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Original poster

People using phones in cinema

54 replies

username112 · 02/08/2021 07:28

Went to see a film yesterday, at least 3 people in there were checking their phones regularly throughout the film

What has happened to people that they now can't sit and watch 2 hr film without getting their phone out every 15 minutes and checking FB etc? Seriously?!?

It winds me up so much and its so distracting from the film

Just to add I have no problems with telling people in my immediate area to put their phone away (and I do regularly!!!) but these were spread out further down.Which I guess makes a change as I'm usually like a magnet and they end up sitting next to me Angry

OP posts:
CandidaAlbicans2 · 02/08/2021 08:17

YANBU, I hate it too, and is one reason I stopped going to the cinema. Just because they aren't making a noise doesn't mean they aren't causing a distraction as my eye is drawn to a sudden light in an otherwise dark auditorium. The people who do this are either ignorant and don't realise this, or are selfish, but either way I wish cinemas would have a phones not to be removed from pockets/bags policy (or something similar to stop people looking at their damned screens).

CandidaAlbicans2 · 02/08/2021 08:20

...and if people really must check their phones for some reason, then at least have them on night time mode if possible.

drspouse · 02/08/2021 08:20

I was at the back the other day (one other family in the whole cinema) and I texted DH once at the start to say we'd missed the horribly loud ads (DS has SEN and hates them) and once to say we were just leaving to come home (as I needed a quick turnaround to meet a friend later). Not "glued" to it and I could have waited to tell him but it was easier to do it then and there.

drspouse · 02/08/2021 08:21

(We only do this if at the back, or if an emergency e.g. sick DC).

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 02/08/2021 08:22

Last DH and I went to the cinema (in2019... feels so long ago!) We turned our phones on afterwards to find dozens of missed calls from PILs who were looking after DDs... they were locked out of the house.

Checking for FB updates and MNing...unreasonable. But I do think sometimes people have legitimate reasons for not wanting to be completely out of contact (On Call, or babysitters for example)

Sparklesocks · 02/08/2021 08:37

Yes I think it’s bad manners. A cinema isn’t the same as your front room so you shouldn’t be sitting there idly scrolling.

I remember once I was watching a film and the bloke next to me started flicking through photos on his phone. Clearly if the film has lost your attention that badly you should just leave?

Understand if you might need to check for missed calls etc but in that case you should sit near the back and do it without disturbing other people.

MrsSkylerWhite · 02/08/2021 08:41

YANBU.
If people legitimately need to check their phones, leave the auditorium to do so.

whoami24601 · 02/08/2021 08:46

Omg yes! We went to the cinema at the weekend for the first time since Pre-Covid and a young girl actually answered her phone when it rang and disturbed the film! We were Shock Add to that the four groups of teenagers that chatted pretty much the whole way through and honestly I don't think I'll bother in future.

InpatientGardener · 02/08/2021 08:50

Yes this winds me up. DP and I went to watch Toy Story pre kids and the man next to us with his kids was on his phone the entire film. Thought it a bit sad because presumably he wouldn't be able to then talk to the kids about the film after plus it was really distracting. Then there was the time a man actually answered his phone in a quiet bit of a film but several people shouted at him to shut up..bizarre behaviour.

lynsey91 · 02/08/2021 09:02

I have been in the cinema when someone answered their phone and then proceeded to have a fairly long and loud conversation!

Me and DH love going to the cinema but so many times it is ruined by people on phones, people talking, people making loads of noise with their food.

Plus don't get me started on people that keep needing to go out of the cinema and people in their row have to get and and down to let them through. At least that isn't happening at the moment as people are having to sit in different rows.

I can't believe that it is so difficult to sit for 2 hours and not eat, talk, use your phone or need the loo. If you have something wrong that means you can't go 2 hours without needing the loo then for goodness sake use your brain and sit on an aisle seat

Scarby9 · 02/08/2021 09:06

The last time I went to the cinema (pre-pandemic), my friend was on the end of the row, with me next in. The cinema was full.

The woman on my left had her phone out through the adverts, through the trailers, and through the 'put your phone on silent and don't talk or text' Alfred Hitchcock announcement.

I glared at her. I looked pointedly at the glowing rectangle. I tried to ignore it.

10 minutes in, she says 'Excuse me' and my friend and I have to move to let her out. 5 mins of peace watching the film before she returns. Back with the phone.

I whisper, 'Please put your phone away - it's distracting'. She whispers back 'Sorry, I can't'.

5 minutes later we have to move to let her out again, and this time she starts talking at normal volume on her phone before she has left the auditorium, so lots of people turn round and effectively tut.

Back again and I hissed 'PLEASE put your phone away!' She replied, 'I'm on call' and didn't put the phone away but kind of slid it down between her and the man she was with so it was less visible.

5 minutes later, we have to move again, and she starts a phonecall again as she leaves the auditorium.

This time she didn't return.

At the end of the film, I sid to the man, who hadn't moved or looked remotely bothered, 'Is she okay?'

'Oh yes,' he said, breezily.'She's a doctor and she's on call. She rarely sees a full film'.

Why would any doctor on call go to see the cinema, and clearly on a regular basis, and even if she did think that was reasonable (which it isn't!), book an internal seat?

I was so cross, and that experience, together with the perpetual crisp eaters at my previous visit, completely put me off going to the cinema, even post-pandemic.

ActonSquirrel · 02/08/2021 09:08

@MrsSkylerWhite

YANBU. If people legitimately need to check their phones, leave the auditorium to do so.
So making people get up to let you past and your head obscuring the screen and opening the door and coming back in and doing it again is less disruptive than lighting your phone screen for a legitimate reason?

Gosh people have funny ideas.

JillsFlapjacks · 02/08/2021 09:14

If I felt I had to check my phone a lot I'd either not go to the film, or sit out of the way of others (at the side seats, rather than the main area, in at the wall) and have it on lowest light night mode. But most of the people I've noticed who are on their phone in the cinema have no concern for anyone else's enjoyment of the film. It's very selfish. The cinema isn't a cheap trip out!

ActonSquirrel · 02/08/2021 09:18

On the occasions I had to check my phone...I put my jacket over my front and looked at the phone underneath the jacket. There are ways.

GreenTortoise · 02/08/2021 09:19

@whoami24601

Omg yes! We went to the cinema at the weekend for the first time since Pre-Covid and a young girl actually answered her phone when it rang and disturbed the film! We were Shock Add to that the four groups of teenagers that chatted pretty much the whole way through and honestly I don't think I'll bother in future.
Corr, that was an unfortunate trip to the cinema with a young girl answering her phone then four groups of teenagers all talking loudly.
GreenTortoise · 02/08/2021 09:21

You can't police other people's phone. As long as the brightness is somewhat down then who cares. They could've found the film utter shite so went on their phone.

sociallydistained · 02/08/2021 09:24

I agree with you I went to the cinema last night with two friends. One checked her phone throughout. Even scrolling Instagram. I doubt she followed the plot of the film? The other checked occasionally. I had mine on silent and didn’t look through the whole thing, why would I.
I wanted to say something but is it really my place? I wasn’t annoyed by the phone as it wasn’t distracting me personally but I was annoyed she was missing out on what I was seeing lol.

We also watched two films back to backs. I loved the entire evening being in another world and away from my phone!

By the way would totally recommend The Suicide Squad (only if you can stand gore!) it was hilarious! Old, on the other hand was hilarious for all the wrong reasons Grin

PortMerrionCentre · 02/08/2021 09:24

lighting your phone screen for a legitimate reason?

There are no legitimate reasons for using a phone during a film

thanksforyourcommentrandomman · 02/08/2021 09:26

@GreenTortoise

You can't police other people's phone. As long as the brightness is somewhat down then who cares. They could've found the film utter shite so went on their phone.
Or they could have left if they found the film utter shite instead of causing a distraction for others.

And most phones have a vibrate option now don't they, just put your phone on silent but on vibrate then you won't miss any urgent calls

ActonSquirrel · 02/08/2021 09:27

@PortMerrionCentre

lighting your phone screen for a legitimate reason?

There are no legitimate reasons for using a phone during a film

There are no legitimate reasons for eating during a film either ...
NekoShiro · 02/08/2021 09:27

The general public is exactly why I never took up cinema as an adult hobby, over priced to just get ruined by someone else, children screaming, phone flashes, people fucking, cinemas need to actually improve the cinema viewing experience not just add bigger chairs and louder speakers.

Sparklesocks · 02/08/2021 09:29

@GreenTortoise

You can't police other people's phone. As long as the brightness is somewhat down then who cares. They could've found the film utter shite so went on their phone.
If the film is that awful (and you’re not with kids etc) then why not leave? Seems silly to sit there on your phone to endure something you’re not interested in, and to distract other people with your phone light in the process.
PattyPan · 02/08/2021 09:51

I agree, it’s so distracting. They mean it when they say turn off your phone!
I have walked out on rubbish films before, I wouldn’t just go on my phone instead, so selfish.

BananaMilkshakeWithCream · 02/08/2021 09:57

I totally agree but I can go one better. We were on Hex at Alton Towers recently. For anyone that’s never been on it, it’s a ride that relies on an optical illusion to make you think you’re going upside down with loads of creepy music and talking. Anyway, not once but TWICE the ride operator had to turn the lights back on to tell some absolute morons to stop using their phones (the recording before the ride specifically says you can’t use your phone) It totally ruined the atmosphere and the ride and I was fuming with the twats 😡

CounsellorTroi · 02/08/2021 10:01

YANBU, and it’s even worse in theatres

nation.cymru/news/michael-sheen-stops-performance-of-under-milk-wood-because-of-phone-interruptions/

Good on Michael Sheen.