Banning cell phones in theatres.

[p51]

My Dad told me years ago, "You can experience something or record it. You can't do both."
I was showing my WW2 Jeep at an airshow last year and saw a family walking around texting the whole time. I don't think they ever looked up. I snagged the father as they were leaving and I asked, "Why did you pay to come in if you weren't looking at anything? What was the point?" He just stared at me with a blank expression. I think once I said that, the light bulb kicked on, but he turned and walked away with a glazed look anyway.

A problem I see with kids and texting (my observation with my 16 year old daughter), is they think their life is a reality TV show and everyone is watching. Thus the need to stay "wired" into the world.

I can't recall who said it, but I heard on TV, someone commented that if aliens are monitoring the world, they'd think that almost everyone on earth thinks they're famous. Sure seems like the case, doesn't it? I hate social media and only use my phone to communicate with my wife and my elderly parents. But then again, I'm 42 and have seen enough of life and the world to know that it's really big and we're all just tiny cogs at best. Most of these teens don't realize that yet.

When I lived in Baltimore in the late 90's there was a theater in Towson which did not allow children under 3.... PERIOD. Needless to say I never saw any movies rated G there. It was nice going to the movies without parents bringing their crying kids into the movie SCREAM.

There was a theater like that at White Marsh as well (I was stationed at Aberdeen in 97 and 98). I never saw another theater set like that again, though.

 

[SimonT]

I know that (in the UK) both the Showcase and Odeon cinema chains run announcements before the main features instructing the audience to turn their mobiles off. Can't say as I've had too many problems with people talking on the phone in cinemas, I've witnessed the odd texter, but that's all.

Restaraunts on the other hand....:angry

 

[Mrkipling]

They should ban phones at social outings. The ammount of times I have seen a group of people in a restaurants sitting round a table texting, not even talking to the people they are with. Simmilar to what P51 is saying. What the hell does every one have to tell each other that is so dam important. I bet you most of the texts are "lol"
.....any way back to the topic

 

[JD]

They should ban phones at social outings. The ammount of times I have seen a group of people in a restaurants sitting round a table texting, not even talking to the people they are with. Simmilar to what P51 is saying. What the hell does every one have to tell each other that is so dam important. I bet you most of the texts are "lol"
.....any way back to the topic

It's this kind of logic I don't get. It's intolerance, really - it's I don't like that you're doing something, so I want to ban it. :facepalm Why!?!

Just because you don't like that they choose to sit at restaurant texting - it should banned. Not that they're disturbing anyone - but, just because they're sitting there doing something they choose to do.

This different than in a theater where texting is an obvious disturbance.



(I'm not condoning it and wouldn't allow my family to do it)

 

[batmann539]

They have something here called Stars and Strollers I believe, matinees where moms caan bring kids and theres no issues. Pretty smart move. And I imagine the moms dont feel put out and ruining everyones time. I'm not a fan of breeding lol so Im propably a lil biased lol. Still an excellent idea. It's a major distraction, like cell phones. So really.......a cell friendly showing or designated theatre would definitely work. I bet the theatres would get more people. Anyone here work for a theatre chain? are you listening lol?

I think that's a great idea as well. I know my local theater in Sacramento has special showtimes for the hearing impaired where subtitles play during the movie which I thought was a cool idea.

Sean

 

[CJS]

I think that's a great idea as well. I know my local theater in Sacramento has special showtimes for the hearing impaired where subtitles play during the movie which I thought was a cool idea.

Sean

I know a theater manager here locally that is really cool and hates this problem as much as most people. She said it was hard for her to find a middle ground on this, maybe this is the answer. I think I shall go see her this week. And she can pitch it to head office.

 

[Zombie_61]

I can't recall who said it, but I heard on TV, someone commented that if aliens are monitoring the world, they'd think that almost everyone on earth thinks they're famous. Sure seems like the case, doesn't it?

It's all about feeding their egos. You Tube, My Space, Twitter, Facebook, etc., can turn anyone into a "star".

But then again, I'm 42 and have seen enough of life and the world to know that it's really big and we're all just tiny cogs at best. Most of these teens don't realize that yet.

Most adults I know don't realize that yet. :unsure

 

[Nwerke]

Not that they're disturbing anyone - but, just because they're sitting there doing something they choose to do.

This different than in a theater where texting is an obvious disturbance.

Agreed; this doesn't bother me unless it is happening within the group *I* am socialising with, which is usually going to be a small group (cue obvious jokes, have fun) anyway, hence, more disruptive to the whole point of going out and meeting up in the first place. If you'd rather be hanging with the person on the other end of the line, please, be my guest and feel free to go do that...

If it's a wholly separate group I won't likely even notice.

(I'm not condoning it and wouldn't allow my family to do it)

Agreed some more.

 

[Nwerke]

They have something here called Stars and Strollers I believe, matinees where moms caan bring kids and theres no issues. Pretty smart move. And I imagine the moms dont feel put out and ruining everyones time.

I was at a pub three or four years ago where about six young mums showed up with actual babies and toddlers in strollers, blocking a huge area. A pain, but okay, fine so far, they probably can't get out much, cut 'em some slack, etc. Then one or two of the older kids were being allowed to crawl across the tables. The manager approached them and *very* politely requested that they get the kids off the table, safety laws and all, you know how it is. They complied, then reverted within five minutes. He asked them again, slightly more forcefully but still polite. They went bananas, then flounced out, still going bananas.

Nobody can find the turn signals on their cars, either.

I dunno, I really am starting to think 'if you can't beat them, join them'. My Honda's indicator switch failed last week and I'm not bothering to feel guilty when I forget to give hand signals. I mostly don't - but if I only signalled when I felt like it, all that would do would be to make me the same as everybody else here.

Stuff it. I've got a loud exhaust on that bike, that should be enough for them, right? Signalling is so 20th century.

 

[Timmythekid]

Sword method worked great for the first showing of a midnight run. Last thing I want to do is leave the movie to find a manager. Usher? I haven't been to a theater that ever had an usher unless it was one of those POSH Los Angeles theaters that charges $30 to see a non-3D movie:behave

Look, I hate the texting, talking, coughing as much as anyone but jeesus you need some perspective - it's an annoyance at a movie theater, not an assault. Ask them to stop, tell them they're acting like asshats, call the manager. Pulling a sword on someone because they were doing something which distracted you? Someday you're going to get your costumed ass stomped, and you'll absolutely deserve every minute of it.

 

[Jedi2016]

I try and go to the movies now during showtimes when the least amount of D-bags will be present.

Sean

So... 5 weeks after release?

Not at all, you just need to find the right combination of day and time. We went to go see The Avengers Thursday morning at 11AM. The place was empty, no lines, and there were maybe two dozen people in the theater with us.

I'm probably doing the same thing with Prometheus. Yeah, it'll be crazy on Friday night, but probably not during the day while most of the town is at work.

 

[Rosalita]

Our usual cinema used to have a "no patrons under 18 after 7PM" policy. It was brilliant. It was also, at the time, more of an art house than a popcorn palace. We went for a repeat viewing of The Avengers there, and there was a woman who insisted on talking through the entire picture. No amount of "shhh!", people asking her to be quiet, popcorn being pitched at her or a staff member being fetched would shut her up. And yes, she was there through the entire film - and got hustled out the door as soon as the credits began to roll by the only embarrassed member of her entourage.

The experience made me glad we went to the Marvel marathon run by AMC. Our theater was full of people who were excited to be there, and nobody else was ushered into the auditorium for the midnight premiere. The general lack of manners shown in public makes me wish that the Alamo Drafthouse would expand a bit more. I was THRILLED to discover there will be an AD in New York City next year - it would instantly become my cinema of choice. Instead, I'm grateful that my better half likes to wait a few weeks for a new movie, and that he has a weekday off!

 

[TheDoctor]

It's this kind of logic I don't get. It's intolerance, really - it's I don't like that you're doing something, so I want to ban it. :facepalm Why!?!

Just because you don't like that they choose to sit at restaurant texting - it should banned. Not that they're disturbing anyone - but, just because they're sitting there doing something they choose to do.

This different than in a theater where texting is an obvious disturbance.



(I'm not condoning it and wouldn't allow my family to do it)

Agreed completely. I think a matter of BANNING (in general) is a bad idea... maybe we should start teaching etiquette in school (especially when it comes to mobile devices) and why etiquette is important.

 

[JD]

Agreed completely. I think a matter of BANNING (in general) is a bad idea... maybe we should start teaching etiquette in school (especially when it comes to mobile devices) and why etiquette is important.

I think it needs to start at home... but, that's a whole other issue and I'm not sure this is the correct forum for that! :lol

 

[cboath]

It's this kind of logic I don't get. It's intolerance, really - it's I don't like that you're doing something, so I want to ban it. :facepalm Why!?!

Just because you don't like that they choose to sit at restaurant texting - it should banned. Not that they're disturbing anyone - but, just because they're sitting there doing something they choose to do.

This different than in a theater where texting is an obvious disturbance.



(I'm not condoning it and wouldn't allow my family to do it)

Actually there are restaurants that do ban cell phones. You agree with it in a movie setting, but not all restaurants are like McDonalds. Think dark romantic restaurant. Texting on a giant screen smart phone tends to ruin the atmosphere just like a movie. The talking some people insist on doing non-stop in restaurants ruins the atmosphere as well.

Cell's don't only interrupt the enjoyment of a movie....

Not saying it should be a universal rule for all places, butf you get a call in a nice restaurant/place, excuse yourself and go to the lobby or outside or decline to answer it. Same with texting. In McD's, who cares. In a nice place, it can be a PITA to those around you.

 

[niennumb1]

You know what really got to me was yesterday I went to go see The Avengers and there's all these signs and little blurbs bout not texting or using cell phones in the theater during the film. Yet what big advertisements are they pushing in the AMC First Look pre-show... Sprint and new HTC cell phones. So they're fine selling something they don't want you to have in theaters. How about selling cell scramblers and making that legal?

 

[JD]

Actually there are restaurants that do ban cell phones. You agree with it in a movie setting, but not all restaurants are like McDonalds. Think dark romantic restaurant. Texting on a giant screen smart phone tends to ruin the atmosphere just like a movie. The talking some people insist on doing non-stop in restaurants ruins the atmosphere as well.

Cell's don't only interrupt the enjoyment of a movie....

Not saying it should be a universal rule for all places, butf you get a call in a nice restaurant/place, excuse yourself and go to the lobby or outside or decline to answer it. Same with texting. In McD's, who cares. In a nice place, it can be a PITA to those around you.

You're kinda taking my comment out of context. My bit was a reply to the guy who didn't agree with another person using a cell phone and seemed angered by that.

I agree that there times and places when its appropriate and inapporpriate and it is very rude to use a mobile in most circumstances that have been mentioned here. I do check my e-mails and even text on occasion at a restaurant - I try not to do so in a rude manner.

I have no problem with a restaurant banning cell phones as long as that policy is well known and up front about it. Would I frequent those restaurants? I'm not sure, I'm rationale and intelligent enough to know when and how to use my cell phone (although we all know quite a few don't) and I'm not sure if I like the idea of them dicating an outright ban - especially when I know to keep in on silent and would excuse myself if a call were urgent enough to return a call/text. However, I am a firefighter and my reasons might be different than others.

 

[cboath]

Goes back to he old saying from school - all it takes is one guy to ruin for everyone.

It hacks people off primarily in movie theaters, but in a full theater of 400 people, how many offenders are there? 10? Shows 99% of that group gets it, but the 1% screw it up for everyone.

Maybe it's different in other parts of the country - i don't know, but i've never seen 30-40+ people doing that in a full theater.

 

[KTsLaLaLand]

I'd gladly pay a little extra for a cell-free theatre. I really don't understand why people have to be plugged in like that all the time.

Speaking as a theatre person, I don't think cell phones should even be ON in a theatre (unless you don't mind the little beeebebebeebebebep sound speakers make when someone gets a silent call). For me and I'm sure lots of other people, a theatre is a sacred place. I get highly upset when people don't respect it. That might be weird.

 

[Rycraft]

Mobile connectivity rots the mind. If everyone could unplug for a wee bit then the world would be a better place. Present company excluded, of course.