Title "People cough more during classical concerts" implies that people are more likely to cough during classical concerts than non-classical concerts. Article implies that people cough more in classical concerts than at home.<p>There are numerous biological, physical and neurological factors that can affect cough rate, and implication "it's voluntary" seems to be rather ridi... far-fetched.<p>Paper link BTW: <a href="https://ideas.repec.org/p/cue/wpaper/awp-05-2012.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://ideas.repec.org/p/cue/wpaper/awp-05-2012.html</a>
I've noticed I do this at classical concerts vs listening at home, and I haven't been sure if it's because it's really true or I'm just more conscious of the noise I'm making in public. I also kind of wondered if people were stifling coughs until between pieces.
More old people attend classical concerts. Old people cough more.<p>It's easier to hear people cough during a classical concert.<p>Whether other people are coughing affects whether a person will cough at that moment. That does not mean people cough intentionally.
What's this obsession with people coughing during concerts? Concerts are a social event. As such, they involve people and the physical processes that people are involved with. If you fall apart because someone coughed in your concert, stay home.