Is it wrong to leave the cinema to use the loo

[Vinteduser8]

Went to the strangers chapter one last night, I needed the loo about half an hour from the end so politely ask the people in the row with me if they could let me past. They said it was disturbing their movie. Is it wrong to think people should be able to use the loo during a movie?

Even my kids could manage 2 hours without needing the toilet. Surely it's only very small children or those with medical conditions that can't manage 2 hours

Most films these days are way longer than they need to be. I went out for a break during Planet of the Apes remake as I was bored and fancied a drink. Majority of blockbusters are 2hrs 30 minutes then there's 30 minutes of trailers and adverts in advance.

In ye olden days if the film was particularly long there would be an intermission. I remember being grateful for the respite during Schindlers list, but these days there isn't so it hardly seems end of the world if someone needs to go past for the loo.

Approximately 30% (1 in 3) women are left with urinary issues after childbirth- for example some level of incontinence or problems fully emptying their bladder meaning it fills up more quickly.

More than 1 in 3 men over 50 have prostate issues which lead to symptoms, one of which is frequent or urgent urination.

so not at all surprising that in a full cinema someone will need the loo- there aren’t enough aisle seats for everyone to sit in one.

People are so intolerant these days. There are so many reasons why someone might get caught short and need the loo. I don't I think I would ever be angry at someone for this, unless I saw them guzzling litres of coke or beer or something! Not everyone has a cast iron predictable bladder (or bowel) and can wait for a ridiculously long movie to end.

It is rather sad, but before going to the cinema, long car journeys, unknown toilet access etc, I now tend to deliberately dehydrate myself so not to have to use the loo. I have encountered several instances where toilet access has been extremely limited e.g. incredibly long hotel transfers whilst on holiday. Despite this, I would deem myself to have only a very slightly more sensitive than average bladder (history of UTIs) for a mid 30s woman and thankfully no acute urgency issues. What the hell are these cast iron bladder people doing and do they know how lucky they are? I assume they must either be chronically dehydrated or have the bladder capacity of a camel. However, it seems the general consensus is that it is normal?!

Again not everyone will need to sit in one just those that can't wait. 🤷‍♀️

Right, but what if there aren’t any free?

Then plan ahead..

@PopcornPop are you always so intolerant of people with medical issues? Vile.

Oh right, how exactly?

My DS 14yo isn't able to get through a film without using the loo so we always without fail get an aisle seat. If you don't have cast iron bladder control you should do likewise - or sit in the "extra leg room" section that some cinemas have so that yoi can pass without disturbing others. I agree it's really rude to disrupt other people's enjoyment of a film.

booking in advance? I'm not intolerant I already said I would never say anything about it but yes I would find it annoying but wouldn't comment.

Or you could sit at the front where you don't have to ask anyone to move, these are the less popular seats so are almost always available.

Of course it's not unreasonable, I've never thought twice about letting someone past to use the toilet and I rarely go during a film.

Ah ok- so you are advocating for a situation where disabled people have (even more) reduced access or are restricted to the worst seats…

So that you never have to be distracted from a film for a minute.

Thats ablist bullshit.

Yes, have you tried sitting in the front row? I booked last minute recently and the only seat available was the one next to the wheelchair accessible space in the front row (I was only allowed to book it as it was last minute and no one had booked the accessible space), I had to crane my neck upwards, the image was distorted, it is not a good film watching experience, people who have to use these seats are getting a poor deal.

In our cinema the aisle seats are all in the middle, because the steps go up the middle.

I've been to the cinema a few times lately and since I'm heavily pregnant and know I probably can't make it through without needing the loo I've booked an aisle seat every time. If there wasn't an aisle seat available I'd book front row of a section where nobody has to move / stand to let me out.

I often have to go mid film - we usually always have popcorn and a drink. But then we always buy end of row seats when we can to minimise disruption.

I've had people walk past me before and I've not said anything. That is more rude than someone needing to get up.

What if you were not enjoying the movie? Would you get up and leave midway through the movie? Or would you feel obligated to remain seated for the full duration?

A friend and I got up and left a movie midway because it was just an awful film. It was a sequel to another movie that we loved and we were looking forward to seeing it. Life’s too short to waste 2 hrs on a crap film.

I just don’t think it’s reasonable to expect people to feel obligated to remain in their seats. There are probably many reasons why people get up and leave. As long as they are not getting up and down repeatedly and are being mindful to be as minimally disruptive as possible it’s fine.

It would be ruder to wee on them. That would be your other option.

Pretty standard at every cinema I've been to for people to use the loo during. It doesn't disturb my watching, my eyes are on the screen

Blimey, people do get annoyed over small stuff! I couldn’t care less if someone had to get past me.