Movie Theatre Etiquette

[Shaun Hastings]

Today I went to see Inception the second time because my folks hadn't seen it yet, and there was nothing else to do on a regular Tuesday night. So we get there a little bit early but not early enough to grab a decent seat.

Anyways, so my dad went to get something to drink which meant mum and I had to go find a place to sit. You'd figure on a Tuesday night, Inception would be empty because most would have seen it. Well, it was packed, except for the seats in the very very front (we all hate those, don't we?). So I stood there looking out for three seats when I noticed there was an empty seat, two people, and then two other empty seats.

This is where it gets complicated.

So, this older, er, larger guy is sitting there with a younger girl between these open seats. I remember when I was with a friend that we moved over because the theatre was packed and these two girls managed to fit in; it wasn't a big deal at all. But when I very kindly asked this guy if he could move, he wouldn't budge. He claimed the seat beside him was too "squeaky". I kind of looked at him for a moment and asked if they could move the other way, keep in mind I was asking as nice as I could, and he said no once again. He said those seats were squeaky as well. So my mum walks over, pushes them down and they didn't make a sound.

I asked him once more (third time's the charm, right?) and with one of the most rude tones I have ever heard, he said, "No, I'm not going to move for you."

I was pissed and ready to say something but my mum grabbed my arm and jerked me away so we left, got in a long line to pay the refund and went shopping instead.

So fellow Escapists, do you think this man was reasonable or do you think he was rather rude to not move?

 

[Anarchemitis]

He was rather rude.

 

[Tharwen]

Yep, he's a dick. There's no need to have a seat buffer-zone around you, especially if other people want it.

 

[Kuchinawa212]

Yeah it was rather rude of him, I mean you should sit in a group, but at the same time, I've dealt with pricks like that. They pick a really inconvenient spot, then get all offended. I'm glad you didn't hit him or anything

 

[Shaun Hastings]

Yeah it was rather rude of him, I mean you should sit in a group, but at the same time, I've dealt with pricks like that. They pick a really inconvenient spot, then get all offended. I'm glad you didn't hit him or anything

Oh holy crap no. I think hitting him would have been way over the top. I was ready to give him a verbal slap though.

 

[Axolotl]

Why did him not moving force you to leave?

 

[sean877]

People like that give me headaches. Is it so difficult to move one foot over to the next seat?

 

[Kuchinawa212]

Yeah it was rather rude of him, I mean you should sit in a group, but at the same time, I've dealt with pricks like that. They pick a really inconvenient spot, then get all offended. I'm glad you didn't hit him or anything

Oh holy crap no. I think hitting him would have been way over the top. I was ready to give him a verbal slap though.

You were the bigger man. But yeah, he was rude. Not in the wrong, he can sit were ever he wants, but if you wanted to shoot him a dirty look I'd understand

 

[Shaun Hastings]

Why did him not moving force you to leave?

Because there was no other seats left apart from the ones are the very, very front. The kind where you have to look up at an angle the whole film. My mom did not want to sit there.

 

[Citrus]

The thing is, he was there first, and he was already comfortable. It would have been courteous of him to move over for you, but he certainly wasn't obligated to. It was a bit rude, but you're blowing it a bit out of proportion.

 

[twcblaze]

Why did him not moving force you to leave?

generally when you go to the theater in a group, it's to experience the movie with whatever group you came with, it's not uncommon to take an "all together or not at all" approach to seating arrangements

on topic: yeah, that guy was a jerk.

 

[Axolotl]

Why did him not moving force you to leave?

Because there was no other seats left apart from the ones are the very, very front. The kind where you have to look up at an angle the whole film. My mom did not want to sit there.

So why did you want to force him to sit there?

 

[Necator15]

You handlged it well enough, he was rather rude.

If you wanted to be just as big of a dick, you could have called him a fatass, then when he got up to yell at you, you could have stolen his seat, problem solved.

 

[Shaun Hastings]

Why did him not moving force you to leave?

Because there was no other seats left apart from the ones are the very, very front. The kind where you have to look up at an angle the whole film. My mom did not want to sit there.

So why did you want to force him to sit there?

Oh no, he wouldn't have sat there. He would have just moved over slightly to the right.

 

[Canid117]

Karma demands that a couple of dudes with large afros and excellent posture sit in front of him the next time he goes to a movie. And when he ask them to move they should say "Sorry but all the other seats are too squeaky."

 

[Axolotl]

Why did him not moving force you to leave?

Because there was no other seats left apart from the ones are the very, very front. The kind where you have to look up at an angle the whole film. My mom did not want to sit there.

So why did you want to force him to sit there?

Oh no, he wouldn't have sat there. He would have just moved over slightly to the right.

So there was a free seat to his right. Why not just sit there yourself?

 

[Kenko]

That guy's a cockfag. I'd just go to the row infront of him and stand up till the movie rolls then i'd stand in the way and should he complain i'd just use the same douchebagginess back on him till he gets the fucking picture. If he wants to be tough guy and punch me out. Fine, be my guest I'd love to see him explain that to the cops (Big guy sucker punches Short guy).

 

[Shaun Hastings]

Why did him not moving force you to leave?

Because there was no other seats left apart from the ones are the very, very front. The kind where you have to look up at an angle the whole film. My mom did not want to sit there.

So why did you want to force him to sit there?

Oh no, he wouldn't have sat there. He would have just moved over slightly to the right.

So there was a free seat to his right. Why not just sit there yourself?

Because I was hoping to sit with my family. Is that too much to ask?

 

[Not-here-anymore]

If you wanted to be just as big of a dick, you could have called him a fatass, then when he got up to yell at you, you could have stolen his seat, problem solved.

This is clearly the way to deal with the problem.

I've never had much by way of cinema etiquette problems. Usually because I end up seeing films so late into their run that the screening room is empty. When some friends and I saw Batman Begins, we were the only people in the room. We ditched out booked seats and spent the commercials working out which the best seats in the room were, moving from row to row to find the best angle. It was fun!

Also, 1500th post! Woo! Still a long way to that shiny Neo badge...