How to (Easily) Ruin a Movie for People

When people think of how to ruin a movie for people, some very typical things may come to mind.  Allowing your cell phone to ring, actually talking on the phone, throwing food, etc.  What I propose is somewhat different, but to a fairly regular moviegoer, I believe it can be just as annoying, and maybe even fully ruin the movie.

I’ve always told people that when you pay for a movie, you pay for the whole thing.  This includes the preshow (even though you might not enjoy it), any food you might buy, the previews, the feature, and the credits.  The credits are important because there are people who like to sit through to the real end of the movie, perhaps see someone’s name that they know.  Even more importantly, there may be something after the credits!  Regardless of whether or not you watch them, the credits are part of your movie.  That being said, when I work and clean theatres, I try to wait until the credits are over before heading in there if at all possible.  IF someone is watching, I will try not to disturb them.

Well, today, it became pretty obvious that the average moviegoer does not feel the same way as me.  While waiting for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button to end, I was standing at the exit door, and there were a few people heading out.  I took a peek in, and saw that the theatre was still very dark, but that there were people who were pretty intently watching the credits.  It was very quiet in there, when suddenly, people started walking in behind me, talking quite loudly.  They were walking pretty fast, so I had to chase them, trying to whisper to them that the previous show had not ended.  They responded by loudly saying “Well when can I go in sit?”  After guiding them out, I informed them that when the theatre was cleaned, they could go in and sit, but the previous show had not ended yet.

Adding to that, people who had left some of their things in the theatre kept walking in and out while talking on their phones, insisting that I help them find their things.  It became more and more difficult for me to comprehend that they did not understand they were disrupting a movie!

I understand that these people may not have understood that the previous show was still going on…. despite the theatre still being dark.  Like I said though, when I go to a movie, I try to enjoy the entire thing.  Is it just me being picky about when a movie ends?  What do you think about people walking in before the previous show is over?

In my opinion, these people are great examples of Jerks at the Movies!

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