How to behave in a museum
I recently attended an exhibition at the National Library of Australia and noticed the way that others behaved and how it affected my experience, and possibly others’ as well. This article isn’t to belittle or create a set of etiquette rules for museums, but to remind people that there are others who visit museums as well and these are some things that might be worth thinking about when you next visit an exhibition.
1. Whistling
You might be in a fantastic mood and want to whistle or sing to your hearts content, and good for you. It just might be a better idea to save it until you at least get to the gift shop. Exhibitions are designed for a particular experience. Every single element that you see, hear, and feel (and maybe even taste in some) are purposely chosen for the experience the curators want you to have. Even silence is a deliberate decision. Whistling, unless done by a hired performance artist or a recording, is not a part of this experience and risks annoying those around you.
2. Talking
I’m not saying you have to be completely silent until you get to the end. Of course you can talk with your friend about what you’re seeing, but make it minimal and make it hushed. While I was trying to read a placard, a woman next to me was reading out a different placard to her friend, who was perfectly capable of…
