The compulsion to cough

Ever wished homicide on the audience member who leaps to his feet (and it’s usually a ‘he’) shouting “Bravo!!!” even before the sounds of the music have died away?! It can ruin those moments of silence when a final chord can hang in the air, or the precious silence during which you simply want to be alone with your response to the performance.

Coughers can be just as distracting and research indicates that there is an element of compulsion to this peculiar habit amongst audiences – like unwrapping lollies, talking during the performance and humming along.

Click here to read the full article in The Independent