People Enter Late Arrive Theater Seats Event Arriving

In the United States, "punctuality" (one's ability to arrive to places on time as expected) is very important in most situations. "Arriving late" (coming later than expected) is generally considered to be "rude" (impolite) and disrespectful of others. There are some "exceptions" (instances when a rule does not apply), but it is usually best to arrive at the time stated on an invitation or announcement.

When arriving late to an event or an artistic performance, certain "etiquette" (expected behavior) should be followed. For a concert or play, it is important to wait outside the main theater area and enter only during "applause" (when people are clapping) and/or "intermission" (the break between scenes or small performances, when people move around and can drink, eat, or smoke). Often an "usher" (a person whose job is to help people find their seats) will "guard" (watch over) the door and not let "latecomers" (people who arrive late) enter the theater until intermission. Sometimes there is a "viewing area" where latecomers can watch the performance "live" (in real time) on television until they are allowed to enter the theater.

If latecomers are allowed to enter during applause, they should do so very quietly, without "calling attention to themselves" (doing things that make other people look). This means entering very quietly, without "disturbing" (bothering; interrupting) other people. If their seats are in the middle of a row "(a group of seats placed next to each other), they may want to stand in the back of the theater until there is a break on stage, because moving to those seats would require making other people stand up and would "block the view" (make it so someone cannot see) of the people behind.