Obnoxious people at the movie theater

[Jaimee]

I took DS to the movies on Saturday night. We saw Cheaper By the Dozen, PG movie. We were at the 7pm show, the theater wasn't very crowded, there were probably around 10-15 kids there with their families, and some adult couples. About 5 minutes into the start of the movie 2 teenage girls and 2 teen guys (around 14-15 yrs old)come in and sit right behind DS and I. There were lots of empty rows, but the chose to sit behind us, no big deal...We'll girl #1 immediatley gets a call on her cell phone and talks for about 5 minutes. Then she relays the ENTIRE conversation to the other 3 (not in a whisper of course). Then girl #2 keeps a running commentary about every thing in the movie, as if we're not all watching the same thing. Every other word out of her mouth is F***. I didn't say anything at first, hoping DS wasn't paying attention, but he asked why she was talking so loud. So I turned around and asked her to watch her language, because there's a 6 year old sitting in front of her. Of course that started a whole new conversation with her 3 friends. Then the girls get up and leave after the cell phone rings again. They come back a few minutes later reeking of smoke (I smoke sometimes too, so for it to bother me it had to be strong....) then they start playing with their lighters behind the seat. So I get up with DS in the middle of the movie and go talk to one of the security people outside. The guy comes in and looks around and leaves! I just sat in a different seat for the rest of the show. I left a message for a manager this morning, but haven't had a call back yet. I don't normally complain like that, and I'm not a prude or anything, but the language and the lighters really bothered me. I can't beleive the security guy didn't say anything to them!

 

[Pop Daddy]

long post

 

[Manda1219]

Very similar thing happened to me when I went to the movies with my mother a few months ago, and with some friends a few weeks ago.
In the first scenario, the girls were about 13 and were throwing popcorn. EVERYONE was shooting them nasty looks and saying things, the second my mother got out of the theater to tell someone, they took off. My guess is they snuck in after another movie and didn't really care.
The next incident was in an R rated movie, a group of young boys, probably around 11-12 were commenting on EVERYTHING that happened, and very loudly. All it took to shut them up was for me to turn around and very sternly ask them to "Please shut up before I go get someone".
You did the right thing calling management...stay on top of it and let us know how it turns out.

 

[floridaminnie]

That's when the teacher in me comes out and I explain what excatly is going to happen if their behavior does not change and then find someone who follows through. I would make sure you follow up with the manager again and if he chooses not to return your phone call, I would find out who his boss is. Kids playing with a lighter can be a costly expense to the company.

 

[adamak]

I know! I got so mad. These people should be taken out of the theater. When I saw "Catch me if you can", an adult couple were talking the *whole* way through, filling every silence of the screen with their comments. I shush them multiple times, and I finally just said out loud PLEASE. And guess what? They were the one giving me dirty looks. I just cannot believe it.

And then, when we were watching Nemo, a dad just dropped off their 3 & 5 year old kids next to me, in a single seat. And the dad sat in the back. I sort of understand, because the theater was already filled. But come on. These kids just can't concentrate, too young to understand anything, and were yapping the whole time, playing with my clothes, and wiping their pop-corned hand on me.

I really don't enjoy going to movie theaters these days, esp I have to pay $11 per person.

 

[Manda1219]

Originally posted by adamak


I really don't enjoy going to movie theaters these days, esp I have to pay $11 per person.

The main reason my BF and I chose to go while school is in session, or laaate at night. Unfortunatly, these options are not available for everyone.

 

[olena]

And people ask me why I don't go to movies anymore.

 

[Kimickey]

For this very reason, DH and I take our DD to the matinee. Even if were going by ourselves we catch a matinee. Some children now a days have no respect and could careless about who's around them. I've gotten up and left a movie before because of rudeness and demanded to speak to the manager of the theater. DH and I were given free tickets to come again. Movies cost too much now a days for people to talk through the entire flick.

 

[Daisy-J&D]

Jaimee,

This scenario also happened to my friend and I with Cheaper by the Dozen - It's all those kids that are too cool for Hilary Duff to actually admit they want to see the movie. lol Movie Wreckers..

baby crying is my movie theatre pet peeve. I had to sit through Moulin Rouge with a baby screaming in my ear.

btw, cool name.

~ Jaime

 

[Kallison]

I got two teenagers kicked out of Miracle Friday night. After I asked them nicely twice to please stop talking. This is after I saved 8 seats for their hockey team for about 20 minutes while they got snacks, at the expense of others getting peeved at me! I can't stand rudeness in the theater, I won't tolerate it. At the least I would have asked for free passes to come back again. Hooray for Regal Cinemas, they have a no tolerance policy for teenage/kids acting inconsiderate. I told the manager and immediately a security guard came in and told them they were out. The rest of the row was very well behaved after that. I won't put up with that, no way, not when I spend $50 to take my family to the movies. I was just annoyed with DH and the two men sitting next to him -- I said why didn't you back me up?? He said -- I knew you would handle it. I work with 13 year olds all day, so talking to teens is not a problem for me.

 

[Mari annie]

Hi

That's why we rent movies a few weeks/months after they have been out,
or if I am really wanting to get out and see a movie I have my parents stay over and watch our kids and we go to the 12 midnight show!!LOL!

too many times we have encountered the above situations, and it's not cheap to go to the movies and DH and myself to get alot of couple time together as it is!!!

 

[antnee]

Yeah I prefer a late night movie as well, fewer people. How come the security guards are not in the theatre???

 

[Jaimee]

Antnee- the security guard was just down the hall, not really outside. We had a huge incident when the first Barbershop movie opened at this theater, and since Barbershop 2 opened this weekend, they had tons of security and police outside the theaters that were showing that movie, that's why I had to go and look for the guy...hopefully I'll get a call today, otherwise I'll be calling back for sure!

 

[Kimberle]

Our movie theater has a big announcemnt that cell phones MUST be turned off & no "matches/lighters" are permitted (fire code).

If this had happened in my theater & someone reported the CHILDRED, they would have been escorted out, no questions.

Sorry this happend to you. It was a great movie!! Myself & my 4.5 yo dd loved it.

 

[scrappinMickey]

I am a magnet for inconsiderate people at the movies!! EVERY time I go to the movies, the loudest people sit behind me or next to me!! Even those that eat their popcorn fist to mouth without ever closing it to chew!! Like they are oblivious to those around them that would like to hear the movie over their popcorn eating!!

I would much rather rent the movie and watch at home in peace.

 

[KarenC]

Some random thoughts--

I feel sorry for my poor kids everytime this kind of thing happens to me. I'm always giving them the third degree to make sure they don't behave this way when they're with their friends.

Our theatre has Wednesday Movies for Moms. Its for moms and their kids 2 and under. So Moms can take their babies and see the latest movies. Since this theatre opened, and we started going to movies again, I haven't come across any crying babies in the theatre.

It's not just the movies where this type of thing occurs. I HATE sitting in front of a group of teen girls in church. One Sunday, the confirmation class attended service in groups. These three girls chatted through the entire sermon. It was hard for me to hear the pastor. I motioned hush and eventually someone next to them to them to shut up. After the service I told them that I didn't like having to be mean, but I come to church to hear the sermon, and when they talk, I can't hear. Although, I've also had this happen to me when I've sat in front of an elderly couple who decided to comment on everything the pastor said. Sometimes I wonder if my hearing is going, because it seems like it's harder to block out distractions than it used to be

 

[disneysnowflake]

We went to see Return of the King. It was so crowded in there. Some loonies brought their 3 little kids to the movie. The baby cried a lot. The two others kids were less than 5 and scared by the movie. Finally several people complained and the family was asked to leave.. but not until after the dad made a scene, too.

Why in the world would they bring their small children to a long movie like that?

We hardly ever go to the theatre anymore.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

My DS took the afternoon off so we could go see The Return of the King without a large crowd. We arrived early and selected our seats then the theater begain to fill...just as the movie started this man that had just walked in asked my DH to move down so their party could sit together "he was going to move"...I told the man NO. They had other seat options and why should I move... I arrived early and waited.

 

[kasar]

OMG! We're who you're talking about!!!!!

I took my DD and her friend to the movie this past weekend. The girl's mom decided to come with us. They were SO loud! People were turning around when they ate their popcorn (the girl waited until the quietest point in the movie and then shovelled huge handfuls into her mouth and ate with her mouth wide open). They got up TWICE to go to the bathroom and once to get snacks. The mom, who has a very loud speaking voice, laughed hysterically and way too long and kept "whispering" to her daughter.

I may never be able to go back to that theater again!!

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by scrappinMickey
I would much rather rent the movie and watch at home in peace.

I couldn't agree more. It's just not worth the hassle anymore to put up with the loud talkers, babies crying, cell phones ringing, people behind you kicking your seat, etc.

When we do go to the movies, we try to pick an unpopular time to go, like mid-week between 3:30 and 5:00.