Rude and inconsiderate theatregoers

faded_flowers

I'm usually shocked if I manage to end up next to considerate people during a musical. Coming in late, strong perfume, whispering, chatting, letting phones go off, crinkling sweet bags loudly... all the norm.

The last time my Dad actually turned around and told a lady 'we paid for the show not your commentary' - that shut her up

Katejayne1

jennyjelly wrote: »

There seem to be an awful lot of us who are bothered by ill-mannered people in theatres.

I see you're going to Rocky Horror, hopefully you'll be prepared for ill -mannered people at the theatre that night

jennyjelly

Katejayne1 wrote: »

I see you're going to Rocky Horror, hopefully you'll be prepared for ill -mannered people at the theatre that night

Rocky's different - you wouldn't go if you wanted a nice quiet sedate night out with nice quiet sensible people!

Horses for courses, as they say!

jennyjelly

faded_flowers wrote: »

The last time my Dad actually turned around and told a lady 'we paid for the show not your commentary' - that shut her up

Brilliant, I shall use that one!

The_One_Who

You should have complained, or at least said something, at the time. They can't do anything about something they don't know about. Although the usher may not have felt comfortable saying something directly to them a duty manager or supervisor would have been able to. If they shrug it off or say its not their responsibility, then I would send a complaint.

Most of the time a latecomers procedure is decided by the promoter rather than the theatre. If there is a suitable gap in the performance then they will try to get them in, possibly sitting/standing them up the back if needed.

Food and drinks policies are different everywhere, sometimes being dependent on the event in question. Most of the time drinks are not allowed in, if for no other reason than they are a nightmare to clean up.

orangestone

I've been to the theatre a lot and thankfully haven't really experienced inconsiderate people in front or behind. I got elbowed in the head once though, but that was an accident!

My sister and I were at Oliver! last year and there were 2 empty seats beside us. About 10 minutes into the show (when there was a gap) a couple arrived. The 3 people they had to pass before us very audibly showed their annoyance and a bit of argument broke out between them.

I'll usually take something to nibble on during a show, but if I have to do any opening or rustling of a packet/bag I always wait until there's loud clapping going on.

RadoJo

I have frequently asked people at concerts and shows to pipe down - I usually use the line 'I really only paid to hear the performance' which usually shuts people up, and often they look embarrassed, which surprises me as they must realise that if they can hear each other talking, other people can as well! I'm not hugely sympathetic to people that have to eat throughout a film or show - if you can't go two hours without a snack, then at least have the decency to consider those around you when picking what you eat and when you eat it.

I once went to a gig where I was right at the front, literally leaning on the stage, and some girl behind me was yakking away to her friends so loudly that I could still hear her. I asked her to be quiet, or move to the back and she nodded, but then started complaining that she didn't think I could really hear her - unfortunately for her another group of people all turned around and agreed that we could ALL hear her, and she had the grace to shut up, but I really don't understand why people would pay to go to a concert and then yammer on at their friends all the way through.

Unfortunately it's not hard to find inconsiderate people when you go out to events and you really have to be prepared to ask them to be quiet - it doesn't come naturally to me as I prefer to enjoy a nice evening without confrontation, but after sitting there fuming for a while, I think about how much I have spent and I always make sure I am unfailingly polite which makes it hard for people to argue.

inca_2

We went to see the Lion King and there was a load of foreign students talking and making noise all the way through the show even though people kept shushing them and complaints were made at the interval. There was a big group of them so it really interfered with the enjoyment of the show. The worse thing was that it looked as though they had adults with them (not sure if they were maybe teachers) who should really have tried to keep better control of them.

I don't see the problem with being able to take a glass of wine in with you at the interval. The last few times I have been to the theatre I have always taken a glass (plastic cup techinically lol) in with me at the start and will often fetch one at the interval. I keep it in my hand so it won't be knocked over and it's not as if it makes any noise. I go to the loo at the interval and when whatever I'm watching has finished so it has no effect on anyone else and I enjoy a glass of wine when I'm on my own time relaxing.

Absolutely can't stand people who talk through a film/play/performance though, why oh why would you go to somewhere where you're expected to be quiet if all you want to do is have a good long chat?? You could do that for free at home or much cheaper in a bar!

fleagle21

I went to see four christmases at the cinema a year or so ago, and a guy with his daughter came and sat next to me and hubby - the guy was right next to me, they'd bought an entire picnic including a very noisy bag of doritos to munch their way through, and he had serious body odour. Thinking it couldn't get any worse, I was proved wrong - he farted so hard that it rumbled through my seat, really made me feel sick! No sign of embarrassment or an excuse me, just carried on munching away... eeww!

jennyjelly

fleagle21 wrote: »

I went to see four christmases at the cinema a year or so ago, and a guy with his daughter came and sat next to me and hubby - the guy was right next to me, they'd bought an entire picnic including a very noisy bag of doritos to munch their way through, and he had serious body odour. Thinking it couldn't get any worse, I was proved wrong - he farted so hard that it rumbled through my seat, really made me feel sick! No sign of embarrassment or an excuse me, just carried on munching away... eeww!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
I absolutely sympathise, but your description of them has cracked me up! ('rumbled through my seat'!):rotfl:

There's a man at my drama group with a serious BO problem, worse his trousers smell like he has a 'leakage problem' and hasn't washed them, if you get my drift. I dread having him sit next to me - have avoided it so far.