Grrrrr!!! Movie Theatre VENT!!!!!

[bicker]

Just as the movie starts, an old couple comes in and sits...DIRECTLY BEHIND US! THE THEATRE IS FRRIGGIN EMPTY (except for the other 8 of us)!!

Again, I just don't understand why anyone would walk into a theatre that has two people in the entire theatre, (or a very small number of people), and CHOOSE to sit DIRECTLY in front of those people.

Yes, I agree, but that's what really caught my eye in the OP's message. These people didn't do that. They seemed to be very considerate, on the surface, because they sat BEHIND the OP. It sounded to me that the OP choose to sit in the best seats in the theater, and so these folks, wishing to have as close to the best experience as possible, given the remaining seats, had a choice to sit in front of the OP (which could indeed have been considered rude) or behind the OP (which could only have been considered polite, if anything). That's what I found strange about this whole story.

 

[Crankyshank]

Some people like to sit at a certain spot and if it's open they will sit there. The fact that someone is sitting in front of them or behind them is inconsequential.
I have no issue with someone sitting in front or behind me. I do have issue with talking during a movie, kicking the seat, having a cell phone conversation, or just being obnoxious.

 

[charabby]

Ok I have had it! I live in a relatively quiet area in NC. It's the kind of area where you can go to the local theatre (which is brand new) on opening night of a much anticpated film like Harry Potter or Star Wars and easily get tickets half an hour before show time and the theatre will be about 3/4 full.

So Dh and I go to a MONDAY afternoon matinee of HArry Potter yesterday. It was 1:30pm. When we got into the theatre there were 6 other people in the place (3 couples) spread out. We chose seats towards the back, leaving several rows between us an the nearest couple. Just as the movie starts, an old couple comes in and sits...DIRECTLY BEHIND US! THE THEATRE IS FRRIGGIN EMPTY (except for the other 8 of us)!! Immediately my blood pressure starts to rise. They then proceed to start kicking the back of my seat. DH ask if I want to move. Heck no. I'm comfortable. I was there first. THEN I smell it...the old lady had MARINATED herself in perfume and had chosen that exact moment to lean forward and ask me "HAs the movie just started?"

I whipped around and said "YEs, and since you have chosen to sit right behind me in this obviously empty theatre, I will thank you in advance to quit kicking my chair."

Her husband kicked my chair instead. And cleared his throat loudly during the film. I could've moved....but to heck with him.

Unfortunately this happens EVERY TIME we go to this theatre. DH and I are off every Monday and usually go to Monday matinees. It never fails that we end up in an empty theatre and someone sits directly behind or in front of us or right next to us! The theatre is empty...GO AWAY!

I understand your frustration, but why didn't you just move if you were upset. I wouldn't ruin a movie for myself just out of principle.

 

[Jennasis]

I can laugh over things and be annoyed by them as well. In fact, as soon as the couple sat down I started laughing, because it has happened SO many times...everytime! DH couldn't believe it was happening again. Just because we laugh over it doensn't mean we aren't annoyed by it. They say laughter is the best medicine.

I too hope as I get older, that I don't develop any annoying or obnoxious habits that may drive others to distraction. I have not (to date) been admonished in a theatre by another patron so I guess I'm doing good. I try to be cognizant of those around me. I put my cell phone on vibrate, I don't talk, I don't bring in outside food or drink, I don't kick the chair in front of me, and I throw my trash away. I always leave plenty of room bewteen me and the other patrons unless the theatre is packed.

The only mistake I made this time out was not moving. This was certainly my fault and something I could have done to improve the situation. In all the other instances (we've been to this theatre probably 7 times and it's happened about 5 times) we have moved our seats.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Again, I just don't understand why anyone would walk into a theatre that has two people in the entire theatre, (or a very small number of people), and CHOOSE to sit DIRECTLY in front of those people. Yes, they have every right to sit wherever they want to sit. But IMHO it is extremely rude and very inconsiderate. I get the feeling that they are doing it BECAUSE they know it is their right to sit wherever they want to sit, and they really don't care if they're blocking the view or being annoying.

Or maybe... just maybe this happens to be their favorite spot to sit in that theatre and it just happens to be in front of you. Why assume the worst about people?

 

[Jennasis]

Actually our seats weren't the "best in the house". We sat close to the top of the stadium style theatre, we usually choose the middle or close to the front rail (where you can put your feet up), but there was a couple in both of those rows so we moved up a bit higher, figuring we could avoid all the usual nonsense. Then we sat sort of off to the side row, not in the middle of the row (no particular reason). The best seats were already taken by the 3 couples that had come before us, so we plopped down up higher.

There are 2 issues here. 1) people sitting directly behind/in front of/next to you in an empty theatre or mostly empty theatre. I find it a little creepy and odd thruthfully. 2) Kicking the chair/talking/ etc....

It was odd enough that they sat behind us, but kicking the chair after being asked to stop was rude. YES we should have moved, but we didn't so tough toenails on me. I am now venting on the world....that's what we do here right?

 

[AllyandJack]

When I went to see Harry Potter 3, some kid was kicking my chair. I asked him to stop. He thought this was funny and got his friend/sibling to do it, too. I looked to the mother and told her to please ask her kids to stop kicking my chair. She told me, "Mind your own business." I had two choices....I could beat the crap out of her, or I could leave. I left. Life is too short to sit there for 3 hours and be miserable.

I hate movie theaters.

 

[Jennasis]

Perhaps I should ask, raise your hand if you would go into a theatre that had 3 or 4 couples in it and sit directly in front of, behind, or directly next to any of the other couples or strangers in the theatre?

Don't lie now....

 

[Crankyshank]

Perhaps I should ask, raise your hand if you would go into a theatre that had 3 or 4 couples in it and sit directly in front of, behind, or directly next to any of the other couples or strangers in the theatre?

Don't lie now....

If my prefered seat was open and next to those couples then absolutely.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Perhaps I should ask, raise your hand if you would go into a theatre that had 3 or 4 couples in it and sit directly in front of, behind, or directly next to any of the other couples or strangers in the theatre?

Don't lie now....

No I would not, but I also would have moved. So that only proves one thing, we all think different.

 

[almacdonald]

honestly, who's quirky enough (or so inflexible) to have a "preferred seat" in a movie theater with hundreds of seats. Grow up people, movie is the same weather you sit in a certain seat or 3 rows up or 2 rows back or 6 seats sideways! geez!

AND i liken people coming into a movie late, then sitting right beside the only other people in the theater, to the folks to use the stall/urinal right next to the only person in a public washroom when there's a whole row to choose from. It's not common sense, it's public decency! Give people they're personal space!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine, too! Not too long ago, my daughter and I went to the movies and it looked like we were going to be the only ones in the theatre. Well, about three minutes before the movie starts two older women walked in and sat RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!!!!! We were the only four people in the entire theatre. I just don't get it!!

I made some remark about not being able to see and WE moved over.

Why couldn't you see? Were they wearing old lady hats with feathers?

 

[luvflorida]

Or maybe... just maybe this happens to be their favorite spot to sit in that theatre and it just happens to be in front of you. Why assume the worst about people?

I wonder how many people really have one particular seat in an entire theatre that they absolutely must sit in? Would the view be significantly altered by sitting one or two seats over, up, or down from a certain seat?

Also, if I was really attached to a certain seat, then I would be sure to get to the theatre extra early to increase my chances of getting that seat.

Sometimes movie theatres just creep me out.

 

[luvflorida]

Why couldn't you see? Were they wearing old lady hats with feathers?

Now that would really have been rude and I would have been looking around to see if I was on Candid Camera or something!!

The theatre was not one of the newer ones with stadium seating, and I'm 5', and my daughter is barely 4'10", so it doesn't take much to obstruct our view.

 

[Crankyshank]

I have a seat I prefer to sit in. I do show up early to make sure I get it. I have long legs and don't like to be cramped in so I like the row behind one of the handicapped spaces. I'm also pretty sure the people in front of me don't like the feeling of my knee pressed against the back of their seat because of my long legs.

If a handicapped person comes in I will move. If it's not available, then no big deal. It's for my comfort not for my viewing pleasure and it is well within my rights to do so. and thank you but I don't need to grow up and I'm certainly not inflexible. We don't have stadium seating at the local theater.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Perhaps I should ask, raise your hand if you would go into a theatre that had 3 or 4 couples in it and sit directly in front of, behind, or directly next to any of the other couples or strangers in the theatre?

Don't lie now....

Been there, done that. We go to the same multiplex fairly consistently and I have certain locations where I like to sit. Fortunately, this multiplex has all stadium seating, so it's not a big deal to sit in front of or behind someone.

And I usually arrive early to snag my preferred seat.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

honestly, who's quirky enough (or so inflexible) to have a "preferred seat" in a movie theater with hundreds of seats.

I like to sit on the left hand side, 2nd row from the back (the seats in the back don't rock correctly), on the aisle - so I can get in and out to go to the restroom.

It makes me happy to be there.

 

[darrose]

If the seat is open and looks like a good location to me I will take it. When I want privacy I stay home and do the rentals.

 

[bubie2.5]

Why couldn't you see? Were they wearing old lady hats with feathers?

Wow, why the sarcasm? Maybe she's not very tall, just like me. Nevermind, I just read her reply (and she's the same high as me).

Back to the OP, I would have moved if it bothered me so much. But usually I don't have a problem with people sitting behind me... the only problem I have when they sit in front of me, because I'm short, and since It’s not their fault... I either move or try to make the best out of it.

 

[Jennasis]

FAscinatingly touchy subject on both sides it would seem. Well in the future you can be sure that I will move my seat, as I usually do.

On the flip side. What do you do about the talkers/seat kickers? What about when the theatre is crowded? Do you keep quiet and hope the stop? Do you say something?

A while back the theatre was packed...and of course some brilliant person brought a laser pointer. What do you do then? Watching a red dot on Mel Gibson't croth for 2 hour's loses it's "funny" after a while.