Loud kid at Wall-E matinee

[Scurvy]

I haven't read the whole thread, but it would not bother me in the least if a child was talking and being "disturbing" during a matinee. Just like it would not bother me in chuck e cheese (if my son ever managed to drag me into one ) or any other kid friendly event or venue. It is normal and expected.
Quite frankly, I think that the person who said something is a little whacked.

If you want a quiet, "everyone sitting still" experience, go to the later showing. matinees are for children.

Anyone who goes to a showing for children and is upset by the noise is clearly being unreasonable! However, as been discussed in this thread, matinee showings are not specifically intended for children. Certainly they are more "child friendly" than later showings. Many theaters do offer screenings that are intended for children - the free summer movie series, "Mommy and Me" showings . . . in a situation like that, loud children are to be expected. At showings that are not intended for louder audiences, the expectation is that patrons will be able to hear the film, not the other patrons.

 

[BostonRob]

Anyone who goes to a showing for children and is upset by the noise is clearly being unreasonable! However, as been discussed in this thread, matinee showings are not specifically intended for children. Certainly they are more "child friendly" than later showings. Many theaters do offer screenings that are intended for children - the free summer movie series, "Mommy and Me" showings . . . in a situation like that, loud children are to be expected. At showings that are not intended for louder audiences, the expectation is that patrons will be able to hear the film, not the other patrons.

One more thing that bothers me about responses that I've seen. A lot of people are justifying their responses by how much money they paid for the movie. Something about this just sounds a bit wrong to me. If we agree that loud children are innaproriate for any movie theater, regardless of movie rating or time, then that should be the final answer. It doesn't matter how much you paid. I'm not sure we should ever be justifying our expectations for an event based on how much we paid. Something about it just seems wrong to me. I know I haven't articulated it well; I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just sounds wrong to me.

 

[Froggyswife]

I personally would not have a problem with a child asking questions during a movie. Especially if it was a disney cartoon that early in the day. Now if the child was screaming and crying YES I would ask that the child be taken out. But seriously I would think it was cute the way the child would ask questions. A little 2/3 year olds voices are so sweet as long as they aren't screaming. I personally think that expecting a child to act like a grownup in a movie theater is sad. As long as they sit in their seat and aren't screaming and crying you won't hear me complain about a kid being inquisitive.

 

[hipchickie]

I think of a matinee as child swim time.
Adult swim time is every other showing of the day, but a matinee is the one time the kids can get in the pool and enjoy.

Every kid should be able to go see a first run movie in a theatre, eat some popcorn and have the whole "movie" experience. I am all for adults having kid-free places they can go to (when v&A went adults only, I agreed wholeheartedly) but I think in this case, the adults should take a step back and let the matinee showing go to the loudmouthed sticky little creatures.

After a quick scan of a few posts, running the aisles is never acceptable. But a little chatter is to be accepted.
I do feel bad for my neice and nephew, who have never been to a movie theatre because their parents are afraid of them disturbing anyone.

 

[I_Know_You2!]

Every kid should be able to go see a first run movie in a theatre, eat some popcorn and have the whole "movie" experience. I am all for adults having kid-free places they can go to (when v&A went adults only, I agreed wholeheartedly) but I think in this case, the adults should take a step back and let the matinee showing go to the loudmouthed sticky little creatures.

I think it is great that kids can have that experience, also. But not toddlers who cannot take basic instructions to be quiet. If they are capable of common courtesy, then they have earned the privilege of attending a film with the big guys!

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Anyone who goes to a showing for children and is upset by the noise is clearly being unreasonable! However, as been discussed in this thread, matinee showings are not specifically intended for children. Certainly they are more "child friendly" than later showings. Many theaters do offer screenings that are intended for children - the free summer movie series, "Mommy and Me" showings . . . in a situation like that, loud children are to be expected. At showings that are not intended for louder audiences, the expectation is that patrons will be able to hear the film, not the other patrons.

Child friendly showings are a great option so are the mommy and me showings. The problem I see with these is that they are often in during the week and the mommy and me movies are often movies for the moms not the kids. Someone mentioned seeing Mamma Mia as a mommy and me movie listing. While kids might find it silly I do not think it would be thier first choice of a movie to go to.

Where I disagree with you is that a movie that has been out for a long time and is marketed towards children (No Mama Mia or Tropic Thunder here) and is showing in the early to middle of the day I see as a good option for those that the other options are not a good fit for.

 

[Scurvy]

One more thing that bothers me about responses that I've seen. A lot of people are justifying their responses by how much money they paid for the movie. Something about this just sounds a bit wrong to me. If we agree that loud children are innaproriate for any movie theater, regardless of movie rating or time, then that should be the final answer. It doesn't matter how much you paid. I'm not sure we should ever be justifying our expectations for an event based on how much we paid. Something about it just seems wrong to me. I know I haven't articulated it well; I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just sounds wrong to me.

Actually, I agree with you somewhat. Ideally we could have the same expectations for every showing of a film, regardless of time. I don't think children should be closeted away until they can behave perfectly and so even the best behaved children will likely misbehave a little bit at the movies at first. They don't have the impulse control that adults do and are more likely to start to talk occasionally. Given that, I think it's better to take children to earlier showings because thats when other patrons will expect children to be there. If people want to avoid the distractions that children might cause they can go to later showings where it's less likely there will be children - though these days there's always someone talking at the theater, even if no children are there! However, that in no way means I don't expect the children to be quiet. I think their parents need to be ready to correct the behavior if the children start talking, no matter what time the show is.

I personally think the shows intended for talkative people aren't a great idea. I think it would have made it much more difficult to teach my son that talking is suddenly not allowed at the theater than it was to teach him that theaters are always supposed to be quiet. However, given that there are some parents who think that kids should be allowed to be as disruptive as they want at the theater just because they're kids I'm glad there are showings that are more appropriate for them just so they are less likely to be in the showings I attend! And this isn't about anyone in this thread; I actually know someone who feels that way. She lets her child run up and down the aisles. I don't go to movies with her!

Whether I pay $5 or $10, I expect to be able to hear the film. That's what I'm paying for! It does bother me that some people think I should have to pay extra for the privilege of actually hearing the movie. I think whatever the time of day, hearing the film should be a given!

 

[hipchickie]

For the record, I have had to deal with more rude, loud, and inconsiderate adults that I have wanted to get kicked out at night time showings

I have never been to a matinee where there was a child bad enough that I would have even considered talking to a manager about

 

[Froggyswife]

For the record, I have had to deal with more rude, loud, and inconsiderate adults that I have wanted to get kicked out at night time showings

I have never been to a matinee where there was a child bad enough that I would have even considered talking to a manager about

You got that right hipchickie. I'll take an inquisitive child over a drunk adult with an attitude problem anyday!

 

[Scurvy]

I personally would not have a problem with a child asking questions during a movie. Especially if it was a disney cartoon that early in the day. Now if the child was screaming and crying YES I would ask that the child be taken out. But seriously I would think it was cute the way the child would ask questions. A little 2/3 year olds voices are so sweet as long as they aren't screaming. I personally think that expecting a child to act like a grownup in a movie theater is sad. As long as they sit in their seat and aren't screaming and crying you won't hear me complain about a kid being inquisitive.

I think it's normal for children to ask questions at the movies. However, it's just as easy for parents to teach the child to whisper in their ear so that the other patrons don't have to hear them, and that's far more polite to the other patrons. That's what we did with my son and it worked out well. He knew if he had something to ask that couldn't wait till after the movie he could tap one of us on the arm and we'd lean down so he could whisper in our ear. I love hearing my sons voice and I'm sure other parents love to hear their children, but I don't think the other patrons at the theater should be hearing anyones voices that aren't part of the movie.

I don't think anyone is expecting all children to act like little adults, but children are capable of being considerate to the other people in the theater.

 

[sha_lyn]

I think it is great that kids can have that experience, also. But not toddlers who cannot take basic instructions to be quiet. If they are capable of common courtesy, then they have earned the privilege of attending a film with the big guys!

ITA

There is IMHO a big difference between appropriate behavior in a movie and what the OP described. If you child is not old enough to whisper, or understand simple instructions then they shouldn't be in the theater.
People can use the "but how will they learn if they can't go" excuse, but unless they are developmentally ready to "learn" all the exposure in the world won't matter. In fact, I believe repeat exposure before being ready would have the opposite effect. They would already be used to acting inappropriately.

 

[sha_lyn]

I think it's normal for children to ask questions at the movies. However, it's just as easy for parents to teach the child to whisper in their ear so that the other patrons don't have to hear them, and that's far more polite to the other patrons. That's what we did with my son and it worked out well. He knew if he had something to ask that couldn't wait till after the movie he could tap one of us on the arm and we'd lean down so he could whisper in our ear. I love hearing my sons voice and I'm sure other parents love to hear their children, but I don't think the other patrons at the theater should be hearing anyones voices that aren't part of the movie.

I don't think anyone is expecting all children to act like little adults, but children are capable of being considerate to the other people in the theater.

That is the best sentence in the entire discussion IMHO
It wraps up nicely what many of us have been saying.

 

[Froggyswife]

ITA

There is IMHO a big difference between appropriate behavior in a movie and what the OP described. If you child is not old enough to whisper, or understand simple instructions then they shouldn't be in the theater.
People can use the "but how will they learn if they can't go" excuse, but unless they are developmentally ready to "learn" all the exposure in the world won't matter. In fact, I believe repeat exposure before being ready would have the opposite effect. They would already be used to acting inappropriately.

I disagree that it is an "excuse" and I disagree that learning by doing and exposure to the situation will lead to bad behavior in the future. But this is my own opionion that worked with my 5 girls. It may not work with every child. Some may learn better watching videos at home with instruction. I think it depends upon the child all of them learn differently. I personally don't mind a child asking questions during a movie.

 

[sha_lyn]

I disagree that it is an "excuse" and I disagree that learning by doing and exposure to the situation will lead to bad behavior in the future. But this is my own opionion that worked with my 5 girls. It may not work with every child. Some may learn better watching videos at home with instruction. I think it depends upon the child all of them learn differently. I personally don't mind a child asking questions during a movie.

I never said that learning by doing leads to bad behavior.
If the child is too young to understand the instruction to whisper, there isn't any learning gong on.
If the child does understand the instruction to whisper, and there isn't any consequence in failing to do so, then they are learning anything either, except that there are no consequences for inappropriate behavior.

IMHO leaving the theater is probably the best way for her to learn that she should have whispered or been quiet when told to do so.

 

[Froggyswife]

I never said that learning by doing leads to bad behavior.
If the child is too young to understand the instruction to whisper, there isn't any learning gong on.
If the child does understand the instruction to whisper, and there isn't any consequence in failing to do so, then they are learning anything either, except that there are no consequences for inappropriate behavior.

IMHO leaving the theater is probably the best way for her to learn that she should have whispered or been quiet when told to do so.

I misunderstood your earlier post I appologise. ITA children must have consequences when they disobey their parents.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Sorry, Rob, you're "that parent" in the movies to me. If you can't keep your kid quiet during a movie you should wait and try again in a few months. Nobody wants to hear your kid do anything but laugh if the movie is funny.

The place to have a small child ask questions and talk through a movie is at home in your den with a video and family members who love that child and willl humor her, not in a theater where children who can behave have paid to see a movie and are expecting to hear the soundtrack only.

Sorry, but you asked...

 

[NYPDwife]

One more thing that bothers me about responses that I've seen. A lot of people are justifying their responses by how much money they paid for the movie. Something about this just sounds a bit wrong to me. If we agree that loud children are innaproriate for any movie theater, regardless of movie rating or time, then that should be the final answer. It doesn't matter how much you paid. I'm not sure we should ever be justifying our expectations for an event based on how much we paid. Something about it just seems wrong to me. I know I haven't articulated it well; I can't quite put my finger on it, but it just sounds wrong to me.

I don't know about anyone else, but I think $$ has a lot to do with it. If I'm shelling out my hard earned money, I expect something in return. Hopefully, that return doesn't include a talkative child in what should be a quiet movie theater.

 

[TwinsinCA]

I do feel bad for my neice and nephew, who have never been to a movie theatre because their parents are afraid of them disturbing anyone.

I think your niece and nephew are LUCKY to have such great, considerate people as parents. That will serve them well in life.

 

[Sandy V.]

Sorry, Rob, you're "that parent" in the movies to me. If you can't keep your kid quiet during a movie you should wait and try again in a few months. Nobody wants to hear your kid do anything but laugh if the movie is funny.

The place to have a small child ask questions and talk through a movie is at home in your den with a video and family members who love that child and willl humor her, not in a theater where children who can behave have paid to see a movie and are expecting to hear the soundtrack only.

Sorry, but you asked...

It's not only about the money, but it is PARTLY about the money. I have expectations of having a relatively quiet movie experience when once the lights dim and I've plunked down $8-$10 for a show, no matter what time of day it is.

For the record, I've had more "bad" movie experiences with teenagers and adults than with small children. I'll always cut kids some slack; adults not so much!!!

 

[TwinsinCA]

One more thing that bothers me about responses that I've seen. A lot of people are justifying their responses by how much money they paid for the movie. Something about this just sounds a bit wrong to me. If we agree that loud children are innaproriate for any movie theater, regardless of movie rating or time, then that should be the final answer. It doesn't matter how much you paid.

I don't understand your point.

Many of us are saying that the less costly matinee does not justify a less optimal experience. Movies are generally NOT free. So no matter what time of day you go, money IS involved. When people are not getting their money's worth, they are understandably upset.