DEAR ABBY: As graduation time approaches, I begin to shudder. Graduation ceremonies have become more like rock concerts than a time to acknowledge student achievements. Families, friends and graduates behave horribly, making it impossible to watch or listen to the proceedings. As both a parent and an educator, may I please offer some graduation etiquette advice?
1. Do not yell, blow horns or leap into the air as your special graduate crosses the stage. It's rude, immature, inappropriate and prevents those around you from hearing the names being called and seeing the next graduates. The noisemaking instruments hurt sensitive ears, so leave them at home. Your special person knows you are there and proud of him or her.
2. Honor all of the graduates. Each one deserves the same audience as the first to cross the stage. Do not disrupt by leaving after your grad has had his/her moment. Stay seated until all of them have received recognition.
3. Small children do not belong at graduations. They get bored, cry, run around, etc., and I don't blame them. Hire a sitter and let them stay home.
4. The presenters have worked hard to prepare for the ceremony. Listen to them and behave like the mature, thoughtful adults you expect the graduates to become.
5. Have the wild party after the formal ceremony.
-- FRUSTRATED IN COLUMBUS, GA.
DEAR FRUSTRATED: I agree that there are certain rules of conduct that should be followed on important occasions -- and a graduation ceremony is one of them. I'm printing your very basic rules of behavior in the hope that they will serve as a reminder to those who have forgotten their manners or never learned them in the first place.