To Find this Woman in the Cinema Rude

[LessMissAbs]

Me and my friend were watching a film in the cinema tonight. She doesn't wear a watch and must have been checking her phone for the time - its a habit of hers to do this, or to ask people the time. I was sitting next to her and I didn't notice it.

There was an empty seat to her other side between her and a woman. The woman suddenly boomed out in the middle of the film, "If you want to play your phone, you can go outside and do it instead of in here".

It was mortifying, and she interrupted the film for me. I was really embarrassed for my friend, but we didn't say anything.

At the end of the film, as we were standing up to leave, I said to the woman "I don't really care if you were disturbed by a light during the film or not, I don't want to have to the film interrupted by your booming voice". She then started arguing back (she said something like "Oh you'd like to be a cheeky one, wouldn't you, and some other stuff) but we turned our backs towards her and her husband so that she was talking to ourselves, put on our coats and left.

Kind of ruined the film for both of us. Normally I find going to the cinema relaxing!

I must be dense. I would never presume to have words with a stranger for checking the time on their mobile in the cinema. I think this is incredibly weird.

But I haven't read the whole thread

Sometimes people get hysterical about manners in a bid to show they're incredibly well-mannered. This seems like a case in point.

Oh NO, sorry forgot. The booming bawling sentence from Brian just spoiled the whole film.

Caitlin don't worry I won't be flashing my phone screen for a millisec to check my child is OK anywhere you now. I live in the back of beyond so only have the fabulous awful Dunfermline Odeon.

only went to the Filmhouse because it was free and it had good nachos in the bar

People coming to their seats after you really isn't a big deal, is it?

No harold it isn't. My mum and I always got in in good time to get our seats and stayed until the lights came up. She just liked to sort herself out at the beginning and then check that she had everything at the end and avoid the crush for the loos.

It was mildly irritating when people walked in front of us a few minutes after the film started and then charged for the exits at the end. But no harm done.

Going to the cinema is a collective experience; now more than ever.

My mum was of the generation who watched their news in between Clark Gable features and a pall of cigarette smoke.

I'm not defending anti-social behaviour and I'm not entirely sure I'd be happy with OP's friend - I'd have to be there.

But if you don't like watching a film with other people and their annoying habits there's always NetFlix.

Crowler

Some people aren't bothered by things

Some are, and have a word about it

Some quietly seethe and then have a go at the perpetrator an hour or so later and then write about it on MN

There's definitely a chain which runs a " still time to get a coke " ad. I can't remember if it's Vue or Iden.

Oh, and some boom

Crowler. Yes, exactly.

Sometimes people get hysterical about manners in a bid to show they're incredibly well-mannered. This seems like a case in point

YY crowler

Odeon . Phone is inventing words.

Sure, but it's not wise to vent as freely with strangers as you would someone you know. Venting is as much about building a stronger relationship as it is the grievance.

Makes no sense to me.

Take it however you want sweetie .

I was so amazed by the vitriol directed at the OP in this thread that I ran the story past a couple of people in real life to see what they thought. They ALL thought the bawling woman overreacted ridiculously, and they all agreed that someone checking their phone occaisonally was such a trivial annoyance that they would take absolutely no notice. And by the way, my cinema does NOT tell people to turn their mobiles off. It ASKS them to put it on silent. I think most of you posters seem to be aggressive nutters and I hope I never meet any of you on a dark night.

I think inspace has summed it all up quite nicely.

I am well and truly confused. Are there people who feel that it is rude to check their mobile phone for the time in the cinema?

God your so bloody annoying to be honest I never met someone so stupid, arrogant, self centered and add any manner of other adjectives here

lilMissSunshine you sound truly charming

Yes Crowler. There are, many many people that do.

Do those of you who think you have a valid reason for thinking "switch your phone off " does not apply to you keep your phones on in a cinema do the same in theatres? At concerts? Opera? Ballet? I've asked a couple of times but not had an answer.

InSpace

A couple of people you know aren't annoyed by it. A couple of people I know are.

I agree about the no need for aggression thing though.

I think I luffs you inspace

Wow Harold.

I actually am but since OP refuses to answer a simple yes or no question, extrapolates every response and takes into a completely different direction you suddenly find you lose your charm.

Crowler there are people who think it is anti-social behaviour and on a par with running red traffic lights.

Agree with the others. I inadvertently did this once - didn't realise that the phone screen light was irritating other moviegoers - I got a right telling off and won't do it again.