To think that people have forgotten basic cinema etiquette.

[HelloThereObiWan]

I've noticed that since the pandemic people seem to have forgotten basic cinema etiquette and it seems to be getting worse.

I went to see Lightyear today. I know, I know, it's a kid's movie and some chatter, trips to the toilet etc is to be expected for these showings but we had a child in our row talking loudly throughout the performance with no attempt by the parents to shush her. Other children kept getting up to walk around, multiple people got up to go and get more snacks (it's not a long movie for crying out loud how much sugar do you need?) plus a general low level of chatter throughout. At one point someone's phone rang loudly. The child behind me kept kicking my chair and quite a few people turned up late.

It wasn't just today though, I've been to other showings recently that are less child focused and I still had people getting up repeatedly, talking, using their phones, coming in after the trailers have done and dusted and the film had been running for ten minutes, chatting away to their mates etc.

Is it just my local cinema that's shit or are they all like this now?

It was the same pre pandemic tbh.
I actually saw a parent sat on an iPad playing games whilst sitting with their older children in our cinema. So much for a ‘family’ trip to the cinema!

I’ve also had adults talk the whole way through a film I took DC to, they were a couple of rows behind so I would have had to get up to ask them to be quiet, which would have bothered my DC. So rude though.

Yes, but I think as suggested it is not new. Mobile devices are the main reason I think.

It's a shame because I have always loved the cinema since I was a child and my local cinema is actually a lovely independent one, so I'd like to support it. However, I now get more enjoyment waiting for the film to come out on streaming services to watch in the peace and quiet of my own home!

I voted YANBU as I do think there are far too many people in society that just have no regard for the comfort of people around them.

OTOH, it isn't just since the pandemic. This has sadly been heading this way for a long time.

Yep and it’s really put me off going to the cinema. I went to see Jurassic World last week and the child next to me talked the whole way through, it took half an hour for his mother to tell him to be quiet but he didn’t stop. Then he got his phone out and played on that, then she started texting people and had the brightest screen. And then finally her phone rang! The cinema is bloody expensive for what it is and you can’t even enjoy the film you’ve paid to see.

Cinema etiquette went down the toilet way before the pandemic. Taking phone calls, loud chatter, feet up on seats, slurping drinks and general fuckwittery. I would rather pay dee extra quid and go to the private cinema where behaviour is a bit better.

Hell is other people. Too many people think that because they've paid they are entitled to act as though the cinema/theatre, etc is an extension of their living room.

I've noticed this pre pandemic. People just don't care. Each time I've gone in recent years there's been chatting, phone checking etc etc.

I had to say something to a big burly man sitting beside me through Joker who checked his emails on his phone every 5 mins, really ruined the film for me until I finally plucked up the courage to say quit it.

That's exactly it - an extension of their living room.

It's not just the cinema. It's trains, restaurants, etc. I don't blame kids - it's adults who are so self-centred that they don't bother to think about how their loud voices or whatever might impact on the other people around. I'm sick of being forced to listen to loud people on trains or in cafes.

I remember going to Finding Nemo in the cinema almost 20 years ago at this point and had the exact same experience you just described

We went to see the new Jurassic film and there was a family behind who continually got up for drinks and going to the toilet. Really annoying.

I don't understand why cinemas refuse to do anything about it, fewer and fewer people are going to the cinema every year and this is one of the main reasons why. Zero tolerance should be announced at the start of the movie and enforced vigorously. These are the rules, and if you break them, you're out and barred from that chain for life, no refunds, no exceptions. If you don't trust yourself to follow the rules, leave the cinema now.

I don’t like going to the cinema anymore. Half the people turn up just as the film is starting which I find distracting. Lots of checking phones, loudly eating food. It just isn’t a pleasant experience. I agree with those who have said there is a general lack of consideration for others in some people that seems to be growing. The cinema is just one place where you can see this clearly.

Nothing new at my local. Before covid we witnessed a whole break up happening. The boyfriend walked out so she phoned him up had a argument on the phone with him. He came back in sat at the end of the row and then if carried on. Eventually a staff member did come in and got rid but still...went on for quite a while!

Then at Jurrasic last week some man also having a phone conversation. Luckily the sound was loud so couldn't hear it as much but every now and then.. why pay all that money?! And why not consider people around you.

People are generally knobs, I fear. We have an Odeon Luxe near us, it's brilliant as the knobs are further away. (Yes, I am rather grumpy this evening, I admit.)

We go to the cinema a lot because we have odeon limitless. Stuff like this happens all the time. I have taken to just asking people to be quiet. We went to see The Lost City a few weeks ago which is rated 12a. There was a child of about 8 and her mum sat a few seats down our row who were chatting through the whole thing. I couldn't understand why anyone would take their 8yo to a romcom that she probably wouldn't understand, or why they'd chat with them while it was on. The mum also kept checking her phone too. So irritating.

It’s not just cinemas and I don’t think just the pandemic is to blame.

I have noticed this too

Rustling food packets ALL the way through the film

Burping

Up and down to the loo

Talking

People have realised they are in public

Not realised

I've noticed the same, but with adults!
I would go to the cinema quite frequently, but since the pandemic manners and etiquette have definitely flown out the window I think. Loud popcorn munching, rustling packets, talking, phone screens lit up etc.

I go and ask for my money back when this happens, it's so bloody rude.

I hardly go to the cinema now for this reason. Or, if I do go, I pick a super early showing a few weeks after a film has opened so it will be quiet. I don't know if people have got worse or if I have got grumpier. Or both.

As far as I'm aware this has always been the case, not phones before they were a thing but loudly eating sweets, putting feet on the backs of the chairs, talking through the film, etc.

go to a picturehouse or independent cinema, they're much nicer places, with more respectful clientele.

I sat in the local cinema trying to watch a film while a man in his 40s/50s ate his way through several individually wrapped pork pies. I have rarely hated anyone quite so much