To ask people to move seats at the theatre

[Homemoans]

My 6-year son really wants to see a play of one of David Walliams on Saturday, the only seats they have left are on the front row but they are 5 seats apart. WIBU to buy the two tickets and ask the 5 people sat in between us to either move up or move down?

I think some people on here aren't experienced theatre-goers. Moving even one seat can alter the view significantly. TBH I wouldn't move and it's entitled behaviour to ask.

I feel very sorry for some people on this thread, truly. I've never encountered people like you! So negative in your outlook. It's actually made me feel really happy about the way I view life/treat others! I think the decent half on here need to feel quite proud of themselves!

And southeastdweller I am a very experienced theatregoer but in this case, the view is clearly not going to be altered negatively for anyone involved except the OP.

I love all the talk about empathy and kindness. Can some of that attitude be directed towards those of us who book specific seats for a reason well in advance.

It takes a lot for me to go to the theatre or cinema due to claustrophobia. It would ruin the experience if I'd had to say no to swapping seats as according to MN people would assume I was an awful person.

Don't ask, if you don't like the seats don't book, nobody is forcing you to go.

If the play is on Saturday you've left it too late. All the seats together are gone. Being a child is irrelevant. You can phone and ask if there are other seats or if there are likely to be sand by seats. I would never ask anyone to move in a theatre though, especially if they have a more central seat ie a better seat than you as is the case here.

If I was one of them I would move without a problem. But I wouldn't risk it just in case! They might be one of the many posters on here in which case it's a no!

Don't do it. If you are in charge of seating late comers in big theatres, one person in the wrong seat causes a god almighty disturbence.

That could be one group of people, it could be three smaller groups. One person could be late and we try to seat them but the seat's taken. Then FOH will be asking everyone to get tickets out and putting you in the right place. Audience members don't get shoved anywhere. It's very precise.

If you turn up after the other people have arrived and been seated, you might have someone like me who has an autistic child who won't move. Then I feel stressed because I look like a cunt and a flapping child who starts to feel stressed.

People pay for seats they want. If you don't want the seat you are buying then don't pay for it. Go to a different performance.

It's an upgrade because it is accepted that being closer to the centre rather than further to the side is better in theatre as it is a better view.

There may be a reason why you want aisle but no aisle seat is involved in this scenario it is a group of seats within a row.

With regards to friends and family I trust people but I am no fool and no walk over, I am aware of others faults and shortcomings as well as my own.

I think people do book certain seats for a reason, and you have to consider that; considering that, does show empathy. It could be someone with aspergers or autism who feels uncomfortable unless they sit in a particular seat. I have difficulties myself in feeling comfortable in public, and definitely pick certain seats in cinemas and planes, that I feel the happiest about. You have to be empathetic to prom who moving seats could cause them anxiety.

people not prom!

Tbf I wouldn't be able to recognise most of my neighbours as we keep ourselves private

Someone once tried to help me move a cabinet / total stranger. I was totally mortified and had to pretend I didnt actually need to move it.

We're friendly with most of our near neighbours, DP went and caught a spider for one of them once because she was freaking out about it. .
I've given another a lift when the roads were icy and I was driving by, we were going in the same direction.
Another neighbour gives us stuff from their allotment.

Ah that would be way too much for me - I would wonder why they were doing it

I'm scared of spiders but I once slept with one in my room as I wouldn't ask one of my housemates to sort it...

Of course you're not unreasonable and if they all move further into the middle they'll have a marginally better view.

Just thinking, DP helped a young woman get into her front door today, she'd got home and the postman had pushed something through the letterbox and it had jammed behind the door, he had a long grab stick in the back of his van, he's an electrician, he managed to dislodge it so the door was wide enough for her to squeeze in and move it.
She'd all her shopping and was in a bit of a state.
He was working next door, she was a stranger.

Why they were doing what Livia?

I would move if you asked me to, I don't know anyone that wouldn't.

Oh I see, didn't read properly, not doing it for anything just to be helpful and if you *can help then why not?

Of couse only one person actually needs to move though. A person from either end just moves to the other end if people are adament they shall not be moved. Dunno why you wouldn't move to allow a child to see a play and rather they miss out!

But it's the parent whose responsibility it is to ensure the child doesn't miss out by booking tickets...

If someone offers to move out of the goodness of their heart then great but the OP can't go round asking people unless she is happy to be considered to be taking the piss

I think I can be helpful, but I don't like the idea that adults should have to move out of their chosen seats for a child. Maybe it's because I'm generation X and we weren't really treated like little princes and princesses.

I like my girls to be able to fun stuff , but I would never expect an adult to give up a seat for them. I don't think that adults should be asked to move for children; it's just not polite.

My husband makes people move out of seats in the cinema that he has booked; I'm not usually that brave!

NewPapaGuine So you would be happy to not sit next to your DCs, so a stranger can sit next to her DS?

I reckon the ones who would point blank refuse to switch seats so a mother can sit next to her little boy just coz they don't HAVE to, are the same type who would drive a 10 mile round trip to the shops to demand 10p that the shop assistant shortchanged them. And they would demand a refund for the slightest petty little thing that they deem as wrong or unsuitable. And they would carry 25 items in their pocket and handbag before paying 5p for a bag. And they would report someone sneakily for a slight misdemeanour that most people wouldn't bother reporting, (like a fellow employee on a ciggie break that they weren't meant to be having, or someone using the internet or their mobile phone in works time.)

They probably live for opportunities to make peoples lives just a little bit more miserable. They probably rub their hands with glee when people regain the weight they lost, or if someone goes bankrupt, or has their home repossessed, or if they find out someone's husband is having an affair. They probably revel in telling kids Santa's not real. They probably pop kids footballs with knives when they get kicked over into their gardens.

They probably scoff at people who cry at sad movies, or who buy soppy cards for their partner or spouse, or who go to the beach and build sandcastles, or go to a kids film, or to Disneyland without kids. They probably laugh at anyone over the age of 15 who likes Justin Bieber or One Direction. Grumpy, miserable, negative, curmudgeons.

I could be totally wrong of course.

And yes I would absolutely swap to let the OP sit next to her little boy. Anyone with an ounce of compassion and decency would. Thank F most people are not like some people on this thread!!!