People who go to the cinema and sit on their phones for the whole film, why?

What about those of us who go to t(e theatre alone? Are we allowed to share our thoughts over messaging, or have a look what friends are up to on social media, or do we have to sit/stand in silence looking into the middle distance?

I agree using screens during a film/theatre production is bad manners and annoying and an indication of screen addiction, but in the interval?

It's because phones are as addictive as heroin and most people no longer have the attention span to sit through a two hour film without scrolling.

Cinema is very expensive now - why the hell would you waste your money and your time doing this? (Taking kids is an exception- it’s just part of parenting.)
I just don't understand this! Do people have money to burn? Unless people are just doing the free tickets on meerkat movies and just sitting on their phone for the sake of it with someone else?

I didnt realise it would bother anyone else As we say in Scotland - you ken noo. Basically - now you know to stop doing it.

Please don't ever do that again! It's absolutely maddening and a total distraction.

You are really odd, since when is half time at the theatre a social time, Do you expect people in your neighbouring seats to also be your entertainment.
it's a few minutes to go to the loo and grab a drink or icecream, the play i went to on thursday didnt have half time. How do you know we didnt buy a programme? What is the difference between looking up the info on your phone , where you find a bit more.

It is rude and entitled. Some people are just addicted to their phones and can't stop looking at them. You go to the cinema to watch a film not your phone. If you are bored then leave, don't disrupt everyone else's viewing.

I have had to ask children next to me to stop playing games on their phone during a film.

I have had to get the usher to ask a family to stop talking, and to stop the child from watching Peppa Pig loudly on their phone during the film.

There is no justification at all for using your phone in the cinema while the film is on.

Honestly the eating annoys me more!

At the theatre last night and the noise of a couple next to me rummaging through bags, opening cans, rustling wrappers. Absolutely no need for it

All parents know that bad kids movies are for getting a little snooze in, the better ones you stay awake for, so next time have a snooze not a scroll! 🤣

I very much doubt that’s what the majority of people are doing. You could always buy a programme, it helps supports the theatre financially too, you’ll have all the information you need in a programme including profiles of the hard working, talented performers and theatre production teams…as opposed to some ghastly AI driven content.

My main bug bear is people autonomously on their phones in such a social setting.

The worst i saw was a young couple with a baby at a 12a film, not a childrens film. They gave the baby their mobile to play with to entertain it. Light was flashing all over the cinema and baby was grizzly. Had to call the usher to do something about it.
I dont think its a boomer problem. I see all ages do it. I dont go to cinema anymore.

Why are you apologising to for being a selfish dick in the cinema, we weren't there? But you were a selfish dick.

People on this thread are really showing that it is all about them and no concept that their perceived right not to be bored doesn’t give them the right to do something that a. the cinema tells them not to do and b. will clearly affect the other people in the giant room with them.

Really bizarre.

No excuse.

Apologies, but I did this when I took my son and his friend to watch the Minecraft Movie. It saved my sanity.

Exactly the boomer mentality - they love to cricitise youngsters while being enormously entitled about their own wants. I know 'boomer' is a trigger word on Mumsnet, but I am not young myself and can't help but notice the appalling selfishness of many older people.

Think of the money people could save if they didn’t go and see films they didn’t really want to see and so sat on their phone for 2.5 hours instead!

Cinema is very expensive now - why the hell would you waste your money and your time doing this? (Taking kids is an exception- it’s just part of parenting.)

And this is a reason why having people being selfish in the cinema is so crap for other people - they do want to see the film in peace and have paid a lot to see it on the big screen.

Of course it's bad manners Is this what you're teaching your grandchildren? That you can shine a bright light in a dark room full of people who've paid to watch it and it's OK? What other sort of manners are you modelling for them?

To be fair at Everyman you are expected to use your phone to order food and drink. Although I will say it’s a total ballache as the QR code doesn’t work once it’s dark, even if you’re just trying to get something during the ads!

How can you not realise a light in a dark room bothers others?
Yes, this. Do you actually not understand this? I am asking out of genuine interest.

Don't do this, it is so rude and inconsiderate. We managed just fine sitting through things that didn't grip us before phones, I am sure you can cope without your dopamine hit for an hour or two.

As I said in an earlier post, it is never young people I see acting in this entitled manner, despite the criticism frequently leveled at them.

I do this thing when that happens - I say the words “thanks for the offer, but I don’t want to see that film” and then I don’t go. I’m really out there and edgy though, so that approach might not be for everyone.

But you are. And setting a bad example.

Get off your phone!

I can guarantee you are.

And you have been told by the cinema not to have your phone on so you’re just choosing to do what suits

I’ve sat in films recently silently annoyed with people doing this and wondered about their critical thinking in how this could possibly be okay ( when they are actually told to put phones away).

Turns out people either think it doesn’t apply to them (because they are bored/didn't want to see the film/have turned their screen brightness down).

Don’t go to the cinema if you can’t not be quiet and turn your phone off.

if you find yourself watching a film you don’t like either leave (and meet friends afterwards) or sit it out because it’s not very long (e.g. if your children want to see something).

Don’t think oh I’ll just go on my phone, it’s only me and doesn’t affect anyone else. Your screen being on in a dark cinema is bothering everyone.