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[Sneds]

If people are complaining about the waiters, then dinner theaters aren't for them.

Sure. I'd think it would be a better idea to eat before/after the movie rather than during. If you can go two hours without texting I'd think you can go two hours without eating.

 

[.la1n]

Wish we had an Alamo here, I refuse to even go to the theatre any more. Rediculous price for a ticket number one, then after you pay that nice premium fee you are subjected to a theatre full of babies crying, phones illuminating the crisp bodily odor air and people talking about anything and everything. Ruined probably the last four movies I attempted to see. Fuck the theatre.

 

[tycoonheart]

I guess the argument would be that people go to the cinema expecting the waiters and the disruption it might entail but they don't expect people to be texting.

I've never been to this cinema, but I think that the idea of serving drinks and food during a movie is a bad idea.

Its a horrible idea. One of the local theaters here has one of them, and I unfortunately had to go into it 'coz the movie I wanted to watch was only playing there. The waiters would walk up and down the aisle during the movie to see if anyone wanted to order anything. That to me is way more distracting.

 

[SmokyDave]

Sure. I'd think it would be a better idea to eat before/after the movie rather than during. If you can go two hours without texting I'd think you can go two hours without eating.

I know you don't mean to draw a direct equivalence between the necessity of texting and the necessity of eating but nevertheless that's what you've done and it's hilarious.

 

[Zoe]

Its a horrible idea. One of the local theaters here has one of them, and I unfortunately had to go into it 'coz the movie I wanted to watch was only playing there. The waiters would walk up and down the aisle during the movie to see if anyone wanted to order anything. That to me is way more distracting.

That's not how it works at the Drafthouse.

 

[AceBandage]

*clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick*

YOU'RE LIFE IS NOT SO IMPORTANT THAT IT CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE MOVIE IS DONE!

 

[tycoonheart]

That's not how it works at the Drafthouse.

Explain to me how it works.

 

[Brian Fellows]

Can't say it would bother me in the least. I can tune anything out if I'm into the movie.

 

[Zoe]

Explain to me how it works.

Before the movie, they will walk up to you after you sit down to check your ticket and get your order (if ready).

Any interaction after that requires you to put up a piece of paper as a flag with the request written on it. If this is done after the movie has started, there is no verbal communication.

 

[tycoonheart]

Before the movie, they will walk up to you after you sit down to check your ticket and get your order (if ready).

Any interaction after that requires you to put up a piece of paper as a flag with the request written on it. If this is done after the movie has started, there is no verbal communication.

But the waiters still have to come up to you and pick up this piece of paper right? And if there is a decent amount of people who want food, the waiters could possibly be walking all around the movie theater, correct? They then have to go back and get the actual food. Again, if there is a considerable amount of orders, they could have to make more than 1 trip. Correct?

 

[Meier]

Its a horrible idea. One of the local theaters here has one of them, and I unfortunately had to go into it 'coz the movie I wanted to watch was only playing there. The waiters would walk up and down the aisle during the movie to see if anyone wanted to order anything. That to me is way more distracting.

Sounds like your dinner theatre has ruined the experience for you. Come to a Drafthouse (or the Enzian in Orlando where I first experienced it) for a superior experience.

Here is a picture of a Drafthouse theatre:

After the movie has started, you put up a little slip of paper in a slot with any other items on it and then they sneak over to you and grab it, all while ducking to avoid walking in front of the screen although they're already a few feet below the patron's row (they are walking at the level of the seats the row ahead). The waiters absolutely are not an issue during the film -- they're very covert.

The Drafthouse gives up seats in favor of ensuring the waitstaff can do their job without interfering. Typical patrons also slide under the bar so that they don't have to walk in their row to use the restroom.

 

[Zoe]

But the waiters still have to come up to you and pick up this piece of paper right? And if there is a decent amount of people who want food, the waiters could possibly be walking all around the movie theater, correct? They then have to go back and get the actual food. Again, if there is a considerable amount of orders, they could have to make more than 1 trip. Correct?

They have multiple people carrying out the orders. If they have to come out after the movie has started, they duck the entire time.

And as I said before, it's rare to put in an order after the movie has started.

 

[coopolon]

Wow, I didn't even know texting was taboo in theaters. It seems a little silly to me, but I also would not want to play any part in ruining other patrons extremely overpriced 2 hours of enjoyment, so now that I know I won't ever do it again. Admittedly I've gone to see two movies in the last 5 years and don't plan on ever going back again so...

Certainly after the first warning she should have stopped.

So at this place people are eating eating? Like dinners? I find it pretty amusing that customers go crazy over silent cell phone use but couldn't care less about people eating around them. Hell even popcorn and slurping sodas/slurpies drives me bonkers.

It seems from the responses of people who know the theater that they really like it, so good on the owner for creating an experience people are happy to spend ridiculous amounts of money on, and good on him for sticking up for those customers by throwing one who refuses to follow the rules out. I'm sure there's an AMC nearby that will be happy to accommodate her.

 

[YuriLowell]

Turn off your cell phone and leave your BABIES AT HOME WHEN YOU GO TO THE FUCKING MOVIES.

ITS NOT HARD.

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Seriously, how much food are you going to eat beyond the dinner that you initially ordered in less than two hours? Some of you are really stretching to find worst-case scenarios, like dozens of extra orders being taken over a 100-minute movie.

 

[Shurs]

So many exhibits of why I don't go to movies anymore in this thread. Entitled kiddies who can't put down their pacifier in the movie and can't be bothered to consider others, whether it's talking, texting, phoning, browsing the web, smacking their lips while eating their shit, digging through crackly plastic bags, yelling out comments, and all of the other stupid shit that people like Dead Man apparently think is just fine.

But I guess I'm a pussy if I don't like to put up with your shit.

You should read what you quoted again, but slower this time.

 

[Meier]

Do you guys just lose your minds if a relative calls during a film when you're watching one at home? Or if your roommate walks by and turns the light on in the hallway?

I'm seriously having some perceptual dissonance (or something) about the 'distracting lights' phenomenon with others in this thread, and it's troubling me, hahaha.

There is absolutely no comparison between watching a movie at home and watching at the cinema -- it's why the cinema experience still EXISTS. You don't go for convenience obviously. You go to get away from everyday life for a few hours.

If you've spent $20 on tickets and then another $25-$30 on food, you want the experience to be special. You want the other patrons to be courteous. If you're watching at home, chances are good you've had any surprises spoiled or you simply didn't care that much in the first place.

 

[y2dvd]

At a drafthouse, there's much room for a waiter to comfortably run up and down the aisle. They normally hunch over and rush to you and knell to take your order. The reason this isn't as annoying as texting is you are going there knowing that's the service they provide. You are not going paying to see someone text on their phones. The reason going to the restroom isn't as annoying as texting is because it's a necessity. Texting isn't.

I wouldn't mind so much if people check their phones while trying to cover up as much glare as possible. Tells me that person is at least trying to be considerate. Of course, I rather no one check their phones, period!

 

[cwmartin]

Awesome fights GAF has. A 2-4 inch LED screen distracts you away from the 100 ft projection screen and incredibly loud surround sound? Give me a break.

 

[Chojin]

1. Don't go to a movie on opening weekend
2. Have the theater to yourself to A) text all you want or B) avoid the texters/loud eaters/people using the bathroom/etc
3. ???
4. Profit!

I honestly don't understand why people even go to the movies during the first week of showing if other people's actions really piss them off so much.

Me and my roomate go every Tuesday night and its still fuck all annoying when someone has to twat and tweet and text while the movie is playing.

 

[Vyer]

Awesome fights GAF has. A 2-4 inch LED screen distracts you away from the 100 ft projection screen and incredibly loud surround sound? Give me a break.

No, you are just imagining that whole theater chains are existing based on this fact and that tons of people in this thread have also stated so.

 

[ScOULaris]

Awesome fights GAF has. A 2-4 inch LED screen distracts you away from the 100 ft projection screen and incredibly loud surround sound? Give me a break.

Exactly. Fucking ridiculous.

I can understand being bothered by someone constantly talking during a movie, but that's about it. How hard is it to just focus on the giant screen in front of you? Do you have that little impulse control that you're drawn to someone's cellphone glow like a moth?

 

[KevinCow]

Could one of the cell phone addicts in here explain to me why it's so impossible to go a mere two hours without using your cell phone? What is so important that you can't wait until the movie's over to read and respond? The only things I can think of are emergency situations like if a loved one is hurt, but if that were the case, you wouldn't be responding with a text, you'd be running out the door.

If you turn off your phone during the movie, then turn it back on after and reply to any texts you received, what absolutely vital information will you have missed?

 

[SmokyDave]

Awesome fights GAF has. A 2-4 inch LED screen distracts you away from the 100 ft projection screen and incredibly loud surround sound? Give me a break.

Was it GAF that barred the woman in the OP?

It's really, really simple. People don't like selfish shits using their phone during a film. It's the same sort of inconsiderate idiot that thinks they can listen to shitty, tinny music on a mobile whilst sitting on a bus. Usually teenagers, usually oblivious of the wider world outside their narrow perceptions.

 

[KevinCow]

Exactly. Fucking ridiculous.

I can understand being bothered by someone constantly talking during a movie, but that's about it. How hard is it to just focus on the giant screen in front of you? Do you have that little impulse control that you're drawn to someone's cellphone glow like a moth?

I think you have that backwards. The people who can't go the length of a movie without pulling out their phone and texting someone are the ones lacking in impulse control.

 

[ScOULaris]

I'll agree that it's sad and pathetic when people can't go without looking at/messing with their phone every thirty seconds, but I still don't see how texting during a movie should distract anyone. Just watch the movie. How hard is that?

 

[ColonelColon]

Explain to me how it works.

They read your mind.

If you know its distracting then don't do it.

Yeah, but even more importantly, people shouldn't get up out of their seats during movies. If you need to use the bathroom, then you better wear a diaper or get better bladder control. Anything else would degrade my superior movie viewing experience.

 

[YuriLowell]

Seriously you cell phone idiots. TURN IT THE FUCK OFF.

Any bright light when you are trying to focus is distracting as fuck.

Don't make excuses for yourselves.

 

[ScOULaris]

Not all of us who are defending texting in movie theaters are heavy texters, ourselves. I rarely text, let alone during a movie. That being said, you all sound like whiny twits when you act like someone texting in the movie theater is some kind of huge distraction. It's ridiculous.

Why do you have to look at their phone? Yeah, it's a tiny rectangle of light in a darkened theater, but it's either next to you or below you. You know, as opposed to the GIANT SCREEN directly in front of you.

 

[Dead Man]

Not all of us who are defending texting in movie theaters are heavy texters, ourselves. I rarely text, let alone during a movie. That being said, you all sound like whiny twits when you act like someone texting in the movie theater is some kind of huge distraction. It's ridiculous.

Why do you have to look at their phone? Yeah, it's a tiny rectangle of light in a darkened theater, but it's either next to you or below you. You know, as opposed to the GIANT SCREEN directly in front of you.

Mainly because the human eye is drawn to sudden light changes and movements?

 

[SmokyDave]

Not all of us who are defending texting in movie theaters are heavy texters, ourselves. I rarely text, let alone during a movie. That being said, you all sound like whiny twits when you act like someone texting in the movie theater is some kind of huge distraction. It's ridiculous.

Why do you have to look at their phone? Yeah, it's a tiny rectangle of light in a darkened theater, but it's either next to you or below you. You know, as opposed to the GIANT SCREEN directly in front of you.

You don't choose to look at the light, your eyes are naturally drawn to it.

Next time you're driving at night, ask your passenger to hold their phone down by the centre console and keep lighting it up randomly. I'm assuming that the huge windscreen in front of you will stop it from being distracting?

 

[ghst]

Of course I stopped, but not due to him. I turned to him and sternly told him to relax (it was during previews - when the cinema is at its brightest!), and he shrank in his seat. I put the phone away when I was done.

I wasn't even texting. I was typing something on my iPhone's notepad - something I do frequently throughout movies when they give me a stimulating idea. Whenever I do this, I'm always as discrete as I can be about it and I make sure to hide the phone's glow out of consideration for others because I am conscious it can be distracting to some. However, this guy was clearly white knighting, which pissed me off. He merely saw that I was using a phone, and decided he should show me his sword.

Fuck him.

i'll be sure to act on whatever "idea" your myopic little fingerdwiddling vacation from social decency "stimulates" if i'm ever sitting within six feet of you.

i'll apologise for the distraction to the other patrons, but somehow i'm sure they'll understand.

 

[BomberMouse]

Wow, While I agree that cellphones are annoying in a movie if you are so pricky about what other people do, then don't fucking go to a theater. I find people eating aroung me much more distracting.

They do have a point if texting was not allowed, but the way they convey their message make them sound like a bunch of douches.

 

[Artadius]

Not all of us who are defending texting in movie theaters are heavy texters, ourselves. I rarely text, let alone during a movie. That being said, you all sound like whiny twits when you act like someone texting in the movie theater is some kind of huge distraction. It's ridiculous.

Why do you have to look at their phone? Yeah, it's a tiny rectangle of light in a darkened theater, but it's either next to you or below you. You know, as opposed to the GIANT SCREEN directly in front of you.

Eyes, how do they work?

 

[Dead Man]

Wow, While I agree that cellphones are annoying in a movie if you are so pricky about what other people do, then don't fucking go to a theater. I find people eating aroung me much more distracting.

They do have a point if texting was not allowed, but the way they convey their message make them sound like a bunch of douches.

How about, if you can't follow the simple fucking rules, don't go to THAT theatre? If you don't like people eating, don't go to a restaurant theatre.

Bad self? I'm the pussy I thought. Since it doesn't bother you, you're the badass I'd say.

What the fuck are you on about? Did you even read my post?? What do you think my position is in this debate?

 

[coopolon]

You don't choose to look at the light, your eyes are naturally drawn to it.

Next time you're driving at night, ask your passenger to hold their phone down by the centre console and keep lighting it up randomly. I'm assuming that the huge windscreen in front of you will stop it from being distracting?

But, it's like a ms of a distraction. Light goes on, eyes quickly look to see what it is, go back to movie, haven't missed anything (unless you start obsessing over it, "god damn that lady, how dare she use her cell phone, what an incosiderate bitch...wait, what's happening again?")I mean, I don't care, if this place has clear rules on it throw her out, I just find it mind boggling that people are so annoyed by this. While at the same time choosing to sit next to people eating their dinners. I guess sound gets to me while light bothers other people.

 

[tycoonheart]

Could one of the cell phone addicts in here explain to me why it's so impossible to go a mere two hours without using your cell phone? What is so important that you can't wait until the movie's over to read and respond? The only things I can think of are emergency situations like if a loved one is hurt, but if that were the case, you wouldn't be responding with a text, you'd be running out the door.

If you turn off your phone during the movie, then turn it back on after and reply to any texts you received, what absolutely vital information will you have missed?

Ok, I'll give you an example of the last time I texted.

Was in the movies with my brother, forgot what we were watching. Girlfriend texted me asking for the garage passcode of my house. She doesn't have the keys, only way to enter for her is using the passcode. I took all of 5 secs to text her back with the code. I shielded the phone with my body as much as I could. And that was the only time I pulled the phone out during the movie. So did that 5 secs of discrete phone use really ruin someone's movie experience that day?

 

[MC Safety]

Exactly. Fucking ridiculous.

I can understand being bothered by someone constantly talking during a movie, but that's about it. How hard is it to just focus on the giant screen in front of you? Do you have that little impulse control that you're drawn to someone's cellphone glow like a moth?

Why don't we apply your notion of it not being hard to focus on the giant screen in front of you to the people who have to text during the show?

Do they have that little impulse control they can't keep their phone shut off for the duration?

See, a little empathy and a little understanding goes a long way.

 

[ScOULaris]

Why don't we apply your notion of it not being hard to focus on the giant screen in front of you to the people who have to text during the show?

Do they have that little impulse control they can't keep their phone shut off for the duration?

See, a little empathy and a little understanding goes a long way.

There's no need for impulse control in their case. They should be able to text if they want to. It's not distracting.

Granted, if someone is texting throughout an entire film I wonder, "Why even go to the movies if you're gonna be focusing on something else?"

But if we're talking about a couple of texts being sent and received, get over it. Your eye is drawn to the light for a fleeting second of the movie? Big fucking deal.

 

[Dead Man]

There's no reason for impulse control in their case. They should be able to text if they want to. It's not distracting.

Granted, if someone is texting throughout an entire film I wonder, "Why even go to the movies if you're gonna be focusing on something else?"

But if we're talking about a couple of texts being sent and received, get over it. Your eye is drawn to the light for a fleeting second of the movie? Big fucking deal.

There's your problem. It may not be to YOU, and that's cool, you are lucky. But it is to many people.

 

[coopolon]

Why don't we apply your notion of it not being hard to focus on the giant screen in front of you to the people who have to text during the show?

Do they have that little impulse control they can't keep their phone shut off for the duration?

See, a little empathy and a little understanding goes a long way.

I wholeheartedly agree. Now that I know it bothers people I'll never do it. If people did the same in regards to eating and whispering/talking I'd maybe start going to movie theaters again.

I do think y'all are crazy for being so bothered by it, but that's okay.

There's no need for impulse control in their case. They should be able to text if they want to. It's not distracting.

But if it bothers people, you should not do it just to be polite. You should especially not do it when it's explicitly against the rules of the establishment you are in.

Edit: I do wonder how many of you anti-texters eat food in non-dinner theater theaters knowing it bothers people to hear you eating it.

 

[levious]

it's not really fair to say one can't bring their kids to a theater, yet must also not have their phone on in case of an emergency. But yeah, in that case leaving the theater to take care of the call or text is the best thing to do. My phone is always on silent, but I'm not going to leave it off.

 

[Meier]

It's kinda sad.. I have this higher opinion of the average GAFfer because I feel like there's some enlightenment being here... but threads like this just destroy my skewed viewpoint. It truly takes all kinds.

 

[radios shipping overview]

Do you talk during a movie? The speakers are loud, so it shouldn't be a problem, right? Do you sit on the back of the seat while watching a movie? The screen is huge, so the people behind you shouldn't be bothered, right? Do you take your shoes and pants off during a movie? It's in the dark, nobody can see it, so it's no problem, correct? Do you smoke? No problem, right?

It all boils down to putting your habits/impulses on hold for a couple of hours out of respect for the experience of the other moviegoers in the theater. If you want to indulge your disruptive habits, watch the movie at home.

 

[Vyer]

Like I said earlier, it's still kind of fascinating to see how people who do this stuff justify it in their mind...or, in some cases, don't seem aware.

Despite the fact that people mention they don't go to the theater anymore for this reason all the time, or the fact that movie chains have been created specifically to avoid that stuff, or that pretty much every movie in any theater in the last decade has made a point of asking people not to use their cellphones/talk/etc before the movie starts....

..and yet some folks are still oblivious or just can't grasp (or apparently accept) that it is distracting. Interesting.

 

[Zoe]

How about, if you can't follow the simple fucking rules, don't go to THAT theatre? If you don't like people eating, don't go to a restaurant theatre.

It's amazing how hard it is for people to grasp this.

 

[Dead Man]

It's amazing how hard it is for people to grasp this.

Never ceases to amaze me.

 

[YuriLowell]

I also hate it when im watching a movie at my place, and my girlfriend takes out her phone and starts texting.

 

[Zaptruder]

It's kinda sad.. I have this higher opinion of the average GAFfer because I feel like there's some enlightenment being here... but threads like this just destroy my skewed viewpoint. It truly takes all kinds.

People will continue to defend points that they know are broken, for the sake of their ego and pride.

I like to think the average gaffer is smarter than the average internet user... but abandoning ego and pride in pursuit of the truth requires a bit more than the average anything IMO.

 

[Vlad]

I also hate it when im watching a movie at my place, and my girlfriend takes out her phone and starts texting.

Or even better, when she starts texting, then asks you to rewind the movie because she missed something.