Today, at an important statewide band performance, my mom stayed in her seat, silent, while everyone else gave a standing ovation. FML
jesterinperil tells us more.
OP here. First off, yes this was my performance. We'd been preparing some of the hardest pieces on the selection list for three months and had to perform them in front of the toughest judges in the state. We received a standing ovation and the top score possible, but it really hit hard when I saw my mom sitting there idly. We were all enjoying our results within the band so I tried not to let her negativity bring me down that much, but she could have at least said good job without being asked how we did.
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Top comments
False_Stupidity 42
There would be some irony there if that was the case #33 since being the only one not clapping draws attention to her.
feven 32
If it's your performance than this is an even bigger FML
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Comments (72)
kori_leigh28 7
Yall were so amazing that ya stunned her.
emmusj 14
I feel you. At states last season my mom and step-father left before the performance was over
Xkimvd 16
Wow OP, that must suck. I hope she at least said something afterwards
cjfred 13
Stop being such an attention *****. Maybe your mom simply doesn't give standing ovations; some people don't. Then again, if there are multiple performances and she stands for every one but yours, then you might have a point.
Mira Lux 26
Unless your leg broken. Then you should get up with everyone else and clap. It looks really rude if you just sit their silently while everyone else is clapping(and if you don't want to stand up then that fine too but at least clap for the person).
ma12r 22
Ouch that's gotta be tough OP. I've been there before with choir. It's hard but atleast she came and saw it. My mom wouldn't come to half of my concerts
violetmango 5
Do you know why she did it?
jesterinperil 28
OP here. First off, yes this was my performance. We'd been preparing some of the hardest pieces on the selection list for three months and had to perform them in front of the toughest judges in the state. We received a standing ovation and the top score possible, but it really hit hard when I saw my mom sitting there idly. We were all enjoying our results within the band so I tried not to let her negativity bring me down that much, but she could have at least said good job without being asked how we did.
xluciferx666 21
Comment moderated for rule-breaking.
Does your mom by chance have social anxiety? Cause if so maybe she did not want to draw attention to herself I have found myself in similar situations before
False_Stupidity 42
There would be some irony there if that was the case #33 since being the only one not clapping draws attention to her.
DoomedGemini 38
As someone with social phobia, while clapping and standing up might be terrifying if no one else did, that's not what happened. As the person before me said, it would single you out to be the only person not doing it and that would be the scary part.
MzZombicidal 36
I'm sorry that happened OP but congratulations on achieving something so kickass, nonetheless!! :) It's a little bittersweet but I do hope you continue your awesome musical adventure
Kramer1998 20
If you don't want to draw attention to yourself then do what others are doing
gabyh94 14
What pieces did you perform?
militarybrat 21
Eh, you dont need her approval very shitty of her though.
kewpiesuicide 29
I agree with 33. Even if everyone else was standing up and clapping, she might have felt that doing the same thing would be out of character for her and she would have looked silly doing it. It's like going to a club where everybody else is dancing but you think you are a terrible dancer. You look a lot more strange standing on the wall watching the other dancers than you would if you had just joined in but your mind won't let you believe that or act on it.
Taolan 23
Why is a comment about social anxiety downvoted? Sure it doesn't fit -at all- given the context, but it's still a valid question.
drshn 22
Oh for gods sake, can we stop over analyzing this stuff. her mother did not stand up because she either does not appreciate the magnitude of the achievement or she's just a jealous & narcissistic person. As simple as that.
chriss2015 13
I'm pretty sure OP would've been forgiving if his mother has anxiety. This FML was obviously made because of above reasons.
Kramer1998 20
By not standing you bring attention to yourself, therefore being counterproductive, plus anxiety isn't an excuse for being mean to people
Kramer1998 20
That's a terrible analogy, cause most people at night clubs are too drunk to care
ilovemyhorse17 13
I'm sorry that happened but congrats on your score!
CrystalClearly 8
I am sure she is proud of you. Perhaps this is her personality. Some people are not prone to displays of excitement. She came for the performance which shows she does care about your hard work.
DarkAngelsBlade 25
Actually parents will go to their kids events just to pretend they care. It is highly likely this mother doesn't give two ***** about her band performance and thinks it's a load of horseshit because there are people who think band is useless and worthless. This mother is just a bad mother, just a mother that can't even fake enthusiasm, I mean, unless she's deaf I guess, then that would explain a lot but op didn't say that.
poppyseed420 9
It's better than a mother that doesn't come at all
dDailydDosage 8
I knew this one guy that was deeply involved in band. His mother never came to his performance no matter how much he begged her to. She just always seemed to have better things to do. Unfortunately there are some parents like this. Atleast your mom did make the effort to show up, that has to account for something. As like others have said, she could have a hard time displaying emotion. If it bothered you, I suggest gently bringing it up and she'll probably apologize not knowing that she hurt you.
delaneyseal 15
Yeah, my boyfriend's parents were like this for all his high school band performances.
Levvy 22
A lot of people, even in various public performance fields (like myself), feel the standing ovation is a gesture that's becoming overused to meaninglessness. But then again, when it's your own child...