Palladium

[lankeela]

How buttock clenching was Neil Diamond? Even the audience failed to respond to his prompting to 'touching hands' and at times he seemed to forget the words he has been singing for far too many years.

[anneasquith]

I agree ummm, the question had to be asked . Lol.

[Georgiesmum]

You reminded me of when I went to see Howard Keel at Southend, and half way through a song he forgot all the words, poor man.

[gness]

What was Andy joking about? If it's the hands thing it's not a joke... I don't grab the hand of anyone....never know where it's been.....I have to go, just now and again, to a Mind Mass.....darned if I will shake the hand or hug the nun next to me.....
Grasping an unknown hand is worse than when we had to put our number in a grubby machine at the supermarket....thank god for contactless..... :-(

[andy-hughes]

I was joking about the 'being engaged' bit - I thought that would be obvious, but no problem if it's not.

In terms of the 'touchy feely' bit, I was not joking, Brits are reticent about physical contact, look at how we instantly apologise if we even slightly bump into someone.

[Mamyalynne]

Some are reticent, some aren't.

[douglas9401]

Is a quick 'sorry' not just basic good manners after a bump?

I think it is.

[naomi24]

I’m not so sure Brits are Brits are reticent about physical contact. I’ve lost count of the number of times in recent years I’ve been introduced to strangers who then insist on kissing me!!

[kvalidir]

I'm quite a hugger and kisser when introduced which either goes down really well or the people practically shrivel up in horror.

[ummmm]

Gness, do you not shake peoples hands when meeting them?

[andy-hughes]

douglas - // Is a quick 'sorry' not just basic good manners after a bump? //

After a bump certainly, but most do it if we even touch another person.

[ummmm]

I do it. Just walking out of the shop as someone is walking in I say sorry. Either one would let the other go first and we both say thankyou.

[lankeela]

It wasn't the fact that they were reticent about touching hands, it was that they all looked at each other blankly and not many people did it, which was what he seemed to be expecting them to do. Presumably at his concerts they are all ready for it and join in.