Chatters at the movies

[MaryMorph]

How do you deal with chatters at the movies? We went to see "Up in the Air" today and were constantly being disturbed by the couple behind us and their running commentary. I gave them several pointed glances and a couple of "shhhhhs" and it didn't seem to phase them. Speaking outright to them just seems to add to the problem they've started by creating even more unnecessary talk. I don't want to leave to bug management

Woman: "Do you like that charcoal overcoat George Clooney is wearing?"
Man: "It's not charcoal, it's black."
Woman "No, it is definitely charcoal."

Me, irately to self "Who the h*ll cares! Just shut the F up!"

Despite all of this, I did enjoy the movie---it would have been better without them, though!

[pharmarepgirl]

I actually had stopped going to movies at certain times b/c of this! It makes me crazy. It is like everyone thinks they are at home in their living room!!! I REALLY hate when some ahole answers their cell phone and has an ENTIRE conversation during the movie!!!!!!!!!:mad:

I am interested to see what others say about how to address it. Kinda makes you understand when when that man recently shot someone at the movies for talking the whole time---totally kidding!!!! :D

[KristiB]

I've just asked people to be quiet before.

[Cookin4Love]

I have asked people to be quiet before, and it usually works. If it doesn't, I go get theater management and ask them to deal with it. If they seem reluctant, I tell them I want a refund for my tickets, as I'm not going to pay for a movie I don't get to enjoy because of a problem they could remedy--but won't.

[armel]

Was there room to move?

[TieKitty]

I don't go to movies when they first open for that very reason. I'm not one to confront people. Instead I will sit there and stew.

We happened to see that particular movie, "Up in the Air", last weekend, and there were people talking during it, too. Most of the people in the theatre were of my age or older, so I wonder if it's a generational thing. Or maybe because the majority of the movies we see in theatres are action movies and the sound buries voices.:rolleyes:

I remember the days when before a movie started the message would say something like "Do not talk" or something like that. Maybe they need to add that again to "turn off your cell phone and do not text". It's too bad that people have to be reminded to be considerate of others and even then it doesn't work.

[little_bopeep]

I'm right there with ya about keeping the chatter to a minimum. But the other day, Rob and I went and saw Avatar in 3-D, and the effects were awesome! Every time he got excited and said anything like "Cool!" or "Sweet!" the guy next to me would shush him. I said (quietly) to the guy, "He's just a kid--don't take all the fun out of it for him!" And he shushed me. The place was packed and we couldn't move. There are limits, dude. :rolleyes:

[HejazSunKat]

We happened to see that particular movie, "Up in the Air", last weekend, and there were people talking during it, too. Most of the people in the theatre were of my age or older, so I wonder if it's a generational thing.

I think it's an idiot thing.

[beckms]

I am perfectly comfortable turning around and telling them to be quiet while my mortified husband slinks down in his seat and pretends not to know me. :D

[Natasha]

Here, we have had messages at the beginning of movies telling people to turn off their cell phones for a few years, and I haven't noticed anyone having them on. I've encountered chatterers but nothing so egregious lately that I've had to say anything or move (thank goodness). Mind you, I'm not at all a frequent movie-goer - this is one of the many reasons I love watching movies at home ;)

How annoying, though - I can certainly see why you'd be miffed!

[blazedog]

I agree with others in terms of not putting up with someone who talks. My first move is a pointed turn around and glare which works about 50% of the time.

My next move is a VERY polite -- could you please stop talking which generally solves the problem.

I have never had to deal with someone who then continues to chatter incessantly.

Since it's a human audience I don't expect people to NEVER utter anything although my ideal mode is complete silence which is why I like to go to movies by myself or ONLY with friends who never attempt to say anything to me during the movie.

Regarding kids, I am ambivalent on the subject. I do think that if one walks into a kid friendly movie at certain times, one is going to have to put up with a certain level of noise and distraction -- this should NOT however include listening to shrieking babies -- a pet peeve of mine are babies being brought into unsuitable movies and expected to sleep through the whole thing -- but I digress. ETA - At a matinee for a film like Avatar I would NOT expect complete silence from a child (or even an adult). That dude should really consider his life if he needs to watch a film like Avatar in total reverential silence -- or go to a 10 PM show at which children might realistically be expected not to be present although one would then have to cope with unruly teenagers who can also be noisy -- I had one moron who was constantly using her cell phone next to me - the light was super distracting even though she was only looking at it for texts.

I do think that children need to be taught that certain situations require complete silence and attention as part of the socializing process. When I was a kid there were kiddie matinees in which all kinds of behavior was acceptable. However, silence was expected if we were taken to a first run movie event; the theater, ballet or equivalent cultural event at which children either were NOT taken or were expected to behave.

[beckms]

I do think that if one walks into a kid friendly movie at certain times, one is going to have to put up with a certain level of noise and distraction ...At a matinee for a film like Avatar I would NOT expect complete silence from a child (or even an adult).

Yes. I am more tolerant at kids' movies, especially if the kids' enthusiasm for the movie is the reason they are talking, as opposed to adults who are usually not paying attention and talking about unrelated drivel.

I was a nanny one summer for two adorable kids, and every time we went to see a Disney-ish movie, the 7yo girl would sing along loudly to all of the songs. I let it go, because it was a matinee, it was a kids' movie, and she was passionate about that music! :cool:

[DanaSD]

I will not go to movie theaters anymore because I can't stand dealing with rude people.

chatter
babies (less than 6 months old) at evening movies

Besides the chatter I have issues with the saving seats. We recently went to the moview and when we walked in there were about 40 seats 'being saved' - people had entire rows saved. It was so bad that we couldn't find a set of seats for the 3 of us to sit together. When I asked people where their friends were they said the bathroom - do all 8 people go to the bathroom together at the movies? I had been in the bathroom and there wasn't a line. When I went to the customer service desk there were people trying to get tickets because as they said "our friends our saving our seats" (the movie was sold out). We also over heard people planning the different movies they were seeing that day - so they were buying 1 ticket and then going to multiple showings having 1 person save the seats since the end/start times were close.

[cookieee]

I'm right there with ya about keeping the chatter to a minimum. But the other day, Rob and I went and saw Avatar in 3-D, and the effects were awesome! Every time he got excited and said anything like "Cool!" or "Sweet!" the guy next to me would shush him. I said (quietly) to the guy, "He's just a kid--don't take all the fun out of it for him!" And he shushed me. The place was packed and we couldn't move. There are limits, dude. :rolleyes:

:D:D Susan, I can relate. I don't know if I have posted this before or not. Recently at a movie (can't remember which one) I was constantly being scared,(by the movie:D) The first time it happened I said "Oh sh**" real loud. Couple rows back I heard a woman say something to her husband and he said "she said oh sh**. I was so embarrassed, but would you believe, the movie kept scaring me like that. I was a little bit quieter though. :rolleyes:

[CookingMahz]

As well, we seldom attend the movies for these very reasons. While this is NOT live theater, it IS a public venue and people should mind their manners, but that's assuming they were taught some in the first place. . .

If I can't achieve the desired silence to hear the dialogue, I go to the ticket desk/refreshment stand and ask for help. Usually, by the time we return, the vaccinated-with-phonograph-needles folk have quieted down. The chatter is so very annoying that indeed, it does spoil the outting in my opinion.

We've decided to rent DVDs instead and avoid the grief.

[Cinnamon Crazy]

This thread reminds me of the time that I saw Lords of the Rings with my three brothers and one of their friends. This woman behind me translated the entire movie in Spanish to her seat mate. I was so pissed. Nothing I did would make her shut up. At the end of the movie I stood up and totally told her off. My brothers wouldn't let me go to theater management. I was so mad.

As for children, I adore kids, except when I purposely go see a movie at 10:00 pm and still have to deal with crying/screaming kids. I would happily pay a few more dollars per ticket if it was guaranteed no one under 18 allowed, regardless if you are with your parent. I rarely go to the theater anyway, I am fine paying a little more to insure the experience is enjoyable.

[SusanMac]

I have really low tolerance for chatters, too. We now have a home theater for this reason. In addition to silence...we can watch movies in our jammies, drink wine & not have sticky gross seats :-)

We did go see Avatar b/c of the Imax 3D. We went to a matinee & were super lucky that there were no chatters near us. that never happens!!