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Original poster

SMALL CHILDREN AND CINEMA ETIQUETTE

35 replies

willow2 · 10/04/2006 12:00

I would just like to point out, in a rant sort of way, that if you were one of the parents who took their young children to see Ice Age 2 at Richmond, yesterday afternoon, and, when they got bored as young children are want to do, you decided that, rather than taking them out of the cinema, you would let them run up and down the aisles...

YOU RUINED THE FILM FOR EVERYONE ELSE.

It cost me £22 to take my son and his friend to this film, for their special half term treat. We expected to be able to watch it for that money. But oh no. For some reason, you seemed to think that, because this was a family film, it gave your family the right to run riot.

Talk about stupid hippys.

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hunkermunker · 10/04/2006 12:01

I'd have tripped the children up. But I have rage issues.

GDG · 10/04/2006 12:01

Angry Would be LIVID

motherinferior · 10/04/2006 12:01

I would like to add the people who took their small son (why?) to LOTR2 and then TALKED all the way through it, as if they were watching TELLY AT HOME to this list.

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Caligula · 10/04/2006 12:04

Why didn't you just go and complain to the cinema staff? I would - I'd just say I want my money back unless you get those people either out or quiet. That usually does the trick.

BettySpaghetti · 10/04/2006 12:07

Please can I add the family with the annoying little boy who kept waving his light-up/spinning whatever-you-call-it (you know, those things that cost a fortune that they insist on selling at pantomimes/festivals/theatres etc as if you haven't already spent enough on the tickets Angry) between the heads of my daughter and her best friend at the Moscow State Circus.

Just because he didn't actually hit them on the head doesn't make it alright IMHO.

schneebly · 10/04/2006 12:07

i took my young son to the cinema for the first time last week and was fully prepared to leave if he became unsettled/bored. In fact he sat through the whole thing like a darling and loved the film but had he started any nonsense we would have been out of there like a shot - its not fair to ruin other peoples enjoyment. Where were the staff!!!

PiccadillyCircus · 10/04/2006 12:08

I would be really Angry too.

Original poster
willow2 · 10/04/2006 12:13

Caligula - I did complain. Someone turned up and stopped one kid, but didn't notice the other family running up the aisle near me. Frankly, could not be arsed to get up again. Also, as was with child other than my own, did not want to get into arguement with stupid family, so did not have a go directly.

OP posts:
Caligula · 10/04/2006 13:03

If more people asked for their money back, cinemas wouldn't allow it to happen. They'd have messages like they do about turning off mobile phones, before the film starts.

Celia2 · 10/04/2006 13:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IlanaK · 10/04/2006 14:09

I have to say, this is what puts me off going to the cinema at all. Its not just young kids either - often its adults with no concept of what is acceptable behaviour. I tend to get dvds now instead.

I have not yet taken my eldest to the cinema as I want to make sure he is ready first. He is almost 5 and I am sure would sit still, but if he played up, I would take him out straight away.

I will also say though - I am one of those obnoxious people who would have tripped up the children too, complained poudly to their parents, and if they still did not shut up, I would have complained to the staff.

hulababy · 10/04/2006 14:26

I'm be really cross too. It isn't as if it is a cheap outing either. Dd is only just 4 and has been to the cinema twice now, and the theatre more often than that. She has never been allowed, nor tried to, get down, run about or make a noise where not apporpriate. If she did, she'd be out of there in minutes.

desperateSCOUSEstrife · 10/04/2006 14:29

why didnt the ushers boot them out

Original poster
willow2 · 10/04/2006 19:23

Did complain and got vouchers for free tickets, but that isn't the point, is it? I've still wasted a couple of hours not really watching a film because of some dumb arse parents inability to comprehend what is and isn't acceptable behaviour in a cinema. I haven't been given my money back - just tickets to see another movie another time.

OP posts:
Caligula · 10/04/2006 19:24

where you can have your cinematic experience disturbed again by more unruly children! Grin

unicorn · 10/04/2006 19:26

dare I suggest there's an article here? ( you have probably already done so)

This is why ds - age 4 has not been to the cinema yet.
He is not a 'sitting still' type of child, and I am not wasting my money on taking him until he is good and ready (about 18 at this rate!)

Original poster
willow2 · 10/04/2006 19:28

God, hadn't even thought of that, was too peeved. Also, been so taken up with my mum being ill and all that work has been far from my mind these past few months. Can't wait for Summer term to start as feel I will be able to draw a line under this miserable start to the year and start from scratch. That said, where would you expect to read such a piece, perchance?

OP posts:
unicorn · 10/04/2006 19:30

ooh loads of newspaper places with comment sections...
dare I suggest the Daily Mail as a starter? (yikes)
or any of the Sunday supplements would take an eloquent rant I'm sure.

(sorry about your mum btw)

batters · 10/04/2006 19:33

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tallulah · 10/04/2006 19:34

Ushers?!! What are they?!

batters · 10/04/2006 19:36

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TwoIfBySea · 10/04/2006 21:55

When the Dracula film with Gary Oldman came out I went to see it with a couple of friends and in front of us was a family of 3 along with a child of about 5. Needless to say granny had to leave with the boy after about 5 minutes but we were astounded.

This was in the US not here so the family had a line of outraged nannies behind them.

I'd like to take dts (4) to see Ice Age 2 but it is the thought of other peoples children that is putting me off. It is a lot of money to spend.

Skribble · 10/04/2006 22:12

We were at a cinema recently, some teenagers thought it would be funny to throw stuff. The person who it hit looked very annoyed but didn't move. I saw exactly who it was so i told the ushers (you will find at least 1 usually hiding at the door or just outside), they came up straight away and had a word, one smart arse made a comment about the baldy one and they got chucked out straight away.

I think too many people are worried about making a fuss. We had 3 mins fuss and peace for the rest of the film. Make a fuss and get things done

I hate shows, cinemas etc as I always get kids banging my seat and its the one thing I can't stand. Pantos are my worst nightmare. I worked at a kids activity centre and I was the one who got crisps banned on video night Grin.

Blossomhill · 10/04/2006 22:18

Very, very annoying IMO As you say it costs a lot of money.

On a par with the time ds had a really important line to say in his school assembly and a child who continuously screamed and made noise drowned him out grrrrrrrrr.

I would whip my kid out straight away if they were causing a disturbance. Not fair, very selfish!

Earlybird · 11/04/2006 02:27

Oh how frustrating! DD has been to a few films, but until recently was unable to sit all the way through...so when she gets restless, we leave.

I agree with other posters about cinema audiences generally being an inconsiderate lot. I think my worst ever experience was sitting in front of a person who commenced rustling papers loudly for awhile. He finally stopped, but then all of us were assaulted by the smells wafting from his chinese takeaway! Shock He tucked right in and was oblivious to everyone else.

I now only go to the cinema at "off peak" times so that I stand a decent chance of actually enjoying the film instead of being frustrated/distracted by inconsiderate patrons.

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