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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask your views on noise in the cinema

147 replies

missbonita · 30/04/2018 15:39

I have been discussing this with friends today after DS was incredibly angry that 2 young children talked loudly throughout the Avengers last night.

There is also a story in some of the papers today about a woman with Aspergers being 'dragged' out of the cinema for laughing loudly during The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

On the one hand it seems discriminatory to restrict access to people with certain disabilities from the cinema, on the other the people who have paid should be able to enjoy the film.

WIBU the noisy person, even if it is beyond their control, or the intolerant person even if the noise is spoiling their viewing.

OP posts:
Original poster
missbonita · 30/04/2018 16:38

The BFI have apologised and stated they were wrong to remove the woman who was laughing loudly from the cinema, it seems that people are outraged in either case.

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MetalMidget · 30/04/2018 16:42

I loathe excess noise in the cinema, so I tend to book half a day off work when there's a film I really want to see. Quieter than an evening showing, and a hell of a lot quieter than a weekend showing when there might be kids.

Aethelthryth · 30/04/2018 16:47

I'd ban eating and drinking in the cinema: that would eliminate the scuffling and scrunching and slurping. Even more so at the theatre

Flutist · 30/04/2018 16:48

The news said the lady with Aspergers was laughing hysterically at the loudest volume possible and had also been shouting out loud. There were multiple complaints and she was asked to keep it down about four times but failed to do so, so she was asked to leave as she was disrupting the film. When she refused to leave she was removed, and it was only at that point that she disclosed her disability. So it's not exactly as simple as "disabled woman is dragged out for laughing loudly".

Personally I'd expect a person who was repeatedly making noise and being disruptive to be removed, regardless of whether they're disabled or not. Imo a disability isn't an excuse for ruining it for everyone else who has paid money to be there. Cinemas regularly have "relaxed" screenings to accommodate people who aren't able to be quiet.

SadieHH · 30/04/2018 16:51

I only go to silver cinema or kids cinema and pay a max of £3 each so I don't really care about noise.

Sirzy · 30/04/2018 16:52

Cinemas really are stuck between a rock and a hard place on this one aren’t they

Original poster
missbonita · 30/04/2018 16:52

I agree that it isn't a simple issue - it's one persons rights to enjoyment (seeing a film) vs another (watching it quietly).

The parents of the kids behind us were very odd. Don't want to do any spoilers so being careful but why take such young kids to a film they can't understand then lie to them about the ending (and so LOUDLY!)

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IIIustriouslyIllogical · 30/04/2018 16:56

At the end of the day, it's about numbers.

The number of people wanting to actually watch & enjoy the film they've paid for will (hopefully) be greater than those that won't or can't watch it appropriately.

Thus the noisy people should be removed, end of.

ILikeMyChickenFried · 30/04/2018 16:57

Kicking a child's chair and throwing sweet wrappers at him is quite a step up from a bit of quiet chatter. I am not surprised you were put out

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 30/04/2018 16:58

My pet hate in cinemas is people using their phones

ILikeMyChickenFried · 30/04/2018 17:01

Yes, the light is far more distracting, especially if they're sat a bit away from you

Urubu · 30/04/2018 17:04

I agree that it isn't a simple issue - it's one persons rights to enjoyment (seeing a film) vs another (watching it quietly
Except it is one persons right to enjoyment vs tens of other persons right to enjoyment - if you assume that excessive noise spoils the enjoyment.
As usual with cases like this, the question is what could a reasonable adjustment be? Relaxed screening might be but maybe there are other alternatives?

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 30/04/2018 17:07

I have complained to staff at our local cinema because of noisy teens and would do it again. At a kids film I would expect noise. If the film was a 12 and small children were making a noise I would be irritated but probably wouldn't complain if I felt the parents were being considerate/trying to keep them quiet.

Redandwhiteteacher · 30/04/2018 17:15

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ILikeMyChickenFried · 30/04/2018 17:16

Are adults not even able tonsit through a film without getting up for the loo?!!

Original poster
missbonita · 30/04/2018 17:22

I completely agree but have a lot of sympathy in the case of people with disabilities. It does seem that these days trial by twitter means many cafes/cinemas other places apologise for asking customers to leave soon afterwards - I wonder if this then gives inconsiderate people the go ahead to carry on behaving badly?

When we went to a theatre production of the TWITS a man was very agitated and repeatedly shouted at children to 'Be Quiet" and 'Shut Up" - but it was a raucous slapstick comedy with screaming and shouting throughout - the kids were very excited. Eventually the man was asked to leave. He seemed to have learning difficulties and I felt for him, but it was a noisy show and he was the one out of step.
It's complicated.

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Slartybartfast · 30/04/2018 17:24

Someone was sitting next to me reading the subtitles, only part of the film, out loud to the woman next to him!
I spose I should have complained at the time. It was totally unnecessary i thought, he said she was blind.
Perhaps she coudnt read, but he made no attempt to lower his voice.

FixItUpChappie · 30/04/2018 17:30

the family behind us actually started watching a different film on an ipad.

That is next level self absorption Shock

lonelyexpat · 30/04/2018 17:34

I'm a Brit living in India and was shocked when we first went to the movies. Everyone here shouts, laughs, we even have an intermission half way through. I love it! The atmosphere is incredible especially when its an action movie like The Avengers. But nobody is ever disruptive. Kids behave, people usually wait for the intermission to check their phones, get more snacks, have a toilet break etc.

Original poster
missbonita · 30/04/2018 17:35

FixIt - it was actually scary - they were being provocative, changed seats 4-5 times, on phones, shouting, eventually started watching a different film. When I complained tickets refunded and staff said it was their policy not to intervene. We just left immediately as it was intimidating and I was worried about what might happen when we left :(

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Sparkletastic · 30/04/2018 17:38

I like the sniper idea.

Original poster
missbonita · 30/04/2018 17:47

This made me laugh. Bad language alert Grin
theoatmeal.com/comics/movie_theater_layout

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Magicstar1 · 30/04/2018 17:50

I remember watching Titanic and there were a row of boys behind me making smart remarks for a few minutes. I was on a first date, and still turned around, tears streaming down my face and and told them to "Shut the fuck up or I'll come back there" We had silence for the rest of the movie.
I've no problem telling people to get off the phone, or stop talking etc.

Pleasebeafleabite · 30/04/2018 17:58

Me neither magic I’d rather let rip then spend the whole film wound up

Mobiles are my pet hate although i do think cinemas are getting better in encouraging switch off and courtesy to others

I think as said upthread it’s a costly business these days so it needs to become a better experience

runningtogetskinny · 30/04/2018 17:59

I have told people to be quiet in the cinema on MANY occasions, I've paid to watch and hear the film not listen to their crap! No one has ever argued back, they've either shut up or left. I work with Looked After teenagers so am not phased by cinema chatterers! The upside of working shifts is I often go to the cinema on my own during the day when the annoying people are mostly at school or work Grin