Goddess Rant: An Open Letter to All Moviegoers
Dear Moviegoers,
After going to the movies not once, not twice, but three times last weekend, I felt it was time that we had a chat. I had a few experiences last weekend that I thought I would bring to your attention so maybe we could come to some sort of understanding on what to do and what not to do at the movies.
First, let me explain what happened. Last Saturday I went to the movies to see Sanctum. This movie has been out for a while and I went to the first showing so naturally, the theater was not full at all. My Aunt and I chose our seats so we wouldn’t be sitting directly in front, or behind the few others in the theater. It’s the proper thing to do. I set my bag in the empty seat next to me because I knew there was no way this theater was going to be full. The lights dimmed and the commercials started. This couple comes in and the guy decides he needs to sit RIGHT NEXT to me. There were so many empty seats available I thought no way is this guy going to sit there. Wrong. As he’s lowering his mass of flesh into the seat, I had to scramble to get my bag out of the way before it met a most untimely, horrible fate. I said “EXCUSE ME!” a bit loud, but he just sat down anyway. My first thought was “DUDE! REALLY?!”. I got up and moved to the other side of my Aunt where the rest of the row was empty and then the couple, actually got up and moved too! My point here Moviegoer, is that if you go see a movie and the theater isn’t full, do what you can to not impede the seating of those around you. You know that you would appreciate someone’s common courtesy right? Let’s be respectful people.
Photo by Candysurplus.com
My next experience had to do with snacks. Mmmmmm snacks! On Sunday I went with Aunt and Dad to see Unknown. Now I love theater snacks as much as the next person. And I’ve been known to bring in my own from time to time. But again, it’s all about courtesy. I come to expect a certain noise level during a movie because of popcorn, the popcorn bags, various wrapper etc. But Pop Rocks are not something I expect. Especially being eaten by the guy next to me. With his mouth open. All I could hear was the sound of Pop Rocks. As I said, I used to cater in at the theater, but the stuff I brought was always quiet. Key word…..quiet. Moviegoer, if you must eat your beloved Pop Rocks, I just ask that you eat them with your mouth closed.
Photo by Barrymoredesigns.com
While I’m talking about snacks, I’d also like to ask that if you decide to provide your own snacks at the movies, bring something that does not have noisy packaging. This is a simple thing. Just put whatever the item is in zip lock back or something. When I went to see I Am Number Four on Monday, the lady behind me had something that was packaged in super industrial strength cellophane. It sounded like she was opening one of those huge gift baskets you win at a silent auction. It took her just as long to open it too. The opening of the film was met with the crinkle crinkle crinkle amplified to 80. If changing out the package before you get to the theater isn’t an option, how about opening it before the lights go out?
That’s really all I have for now Moviegoer. I really hope you and I can come to some sort of understanding. I’ll be back at the theater this weekend and will hope that I’ve made a difference. We really all want the same thing don’t we? Let’s keep the noise level down and please for the love of God, choose your seats wisely. Mmmm-kay pumpkin?
Sincerely,
Tracy
Tags: I Am Number Four, loud food, Pop Rocks, rude people at the movies, Sanctum, things that really bug me, Unknown
Dude, I get so heated when people do inconsiderate shit. They all have the intelligence of mouth breathing goldfish. *sucker punch*
Right?! It’s so frustrating!
Ugh! I’ve had these same experiences, atlhough, not in the same week! I eat Popcorn and a soda at the movies, maybe some nachos if I’m peckish. I’ll only bring something that has a large wrapped if I can immediately decant said item and discard the wrapping. I’ll often pour a bag of sweets in to my used Nacho pot once done so I am not screwing around with things all film.
People sitting next to you is weird. I had a girl approach me in the cinema once and ask if she could sit next to me and my then girlfriend. A guy had sat next to her in a near empty cinema and then moved when she did. My girlfriend – a vehement feminist – stormed up to the guy and shouted at him. This was luckily pre-movie as, I don’t like to have a movie spoiled for anything. The girl and I actually became good friends, so I suppose, a happy ending.
People are considerat eeverywhere, no surprise they are the same at the movies. I went to watch The Forbidden Kingdom with a friend a few years back. Jackie Chan and Jet Li goodness. A couple sat down the end of our back row in an empty theater and held a conversation throughout the entire film. I was fuming!
It just amazes me how people can lack all consideration sometimes. I went the theater yesterday though and am happy to report that there was no drama. Although there was only a total of 4 people in the theater. Including myself.
It makes you wish that all theaters had ushers again. People who ensured that the movie-going experience was enjoyable for everyone, not just those who decide that their needs supercede everyone else’s. We should rise up, polite movie-goers, rise up and protest against the incosiderate, the rude, and the lazy. Instead of mumbling our complaints under our collective breath, we should boldly and with a forthright tone state, “Uh, could you please …. I mean, really, just …” And that’s the trouble, right? How do we make them act like humans? I’ve shushed, I’ve asked politely, I’ve even threatened to “tell” on them (not one of my finer moments), but the regular polite responses don’t seem to have any effect on these people.
So until the general populace can learn to act like humans, then NO, you can’t sit next to me, and how DARE you ask!
Ah yes, the days of ushers. It would be nice if everyone would abide by the common courtesy rule. This past weekend I went to see The Adjustment Bureau and there was a lady in the theater who thought she’d catch up on the news because she was reading a newspaper. Then the second the lights went out she got on her phone. Ridiculous!! Oh, and I will sit by you whether you like it or not