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Original poster

Cinemas not following the rules

133 replies

Willyoujustbequiet · 16/12/2021 17:19

If you are cautious about covid I would advise against Vue cinemas at the moment.

We went at an early showing and booked extra seats to keep some distance. It was awful. No signs up about masks required and I would estimate 75% didn't bother. A few clearly had flu/covid and were coughing and spluttering everywhere. Staff weren't interested in the slightest. Some teenagers were making a point of coughing as they thought it was hilarious. A few including us walked out because of how bad it was.

It's no wonder we are in this mess. To be honest I hope they shut them again.

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 16/12/2021 21:18

@SpeckledHem

Why are people saying that op wants people to lose their jobs? I too would be annoyed by this lack of following simple rules to keep people safe. Why shouldn’t op be able to enjoy going to the cinema like everyone else? Just because clearly most posters on this thread don’t care about others, doesn’t mean op should stay at home!

How rude! People are so unkind

Because she said she hopes they shut.
TyrannosaurusRegina · 16/12/2021 21:19

For people saying she shouldn't have went. Why should OP miss out because of people who decide to just not give a damn? I'm sure she'd have felt ok about the whole experience if there weren't unmasked people coughing and sputtering away. Surely basic awareness is that if you're coughing and sputtering then you don't go to a busy cinema, much less without a mask.

TheVampiresWife · 16/12/2021 21:20

[quote Willyoujustbequiet]@TheVampiresWife

Most people weren't following the mask mandate. About 3/4 weren't in either the foyer/walking into the auditorium past people to get to their seats or seated ( not talking about whilst eating ).

This hasnt been my experience in shops etc. up to now so I was surprised at how different the approach was at the cinema.[/quote]
The cinema hasn't broken any guidelines. Staff aren't meant to confront people not wearing masks, it's not up to them to police it.

EssexLioness · 16/12/2021 21:41

So you sympathise for the disabled children you took to the cinema for a Christmas treat, then overreacted and made them leave the cinema? Wow! How upsetting for them all, particularly those that are neurodiverse. I am sure you are already aware of how distressing unexpected change of plans etc can be for people with autism, ADHD etc. If anyone spoilt this lovely treat for them, it was you, not the people that weren’t following the guidelines. I cannot imagine disappointing children in my care in this way

diamondpony80 · 16/12/2021 21:43

Went to the cinema for the first time in ages yesterday to see Spider-Man. Every screening of it yesterday was pretty much fully booked. No one wore masks once they sat down, but most people do eat at the cinema. It was a fairly enjoyable “normal” afternoon out.

billycorn · 16/12/2021 21:47

You sound utterly miserable op. Just stay at home next time.

PferdeMerde · 16/12/2021 21:49

Just because clearly most posters on this thread don’t care about others

Op doesn’t care about other people either.

weegiemum · 16/12/2021 22:21

We were at the cinema this afternoon (a Showcase). All rules were being followed and you couldn't book seats next to other people so no need for the insanity of booking seats you weren't going to use.

I took my mask off while seated as I was scarfing minstrels. Was on the end of a row with no one behind and one person in front but it was one of those cinemas with recliners so not very close.

It's my birthday today and my 19yo ds took me to see Spider-Man. I'm not a massive Marvel fan but have a soft spot for him, bit of a tradition that ds and I see those films together.

Nothing to panic about. The screen was about half full.

BellaChagall · 16/12/2021 22:28

I went to a Vue cinema a couple of days ago and everyone appeared to be wearing masks. They took them off to eat and drink, but that's allowed.

At a time when businesses are struggling I can't understand why you would come on here and urge people to avoid Vue cinemas based on your one experience in one location.

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 16/12/2021 22:58

Booking extra seats after almost 1 years of covid and nearly everyone triple jabbed I think stay at home and rent it in sky store.

I'm taking DS to see spiderman tomorrow after school at vue. We have the vip seats in imax. I hope it's full to bursting. Love the atmosphere. Can't wait!!!

luverlybubberly · 17/12/2021 00:00

[quote Willyoujustbequiet]@NannaMcPhoo It was intended to be a pre Christmas treat for a group of children with additional needs who have suffered a great deal during the pandemic. It was booked for a very early showing on a week day in a cinema which generally isn't busy. And only after the mask guidelines were reintroduced.

There has to be a balance somewhere. It's not unreasonable to expect guidelines are followed Disabled children shouldn't have to stay at home for the rest of their lives.[/quote]
Did you go and watch Spider-Man because I would expect it to be busy. Lots of adults would be interested in watching it plus private schools have broken up so I would expect families to be attending too.

I think you underestimate the stress of managing a mask mandate. If you know anyone in retail or hospitality then you'd know that most employers have always said that the most that they should do is remind people about the need for masks but allow them to remain maskless in order to avoid verbal or physical abuse. I have kids who work in those sectors and they have lots of stories of people being aggressive over a rule that they didn't make. I don't blame people for saying we can't and won't force customers into masks.

EssexLioness · 17/12/2021 00:45

@BellaChagall

I went to a Vue cinema a couple of days ago and everyone appeared to be wearing masks. They took them off to eat and drink, but that's allowed.

At a time when businesses are struggling I can't understand why you would come on here and urge people to avoid Vue cinemas based on your one experience in one location.

I agree, we went to our local Vue last week and it was absolutely fine and fairly quiet. DH is going again at the weekend and I am planning on going next week
Topseyt · 17/12/2021 01:38

To be honest I hope they shut them again

You are being pulled up on this very poorly thought through remark.

Did you consider before you just so flippantly trotted it out that cinemas would need to furlough their staff if they were to close, and that furlough is no longer available? Therefore jobs would be lost and the business would very possibly go bankrupt if your expressed wish for closure were to be granted at present.

No, you didn't actually say that you wanted people to lose their jobs, that is true, but you were thoughtless in what you did say as it would certainly lead to that happening.

I hope cinemas don't close again, and they can't without furlough anyway. It is nice to be able to live our lives again.

There is no need for masks to be worn in the auditorium as most of us snack and drink during the film. That breaks no rules.

I'm trying not to think of the disappointment of the children when you insisted that their Christmas treat be cut short!

Don't wish businesses closed. Of course that is how livelihoods are lost.

claretblue79 · 17/12/2021 02:56

I wouldn't bother OP. Most reasonable people could see that you weren't wishing somewhere closed, you're frustrated because of people's basic lack of consideration to those around you. However, as is normal on these threads, everything gets taken out of context and jumped on. As for suggesting the OP doesn't care about anyone else, that's just beneath contempt. Makes me feel really sad about where all of this is going

TicTacHoh · 17/12/2021 03:21

You have no idea why anyone is not wearing a mask, OP. As you will be aware, people may have hidden disabilities or other reasons for this, yet you seem to have assumed the worst of everyone. I'm glad cinemas are full. A couple of extra seats is not going to protect you from covid, masks or no masks.

TheVampiresWife · 17/12/2021 07:03

Most reasonable people could see that you weren't wishing somewhere closed

@claretblue79 the OP literally said To be honest I hope they shut them again (and that's a direct quote, not a misquote).

Closing businesses without furlough means that people will lose their livelihoods. 'Hoping' that happens (particularly when a business wasn't breaking any guidelines, you just felt a bit uncomfortable) does mark you out as thoughtless and uncaring.

TheVampiresWife · 17/12/2021 07:12

@TicTacHoh

You have no idea why anyone is not wearing a mask, OP. As you will be aware, people may have hidden disabilities or other reasons for this, yet you seem to have assumed the worst of everyone. I'm glad cinemas are full. A couple of extra seats is not going to protect you from covid, masks or no masks.
This, too, re exemptions.

And yes - you're sitting in a large, unventilated room with hundreds of strangers. An empty seat beside you isn't going to stop you catching covid if it's there. How many extra seats did you book, @Willyoujustbequiet? Also, in the dark of the cinema, how could you see if people were 'sweating profusely', incidentally?

By the way, I'm CEV and haven't been to the cinema in two years. My choice. I miss it (along with gigs and pubs and so much more) but I know it's a bit risky for me so I don't. It's not my right to expect others to mollycoddle me and make me 'safe'. If you or someone in your party is vulnerable, think about the potential problems of where you're going - if there are any, don't go. Don't go and then boot off on the internet because people were doing the things you'd expect them to do in that venue. It's like choosing to go ice skating then complaining afterwards that you had to whizz around on the ice and you might have fallen and hurt yourself.

MarcelineMissouri · 17/12/2021 07:17

MODERN CINEMAS ARE VERY WELL VENTILATED

ILoveHuskies · 17/12/2021 07:20

This didn't go how you expected op did it 😂😂😂

And wishing people out of jobs is just vile

Stay at home if you're so scared. Many of us no longer give a shit and are living our lives

catfunk · 17/12/2021 07:28
  • why are you going to a cinema if someone in family is CEV ( you mention shielding) During the highest level of cases we've ever seen? I'm not even that cautious and I wouldn't be going to a cinema this week. I especially wouldn't go at a dangerous time and then moan it wasn't safe.
  • you don't have to wear masks in cinemas
  • impressive you can diagnose Covid or flu from a distance.
  • he was sweating profusely? Come off it.

Merry Christmas op I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time - you sound like loads of fun.

20viona · 17/12/2021 07:30

People eat and drink throughout films so masks off is fine then. Agree with others if you're as obsessed as booking extra seats then the cinema isn't the place for you.

Looneytune253 · 17/12/2021 07:33

Sounds like you're too cautious to go out right now. People are (generally) coughing and spluttering EVERYWHERE at this point

girlmom21 · 17/12/2021 07:35

Did you really drag a group of children, who you say have missed out on so much, out of the cinema? That's awful.

anon12345678901 · 17/12/2021 07:48

If you're that anxious, stay at home. I've been to the cinema a few times and I don't wear my mask, I don't want to keep taking it down every few minutes to eat. I won't apologise for that. I wear it the majority of places but not whilst eating. If you feel that worried about Covid, you should be staying home and letting others carry on. Cinemas should not close as we cannot afford to have loads on furlough again, it will not happen so inevitably jobs will be lost. It's easier if people who are anxious, stay at home.

anon12345678901 · 17/12/2021 07:50

@claretblue79

I wouldn't bother OP. Most reasonable people could see that you weren't wishing somewhere closed, you're frustrated because of people's basic lack of consideration to those around you. However, as is normal on these threads, everything gets taken out of context and jumped on. As for suggesting the OP doesn't care about anyone else, that's just beneath contempt. Makes me feel really sad about where all of this is going
You didn't read the post properly did you? Where it says I hope they shut them again. I think most reasonable people can understand that sentence means I hope they close.