Cinema stopping kids in suits from coming in - Minions

[jackstini]

DS & his friend (both 13) had tickets this pm for Minions, Rise of Gru

Like lots of people per TikTok, they dressed up in suits/ties - just for fun
Got to cinema and were told they couldn't come in because of what they were wearing

DS called me upset and DH went down to see if he could sort it. Found 5 grown men standing over them and a few other kids, shouting at them that they needed to leave and they were not allowed in. Kids felt very intimidated

No dress code visible in the cinema or on the website

DH asked if they had misbehaved and was told no, we just don't like this suit thing as some of the people on TikTok have kicked off
DH pointed out, they hadn't kicked off, just wanted to watch the film, so what was the problem. Stoney silence
He took them outside, took their jackets & ties off & they went back in 5 minutes later and were admitted by a different member of staff

Is it just me or is this ridiculous? And pathetic for them to treat kids like that

I really want to complain but wanted the MN population to vote on if you think they were BU or not

YANBU - cinema staff were out of order & I should complain
YABU - don't complain

I took my dc to see this movie today and also wondered why there were some teens dressed in suits and ties. They were all exceptionally well behaved throughout the film and clapped at the end.

We’ve been to see it this afternoon. I overheard the manager telling staff if anyone turns up in suits, refuse them entry.

There we’re several groups of rowdy lads in ours. Unluckily for them we were sat with a couple of their form tutors, so they soon calmed down and stopped playing rugby with a banana and doing push-ups at the front they did get all the littlies clapping and cheering at the beginning and end though which was cute

To the poster that asked if these kids are causing a disruption just to ask them to leave.

Ejecting a misbehaving patron is a pain in the arse. Without fail, there’ll be a bloody argument where disruptive patron will believe that there is some reason why their behaviour is not pissing everyone off. And they’ve plaid to be in there don’t you know! Which further disrupts the viewing for the other customers.
Then you’ll be back to offering comps to everyone else.

As lovely & well trained as your staff will talk to them, they’ll argue back. I served my time on the flip seat of destiny up the back as an usher, people believe they have paid, thus they can do what they bloody will like. Add in the fact that these are kids in groups & that arguing & further disruption escalates & then everyone in the bloody screen is disrupted.

As a projectionist, I’ve had to stop a film due to an usherette being attacked by a group of teens who were asked to quieten down. She was in her 60s! And we suspended the showing to wait for the Police to arrive in the end.

As an ex-duty manager, sometimes you have to make the call to stop any trouble before it starts. And that’s what this cinema manager has done.

It’s not an interactive experience like The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Then, all bets (within reason) are off (and fabulously enjoyable as a patron or staff in my experience).

Did you never question why your kids would suddenly want to ‘dress up nicely in a suit’ to see a kids film?

Our local cinema was carnage last night with screaming teenagers throwing popcorn everywhere inside and out. The staff were completely overwhelmed with it all.

You honestly think the general young staff if a cinema can actually physically make people leave?

I'm with the cinema on this one. You're kidding yourself that your DC wasn't going to join in with the trashing and disruption.

Cinema staff seen Minority Report a few too many times.

I swear Tik Tok is one of the worst things ever invented. WTF is wrong with these idiots? I don't blame the staff for refusing to let them in. It makes much more sense to turn them away than to wait until the place is packed full with dozens of teens ready to raise hell.

I saw a man wearing a suit in a cinema whilst watching a James Bond film, they obviously had let him in. It's just not fair. 😡

It's not ridiculous if you understand the context behind it. Large groups of kids have been causing trouble in cinemas up and down the country dressed exactly as your son was. If I was a member of staff at the cinema I would assume they'd be up to exactly the same sort of thing and would not permit entry. Watch a couple of the clips and maybe you'll understand their reasoning.

My friend went to see minions last night with their kids and had to leave because there were so many loud, intimidating teens in suits throwing food, shouting. The cinema staff were completely outnumbered. It’s possible that this happened at your cinema too and so they’re trying to stop noisy teens coming in. I can’t say I blame them.

Good to hear.

Same!

I change my vote now!

Instead of cinema staff policing the clothes, why don't they police the behaviour? Chuck out anyone who's disturbing others/ trashing stuff.
Chucking out teens acting like twats in the middle of a showing, is ridiculously hard. They dont go from causing havoc to just meekly following you out. It is far easier to stop them at ticket sales then trying to get them out midway.
I do not miss my cinema job 😐.

I also don't blame the cinema, its all over tiktok people dressing up in suits and causing chaos at the screening and they got in, in the end to watch it so no harm done.

I’m afraid I agree with the cinema after reading this thread; I had no idea about it before.

It’s not discrimination. There’s no protected characteristic. Please don’t misuse the term.

I swear Tik Tok is one of the worst things ever invented

As a sociologist of online culture, TikTok is literally the worst mainstream app in existence. Its absolutely sinister. And I'm the last person to say 'keep kids off the internet'.

😳 …… what a time to be alive……

Sometimes I’m so glad I’m old…..

How do people expect cinemas to 'deal with' numerous teenagers throwing bananas and screeching their heads off? You would need three staff members for each teenager in order to drag them out.

There is no kid alive who coincidentally decides to go and see a children's film before their prom.

As a sociologist of online culture, TikTok is literally the worst mainstream app in existence. Its absolutely sinister. And I'm the last person to say 'keep kids off the internet'.

I don't know nearly as much about it as you do, but from what little I do know, I have no trouble believing you.

Right. But this thread is about people who are following the trend and how that has been linking with the disruptive behaviour.

YABU and I feel really sorry for cinema staff at the moment.

As others have pointed out it’s not just about wearing the suits it’s to disrupt the entire film. We went yesterday and it was impossible to watch. Constant clapping standing ovations and shouting out at the screen not to mention the filming and constant flash photography.

If anyone is reading this and your child has plans to do it please stop them! The cinema staff are powerless to stop it because of the amount of teenagers involved and it ruins it for the younger children that the film is aimed at.

Dress code is only a small part of the story here.

Well done to the cinema. They did great stopping your son and his friend before entry. Hopefully all cinemas will do it and deny entry to those dressed in suits hoping to follow this TikTok stupidity.

I think I probably say this every day!

Oh my god

I feel so sorry for cinema staff

what happens if the places that had trouble don't show the film anymore? Is it "only" lost revenue or will they have to pay out to distributors? Don't know how cinema business works.