Rude and inconsiderate theatregoers

Kaleidoscope27

I was at the cinema today. I went to see Iron Man 2 at the IMAX. In the seats behind me were a dad and his son. The kid can't have been any older than 3, the age when kids prefer to squeak than speak. Oh. My. God. I swear the only two words the kid knew were Iron Man. He kept yelling them out. The dad only shushed him half the time and when the film got loud and noisy (as a 12A action film on the IMAX would!) the kid cried. Loudly. I thought Dad would take him out to calm him down, but he didn't.

I fail to understand why he thought it would be a bright idea to take a 3 year old to an explosion heavy movie in a cinema where the sound is loud enough to vibrate your body.

I know a 12A means any child under 12 accompanied by an adult can go in, but it's still rated 12 for a reason. There should be a lower age limit.

techno12

Reminds me of the last time I went to the cinema (Avatar). Waste of £10.50 due to all the idiots constantly lighting their mobiles up texting throughout the film. Switch them off!

Now I remember why I watch films at home nowadays and never go to the cinema after that annoying and expensive experience (I enjoyed the film though so wasn't a complete waste).

Makeandsave

I have sort of given up seeing films at the cinema now, But if i do go it will not be in the first 2 weeks of a film being released or in the holidays or at the weekends or evenings. I like to wait and buy it on dvd, Me and my mate tend to go halfs on dvds and you can get pre-ordered dvds cheap. Much less then 2 tickets to a cinema.

We then get the snacks in bowls turn the phones off, Unplug the landline then we can relax, Watch the film and enjoy it in our PJs.

I have only complained once when i was at the cinema and they gave us free tickets i ended up given them to a friend.

davidlizard

techno12 wrote: »

Reminds me of the last time I went to the cinema (Avatar). Waste of £10.50 due to all the idiots constantly lighting their mobiles up texting throughout the film. Switch them off!

Now I remember why I watch films at home nowadays and never go to the cinema after that annoying and expensive experience (I enjoyed the film though so wasn't a complete waste).

Mobiles - my pet hate. And a sizable number of people seem to think the "please turn your phone off" signs do not apply to them, and continue to text or even yak away whilst the film is in progress, with ringtones going off continually.

If I had my way, I would employ usherettes who walk up and down the aisles with a bucket of sulphuric acid. Anyone caught using their phone will have it taken off them and dropped into this vat of acid. That will teach them.

inca_2

I don't turn my phone off but then I also have it on silent and never take it out my bag during a film so it's as good as turning it off. Would be mortified if it got to a quiet/intense bit in the film and my stupid ringtone started going off. To be honest though that would be unlikely to happen anywhere, I only ever have it on vibrate or silent because it does my head in if it's ringing loudly and I can't find it in my bag.

poet123

I went to watch Hairspray, and ironically it was ruined for me by a large woman in front tossing her hair by putting both hands up under the bottom of it, and flicking it up on both sides, every 5 mins. As I am only 5ft 1" my view of the stage was through strands of hair. I made a pointed comment to my friends, but it was clearly an unconscious gesture which she could not control.

tc80tc80

I got so disgusted with people's behavior at cinemas that I stopped going completely. I bought myself a 1080P projector that shows a 12 foot diagonal screen on the wall of my living room. Fantastic sound system. Sure I may have to wait a couple of months after the cinema release to see a film.

But I get to wear whatever I want. Stop the film to hit the loo. Drink as much beer as I like. Eat what I want. I have the best cinema seat money can buy, lie back, massage, etc and my feet don't stick to the floor. :D:D

Fuzzy_Duck

Kaleidoscope27 wrote: »

I was at the cinema today. I went to see Iron Man 2 at the IMAX. In the seats behind me were a dad and his son. The kid can't have been any older than 3, the age when kids prefer to squeak than speak. Oh. My. God. I swear the only two words the kid knew were Iron Man. He kept yelling them out. The dad only shushed him half the time and when the film got loud and noisy (as a 12A action film on the IMAX would!) the kid cried. Loudly. I thought Dad would take him out to calm him down, but he didn't.

I fail to understand why he thought it would be a bright idea to take a 3 year old to an explosion heavy movie in a cinema where the sound is loud enough to vibrate your body.

I know a 12A means any child under 12 accompanied by an adult can go in, but it's still rated 12 for a reason. There should be a lower age limit.

Totally agree! I saw Iron Man 2 a few days ago and someone brought a baby in. I felt really sorry for the people nearby- I could hear it wailing from the other side of the cinema so it must of been hellish for them.

The worst time admittedly was when a huge family came in- late of course- and the parents proceeded to watch the film and ignore their kids entirely. The baby cried constantly and the other kids ran riot around the cinema, sitting right next to other people in what seemed an attempt to make them uncomfortable, throwing popcorn at those in front and then moving again.

catkins

Why are there so many inconsiderate people. I love going to the cinema and theatre but almost every visit is ruined by stupid people. It's especially annoying in the theatre because the seats cost so much.

Literally every time we go people come in late and everyone in their row has to stand and let them past. Why can't people be on time? Also all theatres state they will not let people in once the show has started but no theatre abides by this. I have known people come in as much as 20 minutes late!

You also have all the people who have to go in and out to the loo, again making everyone in their row stand. This happens in the cinema and theatre and I am sorry but if you cannot go 2 hours or so without needing the loo then there is something wrong with you and you should ask for an end seat so you don't ruin everyone else's enjoyment.

There are also all the mobiles, often ringing during a performance (I have even know people answer their phones and have conversations!), or people checking the time on their phone and you see the screen light up (is there no end to the sadness of some people!).

I also don't understand why people see the need to eat and drink during films or shows. Again, it is only a couple of hours they are hardly going to starve are the? I used to belong to the National Film Theatre and loved going to see films there because no food or drink was allowed. You are meant to be going to see a film not to eat.

Talking is another thing that annoys me. You want to talk go to the pub or a restaurant - why go to the cinema or theatre. Certainly in the case of the theatre you must have more money than sense.

I went to a George Michael concert which I was so looking forward to. My whole evening was ruined by people having shouted conversations all through his show!! Considering the tickets cost over £100 each I just could not understand why they were doing it. As we were standing we kept moving around but there seemed to be people everywhere chatting. Why would you go to see George Michael if you did not like him? We complained to some of the stewards but they were not interested. Have also complained in the cinema and theatre about other people but staff have never been the slightest bit interested

Hermia

catkins wrote: »

Why are there so many inconsiderate people. I love going to the cinema and theatre but almost every visit is ruined by stupid people. It's especially annoying in the theatre because the seats cost so much.

I don't understand why these inconsiderate people bother going to the theatre or cinema. They pay a fortune for a ticket and then spend the whole evening chatting or looking at their mobile. Go to a coffee shop if you want to chat!

The worst confrontation I had was when a family sat in front of me with a 7 year old. The child was given a booster seat that brought her up to the same level as the adults in the audience, but that wasn't high enough for her. She therefore sat on the back of the seat which meant she was a good couple of feet above everyone else and no one sitting behind her all the way to the back of the theatre could see. I asked the mum to intervene and the mum had a go at me for spoiling her little darling's night out - grrrr!

A lot of it does depend where you go. I have always found arts cinema and National Film Theatre audiences to be extremely well-behaved (even the kids). I once won tickets to the ballet at the Royal Opera House and was astonished to see all these children from little 'uns up to teenagers sit still and quietly for over two hours. I have never seen children so absorbed. I rarely go to the West End now as it is so overpriced and the audience members sometimes seem to be there because it's the 'thing to do' rather than because they love the theatre. I find National Theatre and fringe theatre audiences much more pleasant.