Seat Dreams Are Made Of This
Many years ago, I took my eldest to see my favourite band (my wife was meant to be the one I was going with, but she took ill on the day).
He was reluctant to go, but a promise of some fast food convinced him to come, and he ended up absolutely loving it and has become an even bigger fan than I am!
COVID happened, so it was a few years before the band toured again. In the meantime, our love for this band rubbed off on my youngest, who also came to love them. So, when a new tour was announced, I eagerly bought tickets for the three of us (my wife, not a fan, declined to come along). Not the best of seats due to limited finances, but who cares? We were going to have a great time seeing the best band in the world.
Now my eldest was already taller than me, my youngest, on the other hand, was at the time not so tall. This meant that when the concert started and the people in the row in front decided to stay standing, he could not see past them, only catching glimpses of the stage between their bodies. It was obvious he was gutted, and it was tearing my heart that he was not able to enjoy the show, and I, of course, could not either.
I did ask the group in front if they were going to stay standing, and the answer was a definite yes. They weren’t doing anything wrong, so as much as I was disappointed, I understood that they had paid their money too and wanted to enjoy themselves as was their right.
As a compromise, we decided to try to stand on a concourse that was behind the block of seats we were in, but unfortunately, we were told by a steward that this wouldn’t be allowed.
He did, however, suggest I go speak to guest services a level below. We quickly rushed down, and whilst I made my kids stand just inside a doorway so they could still see the concert, I went to speak to guest services.
The lady was very understanding, but all she could offer was restricted-view seats, albeit closer to the stage (it was a side view looking through some of the staging). I said I would speak to my kids, who immediately said yes, as to be fair, restricted view or not, it was a lot closer than where we had been, and my youngest would be able to see.
I quickly returned to guest services and told the lady that yes, please, we would take those alternative seats she had offered.
Smiling, she gave me three tickets and told me which door to go through. I again quickly grabbed my kids, and we dashed to the correct doors. To our surprise, we weren’t beside the stage, and the steward looking at the tickets we had been given directed us down towards the front. To the VIP section.
This wonderful lady at guest services had taken pity on us and, far from giving us what were the cheapest seats in the venue, had upgraded us to the best. We had a fantastic view of the stage, and the band was so close.
It. Was. Amazing.
I can’t thank that lady enough (and I did email in to give praise the following day). The night went from seemingly being a crushing, heartbreaking disappointment to being the best concert experience I’ve ever had. Even the guy behind me loudly singing my favourite song well out of tune couldn’t (distracting as it was) dent how happy we were that night.
The only downside is that my sons want to get VIP seats next time the band tours! Not sure we’ll ever be able to afford that, mind you, so I am truly, truly grateful for that act of kindness that gave us an experience we could never afford ourselves (just one VIP ticket cost way more than the three tickets I had originally bought).
Yes, it probably made no difference to her which empty seats she gave us, but it seemed the policy was to offer the cheapest alternative, as she originally had so to actually give us the best was beyond generous.
Thank you, kind lady.
