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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask people to move seats at the theatre

633 replies

Homemoans · 06/06/2017 15:48

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?

To ask people to move seats at the theatre
OP posts:
ExPresidents · 07/06/2017 14:38

You do seem a naturally cheery and upbeat person livia it beams out from your posts Grin

I hope your current euphoria at life continues, unmolested by any strangers daring to address you uninvited.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 14:39

Ah sarcasm... the go to position of the kind person.

I get it, you don't agree with me.

StarHeartDiamond · 07/06/2017 14:42

Wading into the anxiety issue here:

There are people who don't suffer from anxiety in general. But there are those (like me) who would feel very uncomfortable if I was asked to do something like move seats, and I didn't want to so said No.

I would then feel like I had to sit next to someone who was possibly seething at me for saying No, for the whole performance. Not to mention worrying what eavesdroppers thought of you. I hate people sitting behind me personally, studying my hair (I hate my hair, it's a sore point for me). So to think they might be noticing/looking at the back of my head and thinking I'm a cow for saying No would make me all tense and uncomfortable. That would spoil the evening.

I don't think you should book something on the basis that it will only be really great if people move seats. I think the only way you could ask is with a predisosure that there was absolutely no pressure for the people to do so and then if one (or more) said No them to not make them feel bad about it - you should reassure them that it was just a quick ask but no worries.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 14:44

And Star has summed up the situation far better than I.

Surely knowing you won't annoy someone (ie leaving them alone) trumps the possibility of upsetting someone?

MidsummerMoo · 07/06/2017 14:47

The more I read on here (so I probably shouldn't) there more I realise that I'm a very anxious person and the things I dwell on other people really don't.

I know of theatres that don't allow bookings which leave single seats spread about.

Neither of these things helps thread, sorry.

stuckin90s · 07/06/2017 14:56

I think willing to do kind things and helping people has nothing to do with whether you would be happy to move seats. I would think it wasn't very kind of you to book seats knowing they weren't the ones you wanted, and then assume people will move. I have offered my seat on public transport etc, but people who assume you will move out of a booked seat are being rude.

NavyandWhite · 07/06/2017 15:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ArtemisiaGentilleschi · 07/06/2017 15:00

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

stuckin90s · 07/06/2017 15:06

Yes but lots of us don't actually like saying no, even if we want to, because we would worry about the reaction of others around. It's not going to be so awful if the child misses out on the trip. Why would you want to make people feel uncomfortable.

ExPresidents · 07/06/2017 15:08

You seem unhappy artemisia.

Perhaps try doing a stranger a small favour, see if it cheers you up.

NavyandWhite · 07/06/2017 15:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

stuckin90s · 07/06/2017 15:12

And it's not necessary; in that situation, just don't book.

NavyandWhite · 07/06/2017 15:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 15:24

Wow Ex - aren't you kind and pleasant Hmm

If being helpful turns you like that, I'm happy not to be.

WHY is it unfair not to book? I can't book tickets if I can't get the appropriate seats. Why is the OP an exception?

ExPresidents · 07/06/2017 15:30

You are happy aren't you Livia, as you've already said. How nice!

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 15:30

The posters who are snarky and sarcastic are the ones who claim to be nice and helpful

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 15:30

Okay Ex you are getting worked up now.

ExPresidents · 07/06/2017 15:31

It's almost unbelievable isn't it? I can't imagine why.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 15:35

Nobody has had a go at you - not sure why the sarcasm really

ExPresidents · 07/06/2017 15:39

I beg to differ. You can't see artemisia post any longer as it's been deleted but I assure you it was having a go at me.

As is yours above.

Who said I was being sarcastic? You say you're happy. I'm sure you are.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 15:41

I did see it.

I'm not having a go - we are different kinds of people. It doesn't make anyone better or worse so some of the comments have been uncalled for

NavyandWhite · 07/06/2017 15:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ExPresidents · 07/06/2017 15:43

If you saw it, I can't understand your post saying 'nobody has had a go at you'

But yes we are different kinds of people.

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 07/06/2017 15:45

No of course not. It's unfair to book if you intend asking someone to move. If you can put up with the seating as booked then of course you can book

stuckin90s · 07/06/2017 15:48

Well if I couldn't book a seat next to my girls; I wouldn't book , because you can't go expecting people to move; and we rarely get the treat of visiting the theatre, so I would book something else.