How to act at the Movie Theatre
Here are some general "tips" I've learned by going to our local theatre:
-People dislike having your shoes on the top of their seat.
-People are really turned off by your bare feet on the top of their seat.
-People turn around and give you angry looks if you talk in the theatre.
-People tend to get up and get the manager if you continue to talk after they turn around and give you angry looks.
-You might end up with Raisinettes in your hair if you talk on your cell phone during the movie.
Hopefully, these are helpful :)
Let me share a recent incident at a local theatre. We enjoy going to a local theatre where delicious food and drinks are brought to your table while you watch a movie. They could get away with shoddy food, but they don't. It's really good stuff. It is pricy, but worth it. But I digress.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary recently and decided to have a rare date there. We love our kids, but every once in a while, I want my Snugglebunny all to myself. We sat down, were promptly waited on and ordered our food. Behind us was an entire row of what appeared to be pre-teen boys with their chaperon. Now that doesn't bother me a bit as I myself have boys. What bothered me was the noise these boys continued to make during the movie. It continued to ramp up getting louder and louder. They were carrying on conversations, making sound effects and loud comments. I turned around a few times and shot a dirty look. Finally, I told them to be quiet. This was near the end of the movie. They continued with the noise. I'm gritting my teeth.
At the end of the movie, they made a huge ruckus and I had it. I stood up and addressed the boys directly. I told them they should be ashamed of their behavior during the movie and that they had disturbed the entire theatre with their noise. They looked at me shocked like no one had ever corrected them before. Judging from their behavior, that was probably the case. By this time, their ineffective "chaparone" stood up and tried to get me to stop my correcting of these monkeys. She got an earful. I told her that when these children were with her, she was responsible for their behavior. She didn't say another word. I saw this scripture come to life: “The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother” (Proverbs 29:15) There was definitely a disgraced mother that day.
I contacted the theatre manager after the incident. I told him that his staff was responsible for the comfort of his patrons. There was no way that his staff missed the noise while going in and out of the theatre all evening. They should have taken care of it right away. He apologized and told us that he would address this with his staff. He then promptly sent us 4 tickets and $30 in credit for food. I think that was such a kind gesture.
I think that the behavior of these boys is quite prevelant in our affluant community. These children probably think nothing of going to this expensive theatre. Their parents' world probably revolves around the children's comfort and wants. This "child worship" by their parents does not do these children any favors. These children will end up a burden to themselves expecting to live the same standard they are accustomed to after they are on their own. These are the children dumped at the mall that insist on talking loud and making trouble, desperate for any attention. They will be a burden to others wherever they go. Their bad behavior alienating them from other students, teachers, co-workers, and the rest of civilized society. If you love your children, discipline them. It is temporarily uncomfortable for everyone, but reaps life long benefits. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).
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