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Original poster

Would you move along one seat?

78 replies

AmandasFleckerl · 26/09/2023 16:47

I have bought two tickets to see a comedian at my local theatre. But when I went to pick seats there were only odd single seats dotted around. In the front row in the circle there were two seats available but there are 4 seats already booked between them. My seats are N7 and N12.
If you were asked politely whether you would mind moving one seat along so that I could sit next to my friend, would you oblige or object. Looking to work out whether to ask them or make the best of the situation.

OP posts:
Original poster
AmandasFleckerl · 26/09/2023 17:17

Playaville · 26/09/2023 17:13

Did you not get the option to choose the seats before completing the transaction? That’s what normally happens

Yes but there were only single seats available. There were no seats available together.

OP posts:
cocksstrideintheevening · 26/09/2023 17:18

I would if it didn't impact me eg I like to sit on the aisle and don't want a pillar in my way. I wouldn't want to move further into the middle either as I find it restrictive.

Drews · 26/09/2023 17:19

You're also hoping that the 4 seats in between the 2 single seats are 1 party.

JustPressRed · 26/09/2023 17:20

I wouldn't object to being asked at all and would budge up a seat.

Although, by doing so is it going to throw a load of other seats out, or does the block of 4 already booked have just one seat left next to it before the end of the row?

I'm not sure I made an iota of sense there, but I know what I mean!

literalviolence · 26/09/2023 17:26

I don't think I would. There will have been a reason why I chose the one I bought. Personally I think it's rude to ask. Can't you just sit separately? You can still catch up at the interval and before and after.

EmpressaurusOfCats · 26/09/2023 17:27

AmandasFleckerl · 26/09/2023 17:02

Front row in the upper circle, I made a mistake and said circle in my OP.

Show quote history

In that case no problem.

Original poster
AmandasFleckerl · 26/09/2023 17:27

Drews · 26/09/2023 17:19

You're also hoping that the 4 seats in between the 2 single seats are 1 party.

If it’s a group of four then only one needs to move, either N8 into N12 or N11 into N7

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 26/09/2023 17:32

I think in the real world most people would-I assume you wouldn't ask if the person would be moving behind a pillar or something. But on Mumsnet the very act of asking would be considered a massive imposition. Particularly if you are a MIL, over 50, a labour supporter or a vegan.

Ponderingwindow · 26/09/2023 17:32

I’ve noticed some seat selection software is starting to restrict choices to prevent this from happening. Sometimes those singles happen because people hope there will end up being a gap between groups.

assuming like seats, I would move over.

StarlightLady · 26/09/2023 17:41

I would providing it was not a restricted view seat that I would be moving into.

Spareus · 26/09/2023 17:41

Ask the question, bonus if you get to sit together but don’t take offence if someone would rather not move 👍

IMustDoMoreExercise · 26/09/2023 17:46

I wouldn't mind unless there was someone tall in front of the new seat as I am short.

I would always ask someone to move and not worry if they said no.

There is no harm in asking.

ErrolTheDragon · 26/09/2023 17:47

If it’s a group of four then only one needs to move, either N8 into N12 or N11 into N7

Chances are it's 2x2 which reduces the likelihood of them all moving.

Fwiw in the location you describe I would, but in practice we usually choose an end of row pair anyway so aren't creating odd spaces.

ItsNotRocketSalad · 26/09/2023 17:50

Yep I would, no problem.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 26/09/2023 17:53

Sure, ask away.

As an aside - are we really this socially stunted now that we don't know if it's appropriate to ask a completely innocuous question?! The worst they can do is say no, in which case, just sit in your designated seats and meet at intermission.

Playaville · 26/09/2023 17:55

At least when you bought them you knew there was a chance you’d be sitting separately

FindingMeno · 26/09/2023 18:00

No problem, so long as there wasn't someone really tall sitting in front of that seat.

AlwaysPrettyOnTheInside · 26/09/2023 18:03

I would so long as we didn't lose an aisle seat.

I will only book if I can get the first two seats in the front row upper circle now, no actually, no, I wouldn't be able to.

mrssunshinexxx · 26/09/2023 18:04

Id buy the 4 people a drink and ask!

RedHelenB · 26/09/2023 18:04

literalviolence · 26/09/2023 17:26

I don't think I would. There will have been a reason why I chose the one I bought. Personally I think it's rude to ask. Can't you just sit separately? You can still catch up at the interval and before and after.

This.

Mangotango39 · 26/09/2023 18:07

I would - no issue. But the world is full of strange people sometimes....

CantFindTheBeat · 26/09/2023 18:12

I had this recently OP - a friend wanted to come to a comedy show last minute and there were only single seats available.

She did end up sitting near but not next to us. Didn't matter at all.

Comedy is great for watching on your own so I bet you have a great time.

SkinnyMalinkyLankyLegs · 26/09/2023 18:15

Probably not because the single seat that I was moving to would maybe have a single person who'd booked that seat and would be along later. If I'm understanding correctly.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/09/2023 18:17

If it made no difference to my view I would move. But you couldn't count on people moving - you would have to be wing it.

DinnaeFashYersel · 26/09/2023 18:18

I make a point of booking very early so I can select the specific seats that I want so I wouldn't move unless you were offering me a better seat.