Asking people at the movie theater to stop interrupting you from enjoying a movie.

[thewerepuppygrr]

Originally Posted by John Klein

I'm not talking about checking every five seconds, I'm talking about checking once or twice since it is on silent to make sure you didn't miss something important.

I still think that is excessive during a movie that will likely only last a couple of hours.

[ThatOneGuy]

Originally Posted by thewerepuppygrr

I still think that is excessive during a movie that will likely only last a couple of hours.

Once or twice is excessive just to make sure nothing is happening while you are hard to get in contact with? Ok. This isn't taking out the phone and waving it around for all to see, this is quickly turning on the screen to see if a notification is there then turning off the screen.

[imsounoriginal]

My general rule is that if someone calls me twice in quick succession, it must be important enough for me to get up and take the call outside. A text is almost never important, the most urgent thing will be "pick up some milk on the way home" or something. I also have a habit of never picking up an unrecognized number; if it's someone that needs to get in touch with me, they can leave a voicemail (which I'll listen to after the movie) or text me saying who they are (which I can see on my Watch and then decide if it's worth stepping out for).

[esteban²]

My experience is that when someone calls me multiple times in quick succession, 95% of the time people are just being impatient and it's still nothing important at all. I hate that kinda behavior. So, when I go to the theatres, my phone is off. And if something bad happened, I'll be there 120 minutes later. Shit can happen every minute of the day, I don't adjust my life because of the possibility.

[WhySoBlu?]

Originally Posted by octagon

This is the second time you've said this. You would rather somebody get up, do the 'excuse me, pardon me, excuse me' shuffle past you getting to the aisle, disappear for a few moment and then come back and shuffle getting back to their seat?

You would seriously prefer all that to somebody discretely checking a text or seeing who a missed call was from?

The theaters I frequent have plenty of space in front of the rows of seats to allow for people to pass. As long as they're not loud and obnoxious about it, getting up to go to the bathroom or get more popcorn is far less distracting than a spotlight lighting up the dark theater while some dimwit checks his phone.

YMMV...

And let's be honest - the vast majority of people who check their phones in the middle of a movie don't make even a cursory attempt to conceal what they're doing or keep the light from illuminating the entire theater as well as their "big dumb faces." There are far too many entitled, inconsiderate children out there, and a lot of them are grown-ass adults. It's a sad state of affairs, and you defending their behavior is a little telling...

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by WhySoBlu?

The theaters I frequent have plenty of space in front of the rows of seats to allow for people to pass. As long as they're not loud and obnoxious about it, getting up to go to the bathroom or get more popcorn is far less distracting than a spotlight lighting up the dark theater while some dimwit checks his phone.

YMMV...

And let's be honest - the vast majority of people who check their phones in the middle of a movie don't make even a cursory attempt to conceal what they're doing or keep the light from illuminating the entire theater as well as their "big dumb faces." There are far too many entitled, inconsiderate children out there, and a lot of them are grown-ass adults. It's a sad state of affairs, and you defending their behavior is a little telling...

That was exactly my point. Many people now just don't grasp the idea of consideration. If they are not looking at their phone they are talking. It's the main reason I stick with my home cinema (exceptions being Star Wars last year)

[thewerepuppygrr]

Originally Posted by John Klein

Once or twice is excessive just to make sure nothing is happening while you are hard to get in contact with? Ok. This isn't taking out the phone and waving it around for all to see, this is quickly turning on the screen to see if a notification is there then turning off the screen.

It doesn't matter how long you do it for - it's irritating. That phone screen light is a distraction, no matter how subtle you think you are being. It takes people out of the movie they paid to see. I don't think you or me or anyone else has the right to do that. It's just common courtesy, really.

[WhySoBlu?]

Originally Posted by John Klein

How would they know when they are receiving an important text/call?

If you followed the conversation, you would know that the post I was responding to specifically said "Well... here's a thought... perhaps they are waiting for an important time sensitive text or call?"

Notice the word "waiting," as in - they are expecting the call? See how it works better if you read everything before replying?

Originally Posted by John Klein

I never turn off my phone in the theater just in case I get a text or call that requires me to bail during the film. I put it on silent so I take it out every so often to see if someone called or messaged me... also to check the time when a film feels long.

You do realize that people used to go the entire trip - from the house to the the theater and then back home after the movie - being unreachable by phone, right? And somehow the world kept turning.

Get over yourself - you're not that important that you can't go two and half hours without getting a message or a call. And if you have such a short attention span that you can't go that long without checking the time, maybe you should stick to TV shows and watching stuff at home.

Kids these days...

Originally Posted by John Klein

What phones are those?

The gigantic tablet-sized phones that a lot of people are carrying around these days. What phones did you think I was talking about? The ones where the screen's backlight often does double-duty as the phone's flashlight.

Originally Posted by John Klein

The most I see is a bright square for a second or two.

And even if that was all it was, it's distracting - and extremely obnoxious - for bright squares to be continuously flashing on and off throughout the movie because a certain segment of the population lacks the will-power and attention span (not to mention empathy) to sit quietly and watch a movie for two hours without checking their phone and bothering the people around them.

Originally Posted by John Klein

Most people who do actually use their phones during a film put their brightness setting on the lowest it can go from my experience seeing phone users in the theater.

Not in my experience. In my experience, the people obnoxious enough to think it's okay to check their phones throughout the film are also completely oblivious to the fact that their phones are bright and lighting up the group of seats all around them (as well as their "big dumb face.")

The bottom line is that you're not allowed to do what you're doing. It shouldn't have to be said at all, yet they tell you before every movie starts: shut your mouth and turn off your phone. "Entitled children" is the number one reason I cite when choosing to avoid the theater and instead wait for the BD release. It's also the reason I often opt for a more expensive theater that will quickly boot out the phone users and talkers. Selfish people like you are ruining it for everyone else.

Originally Posted by John Klein

My family and friends are. If someone is in trouble, I would like to know ASAP. A lot of shit can happen in two hours randomly.

You poor thing. I can't imagine how you would have survived in the dark ages known as the 80s and 90s without your precious phone to comfort you at all times. I'm surprised you're willing to take your eyes off of your friends and family long enough to look at the screen to read what people are saying...

Originally Posted by John Klein

Did you miss the "randomly" part? Just because you don't care enough about your family and friends doesn't mean everyone else can't be. It is just a simple quick check that only takes a second, get off your high horse.

Man - you know your argument's weak when you start desperately (and childishly) lashing out with things like "you don't care enough about your family and friends." So sad...

[Monterey Jack]

Next time someone interrupts your moviegoing experience, give 'em the PSH treatment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxep5Z1h3_U

[WhySoBlu?]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWxVXCmvBl0

[ajburke]

I generally turn my phone all the way off at the movie theater. That said, there have been times I've forgotten and I have checked my phone discreetly just to see who was texting/calling. I think a percentage of people check their phones during the vast majority of showings but most of them are perfectly courteous people who do so without letting it distract others. I think the key is to do what you need to do, but do so in a way that isn't a bother.

I tend not to invite conflict, but I know I've shushed a few people, and I may or may not have thrown popcorn. Sometimes people who aren't that emotionally invested in their theater experience just need a reminder.

Like several others in this thread, I too seek out showings that are likely to be less crowded. In my town, and in my experience, even this tends not to be fool-proof. Matinees tend to draw a lot of senior citizens who can be as chatty as they come, like they are treating it as a social outing with their friends. Also, when I saw a matinee of Carol last year, there was a man walking up the aisle and he just stopped a few rows in front of me, very much in my eye-line and continued watching the movie while standing there on the steps. While I wish everyone could have the experience they want, it's important to understand what you're really signing up for when you go to a movie theater.

With a five-month old, I actually haven't been to a theater in a while. We did take him to a drive-in showing though, and that was great!

[chip75]

Years ago I used to joke that cell phones were for expectant fathers and FBI agents, you didn't really need one. Now obviously that's changed, but let's face it if you're waiting for an urgent call go and do it somewhere else than a movie theatre, why should your call interrupt the not inexpensive costs of other people wanting to enjoy a movie? We expect interruptions at home, the theatre should be a place to watch movies not awaiting area for you to screen calls.

If you're waiting for a important call that can't wait two hours go and wait somewhere else. A little consideration goes a long way. If you're desperate to look at your phone sit in the back row, if you don't want to sit in the back row, turn your phone off.

I still don't understand why we can't have dead zones inside theatres? I know people have mentioned that they'd get sued if people missed emergency calls (good luck with that), but there only needs to be terms & conditions added to the purchase of a ticket saying your phones may not work in the theatre and what about the people who are thoughtful of other patrons? I can't remember many stories of people missing calls because they did shut there phones off!

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by Chaotic

Since people are carrying guns on them these days, I'm not gonna say anything.

Ya, I was gonna say, just bust a cap in their ass gangsta style....

[James_Younger_Gang]

I dont know if this has happened to others, but lately, young groups of people arrive late at the theater and they talk nonstop throughout the movie. Its like they are either not afraid or they dont notice or simply dont care at all. I have found it effective to just stand up and walk away to another seat. They end up saying: we have to shut up, those people walked away because of us.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by John Klein

My family and friends are. If someone is in trouble, I would like to know ASAP. A lot of shit can happen in two hours randomly.

Do you live in Aleppo or something?

[ArrestedDevelopment]

Originally Posted by John Klein

My family and friends are. If someone is in trouble, I would like to know ASAP. A lot of shit can happen in two hours randomly.

Originally Posted by levcore

Then if the people you care about are in such constant danger I'd advise you never go to the cinema. Best to be by their side at all times.

Originally Posted by thewerepuppygrr

At best that is total paranoia.

I always hear this excuse as to why Americans believe in their right to bear arms lol. Why do Americans always think they're in danger?

[TommySyk]

Usually when it's a large group, I just call the theater manager or one of the employees to shut them up for me. They'll be quiet in fear of being kicked out afterwards.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by ArrestedDevelopment

I always hear this excuse as to why Americans believe in their right to bear arms lol. Why do Americans always think they're in danger?

[chip75]

Originally Posted by ArrestedDevelopment

I always hear this excuse as to why Americans believe in their right to bear arms lol.

Time historians in the future will go back and discover it was a typo ... they really wanted a God given right for each fellow American to wear short-sleeved shirts.

"Good sir, those aren't the guns we were talking about!"

[A Sith Lord?]

Originally Posted by John Klein

Once or twice is excessive just to make sure nothing is happening while you are hard to get in contact with? Ok. This isn't taking out the phone and waving it around for all to see, this is quickly turning on the screen to see if a notification is there then turning off the screen.

Really no point in arguing with them.

My phone brightness is the lowest and there is no illumination on my face. THe brightness is so low i can barely see what's on the screen sometimes.

If it's not bothering someone, mind your own f---ing business. If someone on their phone briefly where it's not bothering anyone is something people care so deeply about, perhaps they need to reevaluate their life.