But I also am intrigued by Gwen et alia's attitude of "take back the classics." Maybe I'll go to the symphony and wear my Chuck Taylor's. (Because as much as I'd like to, I'm not brave enough to hang out in the lobby and say, 'That kicked ASS, baby!')

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

I live with a symphony musician, but she's a percussionist, so they walk the line, so to speak. I'm not hoity-toity but I hear a lot of classical music and it's really fun.

I don't know much about opera, but I got to be backstage at Tosca and it rocks! People fighting, blood, torture, affairs, a ruthless villain, firing squads and women jumping off castles! It was really fun.

There's an awful lot of very cool, fast loud, exciting music under the big umbrella of "classical"...If you don't consider yourself a fan, try to go to a concert when you can sit really close. If it's a good piece, it makes your hair fly back! I like dance but not ballet.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

And then, Bubba, we throw the dwarves outside, where the bears will be drawn by the smell of the warm jello stuck in their ears.

I have always wanted to go to the opera, and am waiting for someone to give me free tickets. The Calgary Philharmonic does a show in the mountains every year ('Mozart on the Mountain') that I think would be the perfect way to see a symphony. I have aspirations of hoity-ness, but my prairie girl influences are too strong.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

Ee-ew. Then we could wach throught the window, Deb. Now THAT'S entertainment.

Years ago I bought a record called (I think) "Arthur Feidler and the Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra do the BEATLES" or some such. Wow. Great record. Did you know someone actually stole it during a party once? We have another record called "Hooked on Swing" which is a symphony ochestra performing big band music (a la' In the Mood, etc.) and our little nieces have about wore it out dancing to it. What's more thrilling than listening to Wagner's "The Ride of the Valkyries."

My wife and I went to the Crockett Playhouse to see and hear the original Glen Miller Orchestra and because we're the press, they gave us a seat right in front center. BLEW US AWAY! If you like free tickets, go to work for a newspaper or magazine and do the entertainment gigs...free passes? Complimentary drinks? Best seats in the house? No problem.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

I'm feeling ashamed. I admit I'm a touch hoity-toity. In fact I just bought a DVD with the San Francisco Philharmonic. They played some really kickass music. They played with METALLICA no less. I was in awe. James

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

You can tell I'm hoity-toity, by the way, because I only go to these things when I get free tickets, and then afterwards I stand around in the lobby and say "That fucking RULED! That ballet kicked ASS!"

You mean that's not what you're supposed to say?!

Uh oh.I've been socially unacceptable. ;) ;)

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

Art, dahling, I love art. Not too fond of the symphony, nor the theater, but I love going to art openings. Whenever I travel, first on my list is the museum..then the bookstores...

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001

I live in a really posh area, and it cracks me up how some people try so very hard to BE posh. It's not something you can attain; the harder you try to be hoity-toity, the more common you actually are. This is why everyone here snickers at Posh Spice: she's about as Posh as cheese on toast.

I don't think that going for quality in purchases makes one hoity- toity, though. It's when people go for an expensive name just for the sake of the expensive name that they are trying too hard to be something they're not. This is why I can't stand seeing Burberry check everywhere: people only wear it so people will notice that they can afford Burberry, but as it -- and its knock-offs -- are worn by 99% of Londoners at the moment, it's lost any caché it may have carried. Kind of like those CK t-shirts that Calvin Klein is suing Warnaco for licencing too loosely, devaluing the brand.

Back at the point...I don't like ballet and I don't like opera, but it does take a lot to hold my attention, so I'm not surprised.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

I'm not a big fan of the ballet and I've never seen the opera live. I like the symphony, but only when it's something with which I'm already familiar. Like I saw Henry Mancini, which was great.

But I am hoity toity - because one of the first questions I ask new people is whether or not they've seen Bring It On. And if the answer's no? Well, it was nice meeting you, but I couldn't possibly...

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

Joanne, whenever anyone at work asks me to bring something to a meeting, I say, "OH, I'LL BRING IT!" in honor of the crazed cheerleaders in Bring It On.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

I'm not really hoity-toity, but I have been accused of being artsy-fartsy on occasion...does that count?

-- Anonymous, March 08, 2001

No, it doesn't. Quit your bragging, Jonny.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Being British, and having an accent to boot, I get a lot of comments, and people generally cast you off as a snob, but squallor does not make the man. I like the ballet, classical music, and opera, but that doesn't mean I don't like all kinds of other things, and its hardly a lifestyle choice. I'm only 21, and I do all the things you'd expect, but I like a lot of stuff you wouldn't. Hoity-toity is just a negative term for having standards, and liking things that a lot of people are to narrow minded or proud to admit they like. I wear jeans and trainers to the ballet (i'm a student, why not?), so I wouldn't say I was hoity toity - it's only entertainment. PS: I've never left a message here before, and I didn't really think this one through, so don't be nasty to me if thiis doesn't make sense.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

I'm with Robyn. I love opera because I find vocals very emotional but I don't feel hoity-toity about it since I also need the big screen subtitles.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

I agree, the big-screen subtitles rock. I've never had the opportunity to go to a live opera, so I've only seen them this way, and of course my enjoyment of the music is enhanced by knowing exactly what's being said. Now that I'm moving to a city with an opera house, I want to see one as soon as I can.

Speaking of cities... I had a stopover in Houston a couple of weeks ago and couldn't help but think about all the things Gwen has written here about it. I also have to say that it was hot! :) I came from -40 Celsius weather and the heat was a big shock to my system. :)

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

It's a shock to me when I travel and fly back to Houston. The air seems thick and the humidity grabs you by the throat. I can see where it would be a REAL shock to a visitor.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Oh, it was. :) The humidity was so thick. I'm glad I thought ahead and dressed in layers, otherwise there would have been a little bit of Canada in a puddle on the airport floor.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

I've been trying to reacclimate (is that a word?) myself to the humidity. I've only turned on my AC once so far, and I'm proud.

When I was at Niagra Falls in October, the cold totally freaked me out. I was wearing a suede jacket and it totally wasn't enough. And yet I hardly ever have to wear that jacket here.

Um... back on topic. Someone asked me why I liked opera. I said that it's probably because I sing. The same thrill I get from singing, I can get from listening to the performers sing such high, clear, thrilling notes.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

I love opera! I didn't like it when I was a music student, though. Having it available on video made it possible for me to learn to appreciate it: you can do small doses and turn it off when you've had enough, and subtitles make it easy to follow along.

I enjoy the music, and the emotional power of it all. It can be great to wallow in tragic death (traviata, la boheme) or enjoy a farce- finale (like Marriage of Figaro).

For some reason, I'm not as fond of Ballet.

Anita of Anita's BOD and Anita's LOL

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2001

ooooo ballot is so gross!!! i get sik looking at those guuyz with those big humps eeeeeeewwwwwwww! why cant they cover up?

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2001