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Proper movie theater etiquette
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Yesterday, I posted a rave review of the new film State of Play. While I enjoyed the film very much, the experience wasn't entirely enjoyable. You see, I love everything about going to the movies. You get to sit in a giant room with a giant screen and an excellent sound system so you can hear everything from the softest whisper to the loudest explosion. The lights go down, the previews start up and before you know it you get lost in a story for a couple hours (assuming it's a good movie, of course.) However, all of that can be ruined if you have the unfortunate luck of having to sit near someone who doesn't understand proper movie theater etiquette. Such was the case for me during State of Play. Using the people that sat behind me as examples, I will list the proper way to conduct oneself at the movies.
- Do not kick the chair in front of you. Once is okay if you're walking past the chair and accidentally bump it or if you're adjusting yourself in the chair you've chosen to sit in after first sitting down. However, if you keep kicking the chair every time you adjust your legs throughout the movie, that is unacceptable. It's impolite, it's annoying and having just a little bit of empathy towards this situation probably would have caused the people sitting behind me to think otherwise.
- Do not talk during the movie or the previews. This is hands down the most sacred of all the rules in movie theater etiquette. Note that I included previews. The people that sat behind me must have thought that since it's not the actual movie, they could just keep blithering on about whatever pops into their heads. No. Do not do that. As soon as the lights go down, that means every one needs to shut it until the lights go back up. During State of Play, every time Helen Mirren appeared on screen, the people behind me felt the need to remark to each other about what a great actress she is. And you know what? I agree, she is a great actress and she's great in State of Play, but how about saving that conversation for after the movie ends? Also, with about 20 minutes left in the movie, one of them said to the other, "there's a lot more to this story." Really? You think? Wow, what insight you have seeing as how there are about five loose ends that need to be tied up staring the audience in the face. I repeat: DO NOT TALK DURING THE MOVIE.
- Do not crinkle your candy wrappers during the movie. Candy is delicious, that is a universal truth. Eating candy or popcorn during the movie can sometimes enhance the experience. However, some candy wrappers can be rather loud in a quieted theater, the chief offender being Twizzlers. I have nothing against Twizzlers, I occasionally enjoy them, but when they ruin my movie going experience, there's nothing I despise more than Twizzlers and the person eating them. Guess who was eating Twizzlers during State of Play? That's right, the people sitting behind me. I almost wish Helen Mirren was in every scene of the movie so that way they might've put down their candy of choice for the duration of the flick.
As I read those three points again, it occurs to me that they would fit comfortably in the category of common sense. It seems that these days, at least where the movie theater is concerned, that common sense and common courtesy aren't common anymore for some people. I'm shocked the people sitting behind me didn't have a cell phone that went off a couple times or a baby that was cranky through the whole movie.
If you've read this article and you see some of your habits at the movies, please consider how it affects those around you. They paid their $8 to $10 just as you did and I can guarantee that when they bought that ticket, they didn't ask the theater employee, "Hey, will someone be kicking the back of my chair, talking during the previews and feature presentation and crinkling a candy wrapper through the whole movie? Because I'd really enjoy the movie a lot more if that were going on."
