Texting at a movie theater

[Beaverhausen]

I had a bad experience recently where a loud argument broke out because someone wouldn't stop texting during the film. Twice, theatre management came and asked the guy to turn his phone off (prompted by two different patrons going out to get them to come in) and he finally stopped.

What are your thoughts?

[PeaceNikki]

1. I don't understand how someone texting in a theater can bother others

unless they don't have it on vibrate.

:shrug:

[Beaverhausen]

4. the bright screen is distracting to me.

there is a reason theatres are dark - your focus should be on the screen only, not on what other people in the theatre are doing.

and, this guy had that phone in his ear and the blue light kept blinking and lighting up. When it's dark, any little light is distracting and annoying.

[PeaceNikki]

7. So... don't look at 'em. It's not THAT bright.

I guess I don't see the big deal.

[TommyO]

27. In a darkened theater, it is very bright, and very annoying

to the point that on several occasions I've actually left the theater, found a manager and went back in.

[SoxFan]

2. Would make me reconsider my opposition to the death penalty

[mnhtnbb]

3. Rude. Just plain rude. It's not your living room.

[trof]

5. Does texting make noise?

I don't understand.
????

[KitchenWitch]

8. The screens on phones are very bright.

For those of us with ADD, that can be very distracting.

[trof]

28. Ah. Thanks.

[bigwillq]

6. Doesn't bother me at all.

Talking during the movie would...that person can excuse themselves and go out in the hall, but texting doesn't bother me.

[Lyric]

9. As long as the sounds are turned off, I don't care.

I'd rather have someone texting than someone gabbing on their cell. God that's annoying.

[DarkTirade]

10. As long as I don't see or hear it, I don't care.

If it's a distraction, then yeah, it's rude. But if they're in the back row the phone is silent, go for it.

[Lavender Brown]

11. Annoying.

If it's not important, it can wait two hours. If it is really important, they should leave the theater to deal with it.

[Kali]

12. I hardly ever go to the movies but it would bother me if I could see the light.

WTF is wrong with people? Go outside, you aren't paying attention anyway.

[kayakjohnny]

13. Anyone who so much as twitches in a theater should be shot and buried on sight.

Includes coughing, laughing, talking, crying, eating candy, eating popcorn, shaking the ice in an empty drink, sniffling, hacking or even breathing or sighing too loud. And it certainly includes using annoying electronic devices.

:evilgrin:

[bigwillq]

14. Wow, you must be a perfect human being.

:eyes:

[kayakjohnny]

16. Wow, you must not understand emoticons.

[bigwillq]

19. I guess I don't in this case.

The sarcasm one would've worked better.

[kayakjohnny]

22. Maybe, but I don't like that one. Never have.

See, I think a little smiling red devil is a universal indication that someone might be up to something a little mischevious. And the fact that the devil is smiling might hint that there is some kind of joke happening. Just my take.

Sorry if you think I'm being harsh.

[bigwillq]

23. No, not harsh.

To me, the evil one does mean you're up to trouble but not always doing so in a joking or sarcastic matter.

[kayakjohnny]

25. I think we're done here.

[crimsonblue]

15. It angers me... very much so.

Seriously, you can't go 3 goddamn hours of your pitiful existence without texting? Give me a fucking break!

[Zavulon]

17. I'll gladly accept texting if it eliminates talking and laughing.

I'm not referring to laughing at a scene in the movie, I'm referring to being a loud and inconsiderate dickhead. I stopped going to movies in the theater years ago because the experience is intolerable, especially with teens in the theater.

Also, and I know some mother will get all wound up over this, but show some fucking common courtesy and leave your newborn with someone else. Theaters are for movies, not for day care, and you're not the only one in the theater.

(Waiting for the first idiot to remind me that I was once a newborn too, as if that has anything to do with it or as if my mother was inconsiderate enough to bring me to a theater at that age, which she wasn't)

[mwdem]

18. I think texting on a plane when you're at the gate is sinful..

especially if I'm in the window seat, nobody in the middle, and this person on my aisle seat is too busy texting to get up when it's time to MOVE!!

[kiva]

20. Rude. A couple of weeks ago went to a movie

and some idiot three rows up from me was texting--the light was bright and distracting. If you can't go for a couple of hours without connecting to someone, maybe a DVD at home is a better idea.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

21. One of the reasons I rarely go to the theater.

Also, the general immaturity of people who nearly puke at a realistic, non-comedic sex scene, yet have no problem with somebody's head getting blown off at close range is depressing as hell.

[blueraven95]

24. ....should reserve the texter a lovely spot in a special hell

where they are interrupted by annoying people for all eternity.

:hi:

[supernova]

26. The only people who should have their phones on in a theatre

are Docs and EMTs on call or waiting for emergent lab reports.

Nobody else is that important.