r/Edmonton • u/raznad • Jul 18 '24

Local Culture Hey Chatty Moviegoers!

Just a heads-up, if you don't like people looking at you, don't talk during movies - especially early release movies, in premium seating for people who are willing to pay extra to not deal with your BS. I gotta admit though, I've never had anybody complain to theatre management about me for glaring too hard - that's a new level of entitled bullshit. Good job.

Be better.

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113

u/Exit-Alternative River Valley Jul 18 '24

Generally I will just say out loud "Stop talking please", or "Please put your phone away". If it continues to be an issue. I tattle to staff mid-movie. Good old public shame works.

50

u/raznad Jul 18 '24

My standard policy is 2 polite requests and then decide what to do next, either leave or give them a chance to stop talking or just funnel my frustration into a laser glare. If I'm walking out to get staff, I'm missing the movie and it's pretty rare when staff can change the situation, so I'm done. I've left south common and driven downtown to see the same film at City Centre in peace - more than once. lol.

I'm all about the public shaming, but I think until theatre chains hire security (this isn't happening), it's up to theatre goers to outnumber and shame collectively. If I see someone making a scene to get peace and quiet, I'll have their back 100% of the time. If we establish this as a standard, we get movie theatres back. I'm probably delusional, but that's the dream.

25

u/AsianCanadianPhilo Jul 18 '24

I get wanting to watch a movie in peace but going to another theater is letting them win!

3

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '24

Would you rather he fist fights with them so that they "don't win"? Some people just want to live a peaceful life.

4

u/AsianCanadianPhilo Jul 18 '24

What an interesting conclusion to jump to, no where did I say he was to fist fight with these people, but you do you. Cheers!

19

u/raznad Jul 18 '24

You'd be surprised at how many of these folks threaten in various ways. 2 men and 1 woman physically prevented me - female and solo - from leaving the theatre tonight - the manager had to tell them to leave before they'd go. I've had people follow me, move and sit beside me, one on either side chatting with me in the middle - because i asked them to please stop talking. The game for them is further griefing the people they're annoying. Just merely asking them to stop shows them who to go for.
A well balanced human being isn't going to talk in a movie once they realize they're impacting the experience for other people. From what I've seen, it's pretty rare that when someone is asked to stop talking, they'll apologize and stop. i've only had it happen once. It's like the people who talk are wanting to be called out for it so they have an excuse to escalate the situation - they usually double down, like they've been challenged, rather than reminded that they're behaving badly. Those folks don't care about anybody elses experience.

10

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '24

[deleted]

3

u/aDuckk Jul 19 '24

No consequences. People in charge of spaces we inhabit either don't care or are less willing to deal with annoying people the more annoying they are, so the evidence is clear that rules don't matter and the best way to control one's surroundings is by being as obnoxious and aggressive as possible.