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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Which way you turn to leave a cinema/theatre seat…

30 replies

Bodyshame1980 · 20/04/2024 22:48

So random and it’s probably a million other things in my mind that this was just bothering.

you get up to go to the loo in the cinema/theatre. Do you face face the people or you face the screen stage so your butt is in their faces?

OP posts:
ItSucksSo · 20/04/2024 22:51

face, so I can do that awkward raised hand and say ‘sorry, sorry…..sorry, thank you’ as I go along 😂

RadoxMoon · 20/04/2024 22:52

If you’re going to need to get up to go to the loo, surely you’d book an aisle seat?

Ofcourseshecan · 20/04/2024 22:53

I tend to make eye contact, smile and say excuse me, then sidle out facing the screen. Facing the people I’m squeezing past feels too in-their-face.

Original poster
Bodyshame1980 · 20/04/2024 23:23

Interesting!! Well I didn’t realise I booked was an in corner seat! I darent leave my seat as so worried about how to get past the people. I kept looking around to see others leave but missed them.

I go to the theatre and cinema a lot but on my recent trip I needed the loo! I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to get past!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Bodyshame1980 · 20/04/2024 23:24

@Ofcourseshecan but then your bottom faces them?!

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 20/04/2024 23:24

Does it matter if your bottom faces them? I presume you have clothes on!

Original poster
Bodyshame1980 · 20/04/2024 23:26

Erm isn’t it rude? I don’t know what if I accidentally farted!

OP posts:
Original poster
Bodyshame1980 · 20/04/2024 23:26

(I have IBS so sometimes wind can expel suddenly).

OP posts:
Cheeesus · 20/04/2024 23:30

RadoxMoon · 20/04/2024 22:52

If you’re going to need to get up to go to the loo, surely you’d book an aisle seat?

Sometimes you arrive later than the people seated before your seat though.

Cheeesus · 20/04/2024 23:30

I think I’m face to face.

fromaytobe · 20/04/2024 23:34

RadoxMoon · 20/04/2024 22:52

If you’re going to need to get up to go to the loo, surely you’d book an aisle seat?

And you know this several months in advance...?

Original poster
Bodyshame1980 · 20/04/2024 23:35

I think everyone can need the loo! For me it’s often I’ll go to the loo think I’m ok then need to go again! Was totally trapped yesterday and couldn’t for the life of me think which way to face to get out to go the loo so I didn’t go!!

OP posts:
TeabySea · 20/04/2024 23:39

Whenever I've had to pass people on a row at the theatre (don't do cinema), or have had to let people pass, those who were seated stand. It gives more room to get by.
I tend to sort of shuffle sideways on to them so I don't have my arse completely in their way.

fisherking1 · 20/04/2024 23:42

I look straight ahead, never bottom to their face. I am yet to arrive first to my seat so have to do this every month! I never go to the loo though.

Noyok · 20/04/2024 23:44

Face to face but many theatres do not allow you to leave whilst the show is in progress.

Original poster
Bodyshame1980 · 20/04/2024 23:46

@fisherking1 you mean you look at them? I couldn’t fit sideways.

OP posts:
RadoxMoon · 20/04/2024 23:47

fromaytobe · 20/04/2024 23:34

And you know this several months in advance...?

Show quote history

Well, you know if you’re someone who is likely to need the loo during a performance, surely?

I’ve never needed to go during a theatre production or cinema and never been with anyone who has. So I think it’s quite unusual you can’t last a couple of hours.

Original poster
Bodyshame1980 · 20/04/2024 23:48

Theatre can generally hold until interval and will often go twice (even if it means sneaking into the men’s loo!). Cinema had me stumped!

OP posts:
lottiegarbanzo · 20/04/2024 23:52

Facing stage or sideways. Most people stand but if seated they usually sit sideways to get their knees out the way, so you're not in their face.

You go to the loo before, after or at the interval though. Moving mid-performance is incredibly disruptive, rude and not normal.

fisherking1 · 20/04/2024 23:57

@fisherking1you mean you look at them? I couldn’t fit sideways.

Yes sort of but I can normally fit through without facing them fully.

Original poster
Bodyshame1980 · 21/04/2024 09:14

I imagine the etiquette is to face and they stand slightly. I don’t know why I have a mind block on this, I think it’s because I go to the cinema less than theatre and I was really stuck in a corner and needed a wee! I think next time I come right as the film is due to start so I don’t then need a wee!

OP posts:
rosemarylavendar · 21/04/2024 11:26

Probably bottom facing them! Though if I think about it, I sort of do a weird tightrope walk trying to do neither of the options you’ve suggested, depending on how wide the gap is!

Ginkypig · 21/04/2024 11:41

Truth is I don’t think it matters.
having thought about it there’s only been a couple of times in adulthood I’ve had to leave mid performance but when it’s happened I normally don’t face them because I don’t want to see the entire audience watching me moving instead of the film/show but actually
As long as you are polite and as quiet and quick as you can to cause as little disruption as possible then that’s the right way.

in your personal circumstances you are scared of letting out a little fart so I would say I’d definitely prefer you face to face as I really wouldn’t want a fart directed straight at me at face level!

so in conclusion either way is fine but if your having a bad ibs day consider that as the decider to face the person 😄

I say that with the full empathy of a fellow bowl condition sufferer!

EmilyTjP · 21/04/2024 11:42

Bodyshame1980 · 20/04/2024 23:26

Erm isn’t it rude? I don’t know what if I accidentally farted!

🙄

KezzaMucklowe · 21/04/2024 11:46

I do butt to face, but clench to prevent a fart. I don't think I could do f2f I would worry about falling backwards.

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