BZZZZZZZZZ.

Something interesting that I've noticed about going to shows or going to performances here is the way in which they notify the audience that it's time to sit down and shut up.

In the states yeah, the lights will dim or they'll flicker as a warning that you should be heading back to your seats and that in a couple of minutes, the show will start. Then usually, when the show actually starts, the lights will fully fade and a hush will come over the audience as the official signal.

In Japan though, instead of using these visual cues, they use audio cues for this. A giant buzzing noise buzzes and goes BUZZZZZZZZZZZ. Then when the show's about to start again it goes BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ again. Personally, I find it a little disruptive to the atmosphere of it all, especially if it's a more elegant show, but I suppose, to each his own? It's certainly effective in getting people to be quiet.