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?

People have forgotten how not to be inconsiderate twats full stop I think. I wish that cinemas had signal jammers and no WiFi, it would make it a much better experience

Why do people need to eat all the way through a film?

I don't understand why cinemas refuse to do anything about it

Because the sort of people who think it is okay to talk loudly through a film are the same people who would verbally abuse you or threaten you with violence if you politely ask them to stop. Some 19 year old cinema worker is not going to become a defender of cinema etiquette for minimum wage.

Why do people need to eat all the way through a film?

As previous posters have said, it's been going on for years and it's not just for kids films, that is a bit more understandable as kids aren't generally known for being quiet and sitting still, but adults have no excuse, they're just selfish. Last thing I saw at the cinema was Bridget Jones Baby and I have no desire to return to the cinema for all the reasons people have mentioned.

This sort of behaviour has been going on for years - nothing to do with Covid.
I breathed a sigh of relief once DS was old enough to go and watch films by himself as I no longer had to tolerate the annoying behaviour of Joe Public in an enclosed space.
I think I've possibly been to the multiplex cinema twice in the last 13 years and that was in the daytime when it was quiet. I have no desire to go and watch a film at busy times.

Not strictly related but it even happens at concerts. I went to see Julien Baker in Glasgow and some knob was on his phone every 5 minutes checking WhatsApp, Googling shit and generally being a knob for the entire thing. If I'd been braver I'd have firmly tapped him on the shoulder and pointed at the stage. I could just about understand if you've been dragged to a film you didn't want to see but a funking concert. The mind boggles at some people's entitlement that checking their WhatsApp is more important than watching a concert.

It's been like this for a long time. I've stopped going to the cinema as I don't enjoy the experience. I just wait for the film to become available to buy online.

It's not the pandemic it's just people have got ruder
People have always talked in cinemas but today it seems they are doing alot worse.

Don't understand why the need to constantly eat either
Haven't been to the cinema for years now

How about a no phones policy in the cinema.

Why didn't u say something

It's a real issue but it's not just the cinema that demonstrates people's sense of entitlement. People even leave their phones on in Pilates or yoga classes and don't even go and turn them off when they're obviously bleeping. It's just so annoying.

It's just the way things are now. Cinemas have always been a pain especially if it's a showing where there are children. We gave up on the cinema and wait for the dvd or streaming to watch at home in comfort. There is now an 'old wrinklies' showing at a nearby cinema which is mid week morning and that's fine.

It's not just cinemas though it's general. People coming into the 'quiet' carriage and starting a phone conversation then taking exception when it's pointed out they shouldn't be using phones.

Concerts are terrible too. There's a mini festival near me where the bands tend to just be on for 60-80 minutes with no warm up acts, so not long at all. But people start getting up and moving around ten minutes in, disturbing everyone in the row. Why can't they get drinks beforehand or wait to go to the loo. It's not just one or two people, it's half the audience. Crazy...

How about a no phones policy in the cinema.

Well that would be the obvious thing, but sadly we have also seen during the pandemic that people consider following policies (or indeed laws) as optional and are likely to just ignore it. Literally blocking them from being able to use their devices would be more effective

Last thing I saw at the cinema was 2012. I took the kids and it puts me to sleep. So their dad takes them. I watch any films on the tv eventually. People ruining it for others is ridiculous. My youngest is asd and adhd will sit quietly through something he’s interested in otherwise we watch at home as it’s better for him and the rest of the cinema. Shame as it’s expensive for people to have it ruined by inconsiderate folk!

I think that studies have shown this; people are used to watching in their homes, where they chatter, get up constantly, play on their phones, etc. while watching. A friend told me that the last time she went, she heard a child ask his mother "Can you pause it?"

It's one reason that DH and I (retired and semi-retired) try to go to a matinee during the school year; Boomers like us who still know how to make that behavior shift from living room to the cinema.

DP won a £50 cineworld voucher at work at Xmas time so the last couple of times we’ve gone to the cinema we’ve splashed out for the 4DX screening which would have cost £12 a ticket if it hadn’t been for the voucher. The extra cost must keep the knobs away because we’ve had a brilliant time each time, and Top Gun with moving seats was incredible

I think it’s worse now. Or maybe I notice disruption more than I used to. The last time I went to the cinema a man was playing a game on his phone and didn’t even bother to turn the sound off. Luckily a woman sat behind him asked him quite sharply to turn it off and he did because I think he realised that the rest of us were ready to back her up if he kicked off.

Not just my cinema then.

To the PP who asked why I didn't say anything: I didn't want to wind anyone up and get into a confrontation, especially in front of my kids. You never know with people these days if they will take something well or not.

The last few times we went were to see Dune at the Manchester Imax (could hear a pin drop, packed cinema) and a special showing of Alien (Hanley, Stoke on Trent), again, very quiet, cinema full of sci-fi nerds.
I wonder if it's the type of film, the time of day and how soon after the film's release date perhaps? I remember going to see the Lego Movie 2 about a month after it had been released and it was fine despite there being quite a lot of kids in the cinema - Newcastle Under Lyme if it makes a difference and that film was terrible (IMO, too much singing!).

You never know if they will take it well if you say something but chances are they might pipe down, it's a risk worth taking

I have thought this for years.

Years ago there were always usherettes who would shush people who talked during the film (when I was a child I thought their name was because they hushed people)

Now they just play the sound track really loud and people think it is OK to talk at normal volume.

And don't get me started on the people who have to eat and drink non stop throughout

Agree that this is a problem, but not a new one. Solution. Go and see films that nobody else wants to see, and have cinema to yourself 😀

We once had to ask a group of kids to stop talking and shouting because they were just ruining it. Plus the lights from their phones was so distracting.