The theater is empty and you have to sit there...

[smok3h]

Well this isn't really that big of a deal, but I just needed some place to vent about this. Yesterday I went to an early show of The Incredible Hulk. I get there about 2 minutes before the show starts and it is a completely empty theater. Personally I love it when it's only me or like 1 or other person in the theater so I can have my space and then I don't have to deal with annoying people. But then, about a minute later, a couple comes into the theater, pick the row right in front of mine and sit down, not right in front of me, but in the seat next to the one right in front of me. So basically I'm sitting there thinking, "are you fucking kidding me? There is a whole empty theater and you have to sit right there? WHERE IS THE BUFFER ZONE?!" Now I like people just fine but shit I mean when there is that many seats to sit in why would you choose to sit so close. I don't know, maybe I'm just being really anti-social but It annoyed the hell out of me.

A similar thing happened to me when I went and saw Harold and Kumar. Completely empty theater except for me, and then these 3 kids come out and sit down right behind me. I mean c'mon, give a man some space.

Anyone else get like this?

[jaw2929]

Yep, I get like that ALL the time. As soon as I see it happen, I bolt right up and move further the fuck away. I loathe people for doing shit like that!

[Tweek]

LOL
Theater stories. My favorite one is when watching The Departed... I had quite big hair. So a man and woman are walking the empty row behind us and I hear the woman say "I don't care where we sit as long as it's nobody with big hair." And then I realize she plopped down behind me. Was she expecting a battle of wills? I dunno. I'll leave now.

[BanksIsDaFuture]

And why didn't you just move?

[fooknasty]

And why didn't you just move?

He shouldn't have to. Some people just don't have any thought for other people.

This has happened to me (or me and my girlfriend) before. A couple has plopped down like right in front of us, when there are like 7 people in the theater. And I go to a Kerasotes 13, which has like huge ass stadium seating. There is no reason for someone to set up shop right behind or in front of me.

I also often go to the theater alone, especially during the afternoon shows, when there are no people. It annoys the hell out of me when this shit happens.

[BanksIsDaFuture]

It has nothing to do with "having to". He doesn't want to sit near people, so move away from people. Seems pretty straight forward.

People can sit wherever the fuck they want, if YOU don't like that they're are sitting close to you, then what's the only option? Unless you're built like a linebacker, I'm pretty sure they're not gonna move just for you. So get your ass up and move.

Instead of sitting through the whole movie mad at something so petty and then going on the internetz and whining about it, it could've been a non-issue in 10 seconds.

[EvilHenchman]

I disagree, Smok3h: This is, in fact, a VERY big deal. There ought to be some understood, implied rule for this situation.

[cuddleworthy]

This is probably one of my main annoyances when I go to the theatre. If a situation like this would present itself, I would either: move to another seat, or rest my feet on top of the person who moved in front of me. It depends on how lazy I feel then, but I usually wind up doing the latter.

[JohnLocke2342]

It has nothing to do with "having to". He doesn't want to sit near people, so move away from people. Seems pretty straight forward.

People can sit wherever the fuck they want, if YOU don't like that they're are sitting close to you, then what's the only option? Unless you're built like a linebacker, I'm pretty sure they're not gonna move just for you. So get your ass up and move.

Instead of sitting through the whole movie mad at something so petty and then going on the internetz and whining about it, it could've been a non-issue in 10 seconds.

I'm sure if you were in a movie theater by yourself and a couple came in and sat in front of you, u might get a LITTLE bit annoyed. And relax man.. u seem so fucking hostile. Nobody is whining, this is what the rant section is for. If you don't wanna hear his stories then don't read em. Simple as that.

[Potzer! 37]

i think I may be guilty of this (though I always show up early).

I don't care who I sit next to or annoy or how empty the theater is. I have a seat I like (Pretty much the exact center, unless the theater is set up weird) and I'm gonna sit as close as possible to that spot even it means sitting next to the only other person in the theater and that person has a gun and a shirt that reads "I don't like people". Deal with it.

It has nothing to do with them...I just want to sit where I want to sit. I mean, I get annoyed if someone sits in front of me (I like to put my feet up) but I don't think it's a personal thing. They want to sit there and that means I can't put my feet up. I deal with it.

I mean, unless the person(s) who sits near you are (a) Very visibly sick, (b) very obviously stinky or covered in something that stinks or (c) very talkative and chose the spot to converse with you throughout the film, what's the big deal?

[smok3h]

I'm sure if you were in a movie theater by yourself and a couple came in and sat in front of you, u might get a LITTLE bit annoyed. And relax man.. u seem so fucking hostile. Nobody is whining, this is what the rant section is for. If you don't wanna hear his stories then don't read em. Simple as that.
Thank you, that pretty much sums up my response to Banks's post.

I'm glad to see that I am not the only one who gets annoyed by this. I guess the reason it is annoying is because you have all this space, and we as humans inherently want our own space. It's like if you're sitting on a couch watching something, and someone sits down on the couch right next to you on the middle cushion, when they could easily be sitting on the far end of the couch. When space can be given, give it.

[The Postmaster General]

LOL
Theater stories. My favorite one is when watching The Departed... I had quite big hair. So a man and woman are walking the empty row behind us and I hear the woman say "I don't care where we sit as long as it's nobody with big hair." And then I realize she plopped down behind me. Was she expecting a battle of wills? I dunno. I'll leave now.

And why didn't you just move?


Banks - You didn't read that correctly. Tweek stated that the woman was complaining about having to sit behind someone with big hair, and subsequently sat behind Tweek, who in no way had any reason, will, or desire to move. It was the person who was sitting behind Tweek that was complaining, and the point was that they put themselves in that position.






I bring up this story every time this topic comes up, but when Grumpy Old Men came out, me and 3 others went to see it, and these two senior ladies sat right down next to me in a mostly empty theater. They like just joined in. It was kind of cool, but I still had fun with it, and kept turning to them to repeat jokes. Adam Sandler just recently had released his comedy tape, so I kept talking to them in a jackass voice. It was good fun, and now I have that memory and I'm sure they talked about the sweet retarded boy they sat next to at the theater.

[thedudeman69]

I have a solution for this problem. Just sit way up there in the nosebleeds. I have done that for two movies, and it works like a charm.

[dellamorte dellamore]

Jeez , it's a movie theater , a public place , there is always a chance someone will sit close to or next to you , i don't get this rant , it seems rather petty . Maybe they sat in that particular spot because they feel it's the best place to enjoy the movie , the surround sound and such . They may have been annoyed because you were sitting in the seats that they wanted but they got there too late , so they did the next best thing and sat in the general area .

Seriously man , unless they sat in front of you and obstructed your view , it doesn't make sense that this would annoy you , because again , it's a movie theater , unless there are reserved seats , they can sit wherever they want .

[jackson13]

I had this happen to me so many times I am now used to it. It used to bother me but it got to the point of where I would sit there and expect it, and sure enough it would happen, and I just learned to deal with it over time.

Start expecting it and then, the rare times it doesnt happen, you'll be elated.

[smok3h]

, i don't get this rant , it seems rather petty.

Well this isn't really that big of a deal,


Seriously man , unless they sat in front of you and obstructed your view , it doesn't make sense that this would annoy you , because again , it's a movie theater , unless there are reserved seats , they can sit wherever they want .

It's like if you're sitting on a couch watching something, and someone sits down on the couch right next to you on the middle cushion, when they could easily be sitting on the far end of the couch or like in a chair that's in the room. When space can be given, give it.

It's just about having respect for other people's space. Maybe you love having people right next to when there are other places they can sit, great, good for you. But a lot of people don't. I understand it's a public place and people can sit wherever they want. It's not like I got pissed and said "holy fuck you have to move now, YOU CAN'T SIT THERE :mad:"

Like I said before it really isn't THAT big of a deal, but it is something that annoys me, and obviously judging by the responses, other people too.

[BanksIsDaFuture]

It's just about having respect for other people's space. Maybe you love having people right next to when there are other places they can sit, great, good for you. But a lot of people don't. I understand it's a public place and people can sit wherever they want. It's not like I got pissed and said "holy fuck you have to move now, YOU CAN'T SIT THERE :mad:"

Like I said before it really isn't THAT big of a deal, but it is something that annoys me, and obviously judging by the responses, other people too.

My point was this was a pretty stupid thing to get mad about and pretty easy to solve at that.

And it has nothing to do with "respect". Why should someone respect a complete strangers wishes of sitting on a island in the middle of a theater? I dunno, I guess I just hate how many people think they deserve respect for the littlest things. Why can't you respect their wishes to sit where they want? Why do you deserve more "respect" than they do?

I think this is the reason I usually avoid the Rant section. :confused:

[smok3h]

And it has nothing to do with "respect". Why should someone respect a complete strangers wishes of sitting on a island in the middle of a theater? I dunno, I guess I just hate how many people think they deserve respect for the littlest things. Why can't you respect their wishes to sit where they want? Why do you deserve more "respect" than they do?
:
Well maybe you disagree that it has nothing to do with respect but I respectfully disagree with your disagreement ;)

[Tweek]

Banks - You didn't read that correctly. Tweek stated that the woman was complaining about having to sit behind someone with big hair, and subsequently sat behind Tweek, who in no way had any reason, will, or desire to move. It was the person who was sitting behind Tweek that was complaining, and the point was that they put themselves in that position.







Indeed, Bubba. It was dumbfounding is what is was.

And my hair was a mild 'fro at best.:)

[Potzer! 37]

Well maybe you disagree that it has nothing to do with respect but I respectfully disagree with your disagreement ;)

How is this disrespectful? People are gonna do whatever the hell they want to do. They didn't block your view did they? The sat where they were allowed to sit, presumably because they thought those where the best seats.

When you show up to a theater with people, do you look for the seat that's furtherest away from anybody or the seat that you think you'll enjoy the movie best from?

Like I said in my above post....it's a public theater and people are gonna sit where they want and you've got no reason to complain unless they talk to you, block the screen or stink or throw-up on you or something.

Deal with it...do you also complain about long lines at grocery stores? Or someone parking close to you in parkinglots so they can have a good spot?

Sheesh.

[fooknasty]

It's just inconsiderate is all.

Yes, I would be pissed off if I was the only car in the parking lot and some jackass parked right next to me.

If I get to the theater early and pick the "good seat" (or whatever the fuck that means, considering there are really no bad seats), then that area is mine. I am not talking about a huge buffer zone, but holy shit, don't set up shop right in front or behind me.

If you want your supposed "good" seat, show up early enough so that you can get it.

There are plenty of "good" seats in the theatre. Be considerate, and don't sit on my lap.

[Potzer! 37]

It's just inconsiderate is all.

Yes, I would be pissed off if I was the only car in the parking lot and some jackass parked right next to me.

If I get to the theater early and pick the "good seat" (or whatever the fuck that means, considering there are really no bad seats), then that area is mine. I am not talking about a huge buffer zone, but holy shit, don't set up shop right in front or behind me.

If you want your supposed "good" seat, show up early enough so that you can get it.

There are plenty of "good" seats in the theatre. Be considerate, and don't sit on my lap.

How is sitting behind you the same as sitting in your lap?
How is it a jackass thing to do the park close to the store?
How is it in considerate unless the person blocked you in the spot or parked so close you can't get in?

I like the seat that I like and I'm gonna sit there. I do go early, but there are times when people get there before me. So I sit as close as I can to the middle of the theater so I can look directly at the screen and not up, or down, or to the left or right.

How is it not inconsiderate to think of a whole area as your own? It's not. If you NEED that much space then don't go out in public, like Nicholson in As Good as it Gets.

If someone was to ask if you minded would you really tell them you prefer that they sit out of your buffer zone or would you grit your teeth and say you didn't mind because you know demanding they sit a certain number of seats away from you in a public theater is asinine?

[fooknasty]

If someone was to ask if you minded would you really tell them you prefer that they sit out of your buffer zone or would you grit your teeth and say you didn't mind because you know demanding they sit a certain number of seats away from you in a public theater is asinine?

I would turn around and say "Hey, what the fuck man? There are 350 other seats in this big ass place, and you decide to sit right behind me, chewing your fucking popcorn, with your bitch ass girlfriend talking the whole time? I have a 4 seat minimum that you must adhere to at all times, and you are currently at 3." I would then proceed to punch him in the brain repeatedly, screaming "To hell with you, you inconsiderate PRICK!" :mad:

Seriously though, there are no rules to how this shit works. Maybe I am crazy as hell to think that it is rude that someone sit right next to you when there is an empty theatre.

[Potzer! 37]

I would turn around and say "Hey, what the fuck man? There are 350 other seats in this big ass place, and you decide to sit right behind me, chewing your fucking popcorn, with your bitch ass girlfriend talking the whole time? I have a 4 seat minimum that you must adhere to at all times, and you are currently at 3." I would then proceed to punch him in the brain repeatedly, screaming "To hell with you, you inconsiderate PRICK!" :mad:

Seriously though, there are no rules to how this shit works. Maybe I am crazy as hell to think that it is rude that someone sit right next to you when there is an empty theatre.

I'm hoping the "seriously though" up there means the first paragraph was all in jest.

[smok3h]

I don't care if I have to sit by someone or anything if there are a lot of people in the theater, of course people are going to try and get the best seat then. The whole point of this thread is to rant about when people do it when the theater is EMPTY. When the theater is empty there are going to be plenty of other great seats besides the ones right by me, so why set up shop right there?

[Scarfather]

I get where you're coming from, but it's a matter of two different kinds of people.

I know plenty in both categories. Some just like to be near other people while seeing a movie, that's what one of the benefits (usually) of going to the theater are, everyone's reactions intermingle and bounce off of each other, you laugh, they laugh, you scream, they scream, it's a social thing. Then there are people who just want to watch the movie. I don't really lean either way.

If I was walking into the theater and saw only one other person there, I wouldn't automatically gravitate towards them but when our roles are reversed, I don't mind if they sit near me.

[dellamorte dellamore]

I bet if it was an attractive lady all by herself , you wouldn't have any complaints :D

[fooknasty]

I bet if it was an attractive lady all by herself , you wouldn't have any complaints :D

Haha, well played sir. ;)

[max314]

Yeah, that really pisses me off.

Whatcha want? A hug? Move down a fucking row!

[Mr.HyDe807]

I would think of this annoyance as not a major thing, just something that twinges certain people that are in that situation. It's not like their whole movie experience is ruined, but probably just a flash-in-a-pan type of thing, it comes and goes....you deal with it.

Did it constitute a whole thread......maybe not? However, other people are in agreement, so maybe he was wondering if other people felt that way.

Me? I'd probably would be all "dammit, why there?", but just be on a merry move watching way. That is, unless, they are annoying as fuck.:D

[Danger^Cart]

I'll play antagonist here, if only for sport, and present the counter-argument.

You chose to sit in prime theater real estate.

Granted this is based entirely on assumption, but knowing the psyche of a movie geek, I'm willing to bet my kidney you intrinsically sought out the center of theaters short and long axis.

Though the average assholes senses may not be as intuned as as geeks, they too seek out, though not with the same precision and accuracy, this viewing "hotspot," thus impeding your "space," though if no one was meant to sit there, it would just be empty space, or maybe a sarlaac pit. That would be surprisingly appropriate, I think.

True, you showed up first, so you have every right to claim that sweet chewey center....of the theater, but in doing so you should be prepared to reape the consequences.

If you want quarantine, shower yourself with anthrax. Or, for a less desperate solution, sit on the far right. Nobody likes those seats. They fucking suck.

In closing...everything I just said is bullshit. I complete agree with you, and whenever I find myself in a similar situation, I react violently. Usually I just follow the future victim to their house and...well, I won't divulge my actions here, but it rhymes with parson.

[Miss Butterfly]

Frequent situation...

[EvilHenchman]

I bet if it was an attractive lady all by herself , you wouldn't have any complaints :D

I disagree. It has nothing to do - most often, anyways - with the type of person who does this.

It's all about personal space and comfort, bottom line. Smok3h tried the couch seating analogy to no avail, so how 'bout another same situation, different setting scenario?

You're riding an empty subway, bus, trolley - some form of public transportation without assigned seating - and someone boards, overlooks the several unoccupied seats, and decides to plop down right next to you. I don't care who you are, that's going to make you pretty darn uncomfortable - and quite likely, annoyed - on some level. Odds are, however, no one in his or her right mind would commit such a deed because there are certain unspoken societal "rules" against it.

Same thing should be true for mostly empty theater seating is all we're saying. Folks need to respect the movie seating space and comfort zones.

[Potzer! 37]

If the quality of the subway ride depended on which seat you chose this would be a correct analogy...but it's not.

On a subway everybodies going the same place and the seats don't matter...

In a theater the enjoyment of the film is related to where I sit, and not just because of the people around me. If I'm too far off to one side I'll be annoyed and distracted the whole time.

The only way the subway thing works is if you wanted prime seating for the exit which would only be nessacary if the car were full as opposed to empty when you'd have plenty of time to exit as no one would be in your way.

[EvilHenchman]

Actually, I like my analogy just fine, and I think it works, since this wasn't about prime seating. It was about comfort/buffer zones.

Still, I do see where you're going with your premise, and that's fine too. Unfortunately, it's still gonna be a little annoying whenever your need for prime seating infringes upon my desire for space in an otherwise empty theater house.

[fooknasty]

In a theater the enjoyment of the film is related to where I sit, and not just because of the people around me. If I'm too far off to one side I'll be annoyed and distracted the whole time.

So, you can't enjoy a movie if you don't have your "perfect seat" in the theater?

[SkyNet]

ha... i know this all to well!

When i go to the movies, i get there early... and i always have to have my one buffer seat, dont sit next to me, please! I dont like ot sit next to people i dont know... even at sold out shows.. i get there early, i go all the way to the top... and generally i have my date or friend to my left or right and then on the other side i have a 1 seat buffer.. even in a sold out show... my theory is, if you want a good seat, get your ass there earlier than after the lights have gone down... they can sit their asses in the front.

In an empty theater.. that would drive me nuts if there was a TON of space and some people came and sat right near me!

[Potzer! 37]

So, you can't enjoy a movie if you don't have your "perfect seat" in the theater?

Of course I can enjoy a movie without my favorite seat...I just enjoy it less the further away from it I am. It's not about the seat it's about the angle of the screen. I dunno about where your live, but my theaters have a "sweet spot". Too far to one side or the other and I'll be turing my head the whole time. Too close up, I'll be craneing my neck, and too far back I'll be looking down...plus the light from the projection booth bothers me if I'm too close to it as well.

What about you? Can you not enjoy a movie if someone has broken your sheild of privacy?

[a7xfan]

christ im getting sick of some of the members on here acting like fucking priests.


'lets all get along, be happy people, no one can get annoyed. everyone is brothers and sisters.....and rainbows shine out my ass'

its getting fucking old, of course you would be annoyed if this happened, one person in the theatre, and a guy go and sits near them.

i mean its just common courtasy, you just don't do that, repect peoples space. dont sit your ass next to them when there is an empty room.
its the same on buses when there is alot of empty seats, and some fucker comes and sits next to you. annoying!

this pointless debate reminds me of a thread no to long ago about people keeping seats in the cinema, when a couple of people were trying to argue for pointless reasons, its dumb. really is.

[The Postmaster General]

I thought Danger Cart made a great fucking point. Why should any one person have the sole rights to prime cinema seating? It's not about being kind and getting along, but about being a selfish anti-socialite who wants to act like the cool kids in the cafeteria, except without the muscle or talking skills to actually enforce the dumb rule that no one can sit in their section.

That's okay. I'm still wearing my fake old timey mustache at Hot Topic to make sure no one scams in on our cool-man There Will Be Blood gang and buys a T-shirt.

[hasselbrad]

So, you can't enjoy a movie if you don't have your "perfect seat" in the theater?

I break out in hives.

[JoNuggs]

I get it. This happens to me from time to time. The point being that the theater is almost completely empty and, for whatever reason, the other people feel compelled to sit closer than OP's comfortable with.

I went and saw an early morning screening of The Incredibles when it came out. There was nobody else in the theater at all, just myself. So about three minutes to showtime a couple and their three children come in and sit right. next. to. me.

Long story short, the kids were the most well-behaved movie goers I have ever, ever been in a theater with. I even complimented the parents when the movie was over about how great their kids behaved.

Still, I've always asked myself why they had to sit right next to me.

[RustyRazor]

Hey.
It's a theater of fifty - sixty seats.
And anybody should be able to sit anywhere.
You paid for your ticket, you have that right.
If you're anti social, maybe going to theaters isn't for you.





THAT BEING SAID...

I'm one of those anti social individuals.
I pay $10 fucking dollars to go and see a movie, I choose a section in the theater only a student at fucking Hogwarts can fucking find and I don't want anyone sitting the fuck around me.

WHY you ask?

Because usually (99.4% of the time), the persons that actually look to sit near me are:

A ) The type that talk before, during, and after the film
B ) Are there to critique the fucking film
C ) Bring fucking uncultured, beast like children that tend to ignore the film and find pleasure in screaming and yelling like they're being beaten
D ) Smell like three day old Indian food packed in a dirty diaper

Now look, I'm no one special.
It's me, y'all. Rusty.
And I'm not gonna ask much of anyone.
But when I take my oversized ass out to a theater to enjoy some cinametic splendor, and I've spent my friggin hard earned ten spot, and I'm huddled in a corner of the fucking movie theater so that you WON'T sit next to me and speak so loudly about your mother's latest yeast infection, I would appreciate if you and your emo brood would sit in one of the 55 other seats that occupy the theater!

I should move because little Kenny Crotchkisser decided to park his Sketchers on the seat behind me because it's his right to act like an asshole, I have a right to be pissed off and feel like he can do the same thing in another part of the theater without bothering me.

Courtesy is a dying form and as I look around, all I see is people trying hard to kill it off.
They're called assholes.
You can call me one for saying so, but I know I'm not alone in my rant here.

[The Postmaster General]

One time, Rusty, I was in the theater before the crowd got there and sort of playing around, running through the aisles. I can't remember I think I ran up 2, then like back 3, one over, over... something... but this hallway appeared before me and I was scared and turned around, but always sort of wondered what that was all about. These seats you speak of, is there a connection there?



Kudos to JoNuggs for not staring those kids down. They probably thought he was their friend.

[DodgersFan11]

I guess I don't see the issue here. 80% of the theaters nowadays are stadium seating anyway, so it's not like if someone sits in front of you that they are obstructing your view. By your rationale those people have the right to be pissed at you for sitting directly behind them, whether you were there first or not. People can sit where they want, it's about preference. Unless they are physically disrupting your experience then there is nothing logically wrong with the situation. Get up and move if it bothers you that much.

The only thing I can see bothering you would be that you can't put your feet on the seat in front of you, which you aren't even supposed to do anyway. Now if the theater is empty and they sit RIGHT next to you, that I can understand. That just makes one uncomfortable unless they had no choice but to sit next to you. But even then they have every right to sit there as much as you do where you're at. If the seat is available, full or empty theater, then who are any of us to say that it's wrong for them to sit there?

[muttly69]

What are you? King of the forest?

[fooknasty]

What about you? Can you not enjoy a movie if someone has broken your sheild of privacy?

A lot of the times, no. Rusty said it right, the majority of the people who invade your personal space are douche bags anyway.

I have a perfect story for this thread, and I was thinkning about this thread when this happened Sunday night.

So, my girlfriend and I go to a 9:20 showing of Get Smart. We arrive at the theatre, which has 200 seats per screen, at about 9:00. At that time, there were two other people in the place (a couple), that was sitting toward the bottom off to the right. I tell my GF that we should sit all the way at the top, off towards the left. We do.

About 9:15 rolls around and the theatre now has about 12-13 people in it, all scattered about the entire place. 9:25 rolls around, and the previews are well under way, when 4 teenage guys and 2 teenage girls walk in. There are, no joke, 200 seats in this place, and where do you think these 6 people decided to set up shop? In the same aisle as me, 3 seats down. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?

Needless to say, they talked so loud the entire time. I kept seeing people looking back and staring at them (an older couple about three rows down), and I was getting annoyed as hell. Eventually, I walked over to them and told them to literally shut their mouths (which is weird for me becuase they seemed like they were 18-19 years old, and shit I am only 21).

Perfect example of how this shit works. While I was annoyed as fuck, I had a smile on my face because I knew I was going to be able to bust this story out right here. :D

[muttly69]

J/k. It’s like the un-written law of the guy’s restroom. Try to leave a urinal empty(if you can) between two guys peeing.

[The Postmaster General]

Even worse is when you're out drinking and someone takes the urinal next to your just to start up a conversation. Next thing you know, you're doing lines in a bathroom stall, only to realize it was cut with rohypnol and later find yourself waking up in full bondage gear and tied to a rafter.

Yeah, suddenly going to the movies ain't seeming so bad!