An open letter to the people in front of me at the movie theater
To: The 3 people sitting in front of me at the movie theater
Hello, my name is Patric Welch. I was sitting directly behind you at the movie theater today. You probably wouldn't recognize me or even realize that I sat behind you because you were texting and updating Facebook on your phones for the entire duration of the movie.
I'm happy you sat directly in front of me, even though the theater had about 250 open seats and I arrived about 15 minutes before you. Because if you hadn't sat in front of me, I might not have been able to hear those pleasant "new text message" sounds coming from your phone every 45 seconds.
I also wouldn't have been able to enjoy the light show your phone put off every time you used it to update Facebook. I enjoyed the extra challenge trying to watch the movie without being distracted by the constant flash of light from your phone.
It's also reassuring to know the messages you were sending and receiving on your phone made your friends laugh and smile. I knew this because every time you received a message you giggled and talked out loud to your friends while you passed your phones along to each other to share.
Incidentally, the movie we were at was called The Blind Side and it was one of my favorite movies of the year. It might have been your favorite too had you watched more than 10 minutes of the movie.
P.S. The money I spent on the movie wasn't a complete waste. After seeing you enter your security code on your phone at least 30 times, I finally was able to commit it to memory. I suggest keeping your phone close to you for a while.
18 comments for this blog post so far...
December 22, 2009 at 8:13 am
Gerrie S
ROTFL!! That is too funny! The only thing that would make this better is if the people in front of you actually read it.
December 22, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Brenda B.
Good for you. I don’t understand why anyone would pay to see a movie then spend all that time texting, tweeting, etc. The sign comes up to remind everyone to turn off their cells but some people must knot know how to read. I suggest those attend school teaching english so they can read the previews telling them to turn off cell phones… Sorry I got on my soap box but cell phones make me mad when used at the wrong time. Like at movies, while driving, at church and the list goes on.
December 22, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Auriette
Hear! Hear! The movie studios wonder why people aren’t going to the theatres so much any more. For me and my husband, it’s a matter of not being able to enjoy the film because someone is talking loudly, receiving (or making!) phone calls, texting, or otherwise disrupting the experience.
December 22, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Brenda B.
I agree with you Auriette. I very seldom go to movies because of distractions. I wait and ck out the DVD and watch at home. Because of nudity, raw sex, cursing I don’t like alot of the movies out today. I miss the movies of the 50s-70s before trashing was ok..
December 23, 2009 at 7:30 am
Edward S
For the sake of not being considered violent, I would have probably handled that situation a little bit differently. If I spend excessive monies (movie monies ARE excessive), I’d make sure that I got the most out of it, by any means necessary. I probably would have picked that person up, carried them to the front door of the theatre, and tossed them out on their butts. Oh yeah, I’d accept the consequences graciously. But, with a legitimate and logical explanation, would have gotten off scott free. (It’s just me) Yours truly, a big strong retired veteran. Get my drift?!
December 23, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Gary
Now that I am raising two children and want to instill good values in them, I find that few movies are consistent with the values our family wishes to live by.
December 23, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Brenda B. Hill
Edward, agree with you but I am only 5ft tall and small so that would be out of the question but I would feel like doing that...LOL
December 24, 2009 at 8:03 am
Edward S
Why, thank you Brenda. And, of course, I would not recommend that for you. Actually, I do the same thing that you do.....wait for it to come out on DVD. Ya know, $4 for a 5 inch hotdog would only make me that more dissatisfied with going to a theatre.
December 24, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Brenda B.
With me its pop corn.. I love pop corn and when I go to movies I have to have pop corn. But when you get the large container (i am a pig) along with large sprite, you have spent $10.00. and this takes away from your enjoyment.LOL
December 26, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Jean
Patric,
You had two options other than your choice to sit there and suffer. You said the theatre was almost empty. You could have moved to another seat.
Even better, you could have complained to the manager. They want happy customers. Likely they would have either removed the offenders (they do tell you to turn off your cellphone in all the theatres where I live) or offered you a refund or a ticket to a later show.
People who are rude and inappropriate need to be called on their bad behavior, not tolerated. Should you have a similar problem in future, please take my advice and get a manager to help you.
January 06, 2010 at 11:03 am
Patric Welch
Thank you everyone for your comments! Glad I’m not alone with my feelings :)
@Edward S - I’m taking you with me to the movies next time I go :)
@Jean - Yes, I could have moved but my ego would have been bruised since I got to the theater early to get a good seat. And talking to the manager means I have to miss part of the movie. Although I do like your suggestion of asking for tickets to another showing.
January 28, 2010 at 8:01 am
software development uk
Interesting,
But why didnt you move?
Thanks for writing, most people don’t bother.
January 28, 2010 at 8:08 am
Patric Welch
Several people have asked why I didn’t move. Two reasons. First, I arrived at the movie theater early and therefore had choice seats. Second, by the time I realized I wanted to move the theater was pretty crowded and I would have had to move to less than desirable seats. It was a lose-lose for me either way.
February 01, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Marla Campbell
People - you MUST speak up. Put up with nothing in life, life is too short and these things can be managed. Be assured you can do it before you get started, and remember you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. So get started- a tap on the shoulder the second time it happens “honey, the light and sounds are very distracting, I’d truly appreciate it if you would put the phone away, will that be a problem?” If they give you the wrong answer - yes it would be a problem - “well how are you going to resolve this for me since its your activity?” If the next interaction is not positive and doesnt result in it stopping, simply excuse yourself and get the management. The crowd will love you.
I cant tell you how many times i watch people put up with stuff in public that is so awful.
In the days we went to high school football games with the kids, early on i heard kids cursing near us, i jumped up and called them out “hey, there are mommies, and kids sitting here you know better than to talk like that, i dont want to hear anymore of that language’. My kids wanted to hide but I can tell you every Friday night we had more kids sitting with us than any other parents.
March 28, 2010 at 9:25 am
Robert
I have had similar things happen to me. I just yell “ Shut off your dam phone”, then look around as if to see who yelled it out. Works almost every time ;-)
February 03, 2011 at 11:41 am
Broadband Jimbo
great story, and er.. it wasn’t me, honest, I wasn’t even there at The Blind Side, texting and updating my facebook… actually I missed the plot could you recap for me ;-)
February 05, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Vize
Vize
Thank you friend, very nice posts.
October 14, 2011 at 2:44 am
Software Company
Good blog. Pretty fascinating and accurately published article. Thanks once more - I will return.
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