When Taylor Swift recently announced the international dates for her long-awaited Eras Tour, I was jumping with joy in my room.
I couldn’t wait for my Mum to get home to break the news to her. Considering that I’ve been a fan for almost my entire life, I was confident she would let me go. Never in my wildest dreams have I felt this excited about an artiste.
However, there was one stumbling block. With Singapore being the only stop in Southeast Asia where Tay-Tay would be performing, Swifties all over Asia would be fighting for tickets for the six nights. It would be a Great War even trying to make it to the queue, not to mention the ticket’s ridiculously high price tag. But I was desperate to make it work.
I faced one obstacle: Mum.
She said no. While I was devastated, I also understood her reasoning. They were not unexpected: my age, the crowd, and the price.
Many others probably face the same initial obstacle when getting permission to attend concerts. While I did not manage to convince Mum, I have compiled some tips that may work for you:
1) Do your research
While asking your parents for permission, you don’t want to give them ANY opportunity to doubt you. Make sure you have all the information they would want. Everything from the dates and ticket prices to the tiniest of details, such as background information on each security guard at the concert. Okay, maybe not all the guards; just the head guard will do. Your parents prioritise your safety above everything else, they need to feel secure and sure.
2) Do not go in unprepared
The worst thing you can do is to approach them and ask if you can go without having all the information at your fingertips. This will lead to the obvious question, “How can we let you go when you don’t even know where it’s being held?” This will prove that you are not mature enough to attend a concert. This is no longer Pinkfong Baby Shark territory. Level up, folks.
3) Be responsible
You need to prove that you are responsible enough to attend a concert. Take every opportunity you can, as much as you might hate it. Your chores, taking care of your siblings, etc. It is crucial for them to know that you are trying. A bit of bribery might also work if you’re smart! While you’re at it, why not pamper them? Or guilt-trip them. While it might not always work, hit them with that “Do you remember when I did that/I helped you with …” Who knows what magic guilt can work. Or you could even promise to do the dishes for a month if they let you go.
4) Call in the cavalry
Use aunties, uncles, and grandparents if you have to. All hands on deck! The concert is in Singapore and you’re in Kuala Lumpur. So, how’s this going to happen? Plan your trip. It can look something like this checklist:
School – no school because of school holidays
Travel to Singapore – flight sponsored by Grandma
Accommodation in Singapore – Auntie Lin’s apartment
Concert ticket – cost half borne by Grandpa and half by my 2020-2023 ang pow money
Chaperone – friends Alison and Thamitira are also going, plus Thami’s Mum
5) Prepare a PowerPoint presentation
It’s time to use those PowerPoint skills. A good old presentation always hits the spot. Make sure to make it funny, include Taylor Swift puns to lighten the mood, and add lots of memes and gifs to keep things entertaining. Include the plan (see point No. 4).
6) Entertainment
Now that the boring parts are over, let’s move on to the important bits – bringing out the laughter and fun. Remember that laughter is always key to winning over hearts.
Remember those dance lessons your parents signed you up for? Well, it’s time to pull out some of those moves and add a bit of Taylor’s kick to it. Trust me, your parents’ jaws will be on the floor as you prance and take the stage in your living room. Nothing screams “I’m crazy about Taylor Swift” more than whipping out some of your Taylor-inspired moves with ‘Shake It Off’ playing. Bonus points if you convince them to join in!
Setting the venue is as important as the content. Transform your living room into a mini-sized Taylor Swift concert. Set the lighting, add glitter and streamers and put on your best Taylor costume. Make your show so entertaining that your parents can feel your dedication and can’t help but feel like THEY also need to attend her concert.
Don’t forget to bring out a secret weapon to shatter your parents’ resistance. It can be anyone – your best friend that your parents adore, or even your grandparents. It would be especially entertaining if your grandparents are also Swifties, make them dance with you!
Lastly, make sure they remember by bothering them whenever you get the opportunity, like “It would be such a cruel summer if I can’t attend this concert,” or “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined Taylor Swift coming to Singapore.” This way, they’re bound to remember this and might even give in to your pestering.
Good luck and have fun winning over your parents!
Note by the writer: This article is purely for entertainment and has not been parent-approved.
To give the younger generation an avenue to express themselves, Twentytwo13 has a dedicated space called Young Voices. If you are a young writer (aged 17 and below) and would like to have your article published on our news website, send your contribution to editor@twentytwo13.my.
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The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
