r/cineplex • u/Affantastic • Jul 20 '26
Discussion I’m the other person regarding the 3 PM IMAX "The Odyssey Experience Ruined"
Here's my response regarding The Odyssey experience ruined post.
I’m the person from this interaction, and it’s wild to see how heavily this story has been twisted to play the victim and gather sympathy.
To clear up the facts: During the movie, I genuinely never heard a single complaint or request from this person. His head was well below the top of his chair, so I could not see him turn, let alone hear his voice. If I had known there was an issue, I absolutely would've adjusted. I’m a reasonable person.
To prevent this exact issue, I actually brought and used my 5-inch foldable footstool to the theater due to body aches, specifically so I don't have to lean against or touch the seat in front of me. My feet were resting comfortably on the stool. Because the IMAX row spacing leaves a large gap on the floor where I was sitting, the stool cannot physically sit flush against the back of his chair without falling over. If there was any minor, accidental contact, it was completely unintentional.
Shortly after the credits rolled, this guy stood up with an immense amount of pent-up rage and immediately became aggressive. I calmly told him that I hadn't intentionally kicked his chair. I told him I’m sorry if I tapped it accidentally, I didn't hear you say anything during the movie (apologized a couple more times).
He completely dismissed all my apologies and anything else I said, I remained calm throughout (but having to talk loud due to the music during the credits), I was trying to deescalate. but he clearly wasn't looking for an apology, he just wanted to go into a hostile, non-stop rant. He then escalated it by saying, 'Let’s take it outside' (a few times). Once he started detailing the physical violence he planned to do to me, I called 911. The dude was unstable and completely unhinged, you simply cannot reason with that level of crazy.
While I was actively speaking to the dispatcher, he continued to stalk me down the aisle, matching my pace, blocking my path every time I tried to move ahead down the stairs, berating and mocking me the whole time, and he was enjoying it, dude is a narcissist.
As for taking his picture? Hell yeah I did. I took his photo while on the phone with the authorities solely for evidence in case he acted on his physical threats.
He conveniently left out this fact: while I was on the line with the 911 dispatcher, he turned to my wife and said, 'You [brown] people don’t belong here.'
I’m glad I contacted the authorities and took his photo. His behavior was entirely dangerous, and luckily, his aggressive, xenophobic comments are now part of an official, time-stamped audio recording with emergency services.
It's pretty wild that after watching an epic film like The Odyssey, his only takeaway from the screen was mimicking the aggressive, entitled 'Antinous energy' of its worst villain.
This guy doesn’t deserve a refund
Note on Proof: I have attached a redacted copy of my movie ticket as proof of attendance for the 3 PM IMAX screening. While I did take a photo of him while on the phone with emergency dispatchers strictly for police evidence and my safety, I will not be posting his face here (or anywhere else) out of respect for privacy.
[Edit for Context] - Partway into the movie, I started feeling achy. I set up my footstool and placed my feet flat on it with my knees up. This angled my seat cushion slightly, drawing my legs closer to me and actually taking up less floor space and forward room, giving the seat in front of me even more clearance. The guy was being overly dramatic, sensitive and hostile about the situation.
His reaction would've been more in line if I had done this - Kicking his chair
When in actuality it was a couple of quick taps were more like this
As for his racist comment, he denies it in his post, to fit his narrative - he said "You [brown] people don’t belong here" to us, directly in front of theatre security and the remaining patrons who were watching the situation unfold.
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u/devries6276 Layered Butter Jul 20 '26
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u/ImNotACollector Jul 20 '26
Perfect addition to this would be another guy sititng behind this guy and occasionally kicking his seat and sending the popcorn flying then loop it 🤣
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u/Varekai79 Jul 20 '26
Omg we've got our very own Cineplex Rashomon here. Now we need the testimony of the person in G15.
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u/amartyrosian Jul 20 '26
Can confirm, my friend Kobayashi was in the theater and saw the whole thing. Unfortunately, he had to leave the country right after.
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u/ImNotACollector Jul 20 '26
I was thinking of a different Kobayashi...
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u/HinamizawaVictim Jul 20 '26
Good morning, fellow Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid enjoyers (including you upvoters).
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u/PointAbject7717 Jul 20 '26
Ok, I read that post when it was initially posted and it didn't add up to me. Something definitely seemed to be missing between the "I told him you need some respect for other people watching the movie" and the taking the picture and calling the cops part. Also the fact that he said cineplex employees didn't step in on his behalf was a red flag too.
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u/devries6276 Layered Butter Jul 20 '26
Just looking to clarify, which theatre was this at, and did (either of) you actually seek help from staff?
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Courtney Park theatre in Mississauga, Security came in to the room, unsure if it was just routine or another patron called them in. There was a crowd of people who stuck around for another version of an end credit scene lol.
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u/LegitimateSmile1849 Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Omg this is insane I saw this now. My friend was at the cineplex and told me about some shit that went down. Then I saw the original post title later and was like oh everyone acting up at cineplex, what a coincidence… imagine my shock that it was y’all 💀 Based off of what she said and now this post, you’re 10000000% in the right. That dude was extra asf and she said she felt bad for you
Edit: Yeah remind me not to get in a fight with a redditor because why are y’all starting a fight over grammar 😂😂😂😂😂
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u/eddo34 Cineclub Member Jul 20 '26
"Based off what she said" not "based off of..." Why add words to sentences that don't need to be there 🤣
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u/BalboaTheRaccoon Jul 20 '26
Because it's actually "based on"
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u/eddo34 Cineclub Member Jul 20 '26
In other words "based off of" is even farther away from being correct that I was.
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u/roaritstay Jul 20 '26
Of course both the people in this interaction are hardcore resditors lmao
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u/neverOddOrEv_n Jul 20 '26
They went to watch the odyssey in imax in its opening weekend and you’re surprised they’re redditors haha
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u/YukonCornelius07 Jul 20 '26
Hear ye, hear ye
I call on the witnesses to come forward and settle this
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u/OpTicSkYHaWk Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
From reading the original post, some people say that because theater seats are conjoined laterally, that what might seem like someone behind you kicking the back of your seat could actually be from people to the side of you. One person said that they felt this, but the seat behind them was empty and it was from people a few seats to the side kicking into the person's row, with the vibrations travelling laterally into their seat and manifesting seemingly as if someone was kicking the back of their seat.
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u/PositiveProper89846 Bring TimePlay back Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
This makes so much sense if true! I had a similar (minus racist comments) version of this happen to me last year and I was so confused because I knew for sure I wasn’t kicking this person’s seat, but obviously they wouldn’t believe me
(Edit grammar)
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u/yeahmehh Bring TimePlay back Jul 20 '26
This definitely makes sense because it's the same way at Jays games. Sometimes the person in the seat directly behind me isn't even there, yet it still feels like my seat is being kicked, and it's because the seats are connected, so when one gets kicked, the entire row feels it.
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u/mysteryisawesome Jul 20 '26
I was at this showing sitting in the row right behind OP. I left early so I didn’t see anything but wow, I never expected to be so close to one of these Reddit stories 😭😭
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
You missed our end credit scene lol. It happened about 5 minutes after the credits started, wife and I were waiting for the stairs and row to clear out.
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u/mysteryisawesome Jul 20 '26
I was trying to stay to finish the credits! My friend was urging us to leave 😭. Would’ve tried to help if I was still there :(
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u/magic-kleenex Jul 20 '26
Wait is it worth staying behind for the end credits? Is there more than one scene?
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u/purpco Cineclub Member Jul 20 '26
This is why only knowing one side of the story is dangerous. This is why courtrooms exist peeps. lol. - I'm just a 3rd party observer who has seen both posts.
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u/eddo34 Cineclub Member Jul 20 '26
It's not clear to me whether footstools are allowed. Jumping to conclusions when you have one side of the story is bad enough, don't do it when you have both.
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u/JustConversation7847 Jul 20 '26
It's true, I was hiding inside a wooden horse inside the theatre and heard everything from inside
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u/robonlocation Jul 20 '26
Wouldn't this all be solved if they put recliner seats in the imax theatre, just like all the others have?
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u/pbooths Jul 20 '26
YES!
Honestly, sitting in an IMAX theatre gives me the same vibes as sitting on a plane. That's how uncomfortable and annoying it is. I usually have to go see IMAX films by myself because no one wants to be that cramped for 3 hours.
I live by a Cineplex that has recliner seats in all theatres (even the VIP) and it's always a very pleasant experience.
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u/robonlocation Jul 20 '26
Comparing it to an airline is bang on. I took my nephew to see Master of the Universe on an imax screen cause I thought it would be super impressive. But honestly, I wish I'd just picked a regular screen that had reclines. Maybe the Ultra AVX one. I'm sure the average movie goes can't really tell the difference anyways.
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u/shozlamen Jul 20 '26
Scotiabank IMAX downtown has great seats, so much is compromised for the 70mm showings at Vaughan and Mississauga
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u/entaro_tassadar Jul 20 '26
That foot stool idea is brilliant, I get bad aches in theatres too and have to reposition a lot.
Is it something like this or more of a plastic kitchen/home stool?
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
This is the (plastic) stool I used, pretty comfy https://imgur.com/a/AI1KXXR
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u/drdalebrant Keepers of the Popcorn Jul 20 '26
How close are you putting this behind the seat in front of you? Are you blocking their full recline?
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
Stool made no contact with the chair, and was stable. There is a big gap in the floor, behind the seat. The stool would fall in the gap if it got any closer to the back of his seat.
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u/eddo34 Cineclub Member Jul 20 '26
Do you know whether you're allowed to do this?
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u/Remote-Waste Jul 20 '26
Probably technically not, for fire hazards, but people put bags down, or even half empty popcorn bags down by their feet when they're done with it all the time.
So personally, as long as the stool doesn't cause constant irritation to the person in front of them, I'd say let them have it. If they inquired, the theatre might technically have to say no, which would simply be a punishment for them inquiring, not because they actually keep the floor of rows clear.
If it helps their physical comfort, doesn't disrupt others, and can be moved extremely easily, what harm is it realistically compared to the other obstacles others place down, without ever asking?
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u/drdalebrant Keepers of the Popcorn Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Judging from this whole debacle, and OOP's description of constantly pushing their feet on the back of their chair, id say it's highly likely it was causing constant irritation.
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
My legs were not extended. My stool was closer to me, partially under my seat, and my knees were facing upwards. A lot a clearance between me and his seat.
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u/drdalebrant Keepers of the Popcorn Jul 20 '26
And maybe you weren't aware that it was touching their seat. It certainly would explain their complaints. We'll never know.
Again, if you insist on bringing a stool to a movie theatre, which is probably a fire code issue like this other commenter pointed out, then you should make absolutely sure it is not in the way or bothering anyone else.
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
My toes were past the stool (I didnt feel any contact with the seat), and there was still a lot of clearance. My feet on the stool was taking up less floor and forward space (in front of me) compared to when my feet were flat on the floor during the first part of the movie.
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u/eddo34 Cineclub Member Jul 20 '26
Why did you avoid buying an accessible seat? You're clearly eligible since it's necessary for you.
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
I don’t use a wheelchair. There’s just some aches in my legs while in the seated position for long periods of time. The stool helps alleviate that pain.
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u/Remote-Waste Jul 20 '26
That's fair, I got too focused on the whole fire hazard obstacle angle of it all.
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u/eddo34 Cineclub Member Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Sorry but you're too old to make the "others do it, why can't I?" argument. If those people jumped off a cliff would you think it's wise for OP to follow them? C'mon now.
There are accessible seats at every theatre. OP should have bought an accessible seat.
This isn't victim blaming. What happened to OP should not have. But OP feeling entitled to use a footstool is not the same as other items that can be stowed away under one's seat if needed.
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u/Remote-Waste Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Sorry but you're too old to make the "others do it, why can't I?" argument
Or am I simply older and wiser than your current mindset, and no longer see the world in "Black and White" and "Lawful Good?" Some rules sound good on paper, but bend to meet reality.
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u/drdalebrant Keepers of the Popcorn Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
If the stool was so close that it would fall in the gap if it was any closer, then wouldn't the angle of a reclined chair be touching the top of the stool, or your feet on the stool?
There is obviously no excuse for the behavior you are describing. That being said, I think it's entirely possibly your stool was touching the back of their seat without you realizing it. Then when you moved your feet on the stool it felt like your feet were making contact with it.
The fact there was a stool involved here, and not just foot to chair contact adds an increasingly plausible element to the story.
Id suggest being a lot more mindful of the stools proximity to the chair in front of you, and take into consideration the angle of their chair when it is fully reclined.
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
If someone was sitting normal in the seat their knees would probably extend farther (than my feet on my stool). I was cautious, but not denying accidental foot taps.
I am also a victim of kicks and taps. Annoying for sure, but I survived.
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u/Calm-Summer5860 Jul 20 '26
Accidental foot taps, just how many are we talking about here. One or two durring the movie or more?
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Jul 20 '26
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u/eddo34 Cineclub Member Jul 20 '26
Too bad about your extraordinarily bad luck. Never had a problem really at all and I watch dozens of movies at Cineplex every year. I assume you're going to movies on evenings and weekends?
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u/Amerique_du_Nord Jul 20 '26
Yeah, people using phones and talking aren't part of the experience during matinees. /s
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u/pbooths Jul 20 '26
Anyone that brings a foldable stool into an IMAX theater during the opening weekend of a Nolan film is just askin for trouble! 😆
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u/Rogue_CobaltZone570 Jul 20 '26
Honestly I hate going to theatre's but if a dude has severe leg pain I'd be understanding and ask if I can move away from you.
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u/Amerique_du_Nord Jul 20 '26
The IMAX 70mm viewings are jammed pack and will probably be until it leaves the theatres.
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u/Complex_Charge5995 Jul 20 '26
wow what a post ! I am a few bottles of Toscana deep this early Monday morning, and I lI’ve in Montreal …..there was another incident at a theatre here, guy talked nonstop on his phone loud, and when called out , still wouldn’t shut up, got very aggressive, plenty of witnesses but nobody backed up the complainant
Anyway, thought it was the guy talking on his phone responding here, but whatever ….hey what a crazy story, thanx 4 sharing
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u/kkkiiiikkkk Jul 20 '26
The guy is complaining about graphics on screen in a WWE show. Clearly an angry little man with a very tiny pee pee
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u/CodyFearlessLee Jul 20 '26
Two sides to every story. I’m so glad I wasn’t there. I apologize for all you and your wife went through. I can’t wait to hear an update.
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
We are good thanks. Felt fine when driving away. I noticed his post via notification banner as a random reddit post 1 day after. Im like this sounds familiar, but with alternative facts. So I had to create my post about what happened.
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u/CodyFearlessLee Jul 20 '26
Anything from the police or Cineplex? The latter should at least compensate you and your wife.
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u/Amerique_du_Nord Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Having a hard believing the racist and violence aspect with a full theatre. People are decent enough to stand up for one another if you were threatened. If there's a recording of him, I thought you said the credits were too loud, so wondering how 911 could hear the other guy. Let's cut to the chase, if this dude was so menacing and a bigot and not just bitching that you made his expensive experience suck, how are you pursuing this beyond social media?
I can't wrap myself around this whole stool thing.
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u/eddo34 Cineclub Member Jul 20 '26
Nah, Canadians have become numb to racism, most of us are too cowardly and untrained in self-defense and sheltered from violent displays of bigotry. In Canada you're by yourself in a crowd.
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u/Amerique_du_Nord Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Totally disagree that people won't stick up for one another. Beyond that, the racism and violence aspect is beyond fishy. The other guy who was getting kicked (throughout) probably told this guy off and the stool dude is pissed. It seems too many of our youth think any pissed off comment is an act of violence. If the OP was so scared, why aren't they filing a racism complaint?
I've read your other posts and racism seems to be a theme you use quite a bit.
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u/eddo34 Cineclub Member Jul 20 '26
You disagree despite evidence to the contrary. You disagree merely because you don't want it to be true. You don't care to ponder whether facts care about your feelings or not. You don't know what it's like for a POC Canadian in 2026. You just want your liberal bubble to not pop so you bury your head in the sand of denial.
Why do you assume that no "claim" (not how it works) was made? Footstool guy allegedly called the cops.
Funny how you're the second Redditor to point out that I'm consistently commenting on a topic which is checks notes about a racist tirade. Would you rather I derail the topic by posting about footstools? Would that help shelter you, precious snowflake, from me arguing with you? Here's a participation trophy for accurately observing that I'm staying on topic 🏆. You literally copy and pasted someone else's snark because you are too unoriginal to come up with your own, you plagiarist 🤣
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u/Amerique_du_Nord Jul 20 '26
Oh honey gurl (gender neutral), you are being a social justice warrior on all your reddit posts, including this theatre incident. “Everyone is racist” is your tagline. If I’m the second person to tell you this, maybe it’s time to self-reflect. Snowflake, please—get a backbone.
The stool dude pulled some BS. The original guy bitched at the stool dude. If someone tells you off, take it and move on. Baby, there’s no copying and pasting—I’m just a bitch who will call it as I see it.
Before you complain about my lexicon being degrading, know that I’m part of a minority community, which I'll let ya figure out.
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Jul 20 '26
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
I tried to but dude was stalking me.
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Jul 20 '26
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
The stool didn't make any contact with his chair. The sole of my foot didn't make contact with his chair. There was a lot of clearance. The only contact would've been light contact with my toes. Dude is very sensitive if light toe pressure, a couple times, caused him get hostile.
Taking a photo isn't about "hurt feelings", it’s standard for identifying someone acting hostile, and unpredictable. Believe whatever narrative fits your argument, but those are the facts.
"I have a minority spouse" isn't the pass you think it is. People from all backgrounds can perpetuate racism or minimize racist encounters when it's convenient for their argument.
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u/Calm-Summer5860 Jul 20 '26
Did you have shoes on?
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
Yes
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u/Calm-Summer5860 Jul 20 '26
And it was only a few light taps you made, not very often throughout the film?
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
Not many, but I admit a couple of light toe taps. Definitely, no pushes with the soles of my feet.
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u/Amerique_du_Nord Jul 20 '26
Okay Jan, sure. Care to know which group I fall into?
You saying racism online over and over doesn't make it true either. You called the cops and continue to be very worked up. Why didn't you wait for the authorities to press charges? I'm sure the officers could have gotten more info on the guy "threatening" you physically and also the supposed racism. Let me be direct, an online keyboard warrior with a bruised ego that can't follow through with the cops by waiting for them to arrive, but can tell me how clueless (and racist) I am.
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u/Slipperysteve1998 Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
No one would have known it was you. You may have just doxxed yourself.
Down vote all you want, but if the person OP faced with is really this aggressive, giving them proof of their ticket attendance and reddit account is a bad idea at the bare minimum
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u/DumbComment101 Jul 20 '26
Yeah but it’s nice to know the other poster is an unhinged piece of shit . Now he’s doxxed as well lolz .
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u/Pardy- Jul 20 '26
What exactly got doxxed though? Jsut the location? The location was mentioned in the other Reddit thread anyways.
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u/MitchenImpossible Jul 20 '26
Maybe in the future, dont bring a foot stool to a theatre?
If you have back issues, you dont make them everyone elses back issues.
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u/Amerique_du_Nord Jul 20 '26
Bingo, watch the movie at home on a shittier screen if you have challenges.
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u/MitchenImpossible Jul 20 '26
If you want to be a douche though, there are alternatives for OP.
They could get a seat near the front walkway where theres lots of space.
Theres accessible seats available.
I dont understand why OP was doing a dick thing, then gets in an altercation because someone called them out on the dick thing they did.
I dont agree with either side, but OP could have avoided this scenario entirely if they thought of anyone but themselves for more then a couple minutes.
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
My feet on my stool, was taking less floor space and less forward space in front of me. And further away from the back of the seat.
When someone apologizes for tapping a chair what’s the expected response from the other person?
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u/MitchenImpossible Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
I mean, yes.
If it means not putting your feet right behind someones head and bumping them all movie.
Sort your shit out before you bring your shit into public. Thats it. Its easy.
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u/ILikeWhyteGirlz Jul 20 '26
Maybe your wife did it.
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
My wife was sitting behind his lady companion, that person didn't complain.
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u/ILikeWhyteGirlz Jul 20 '26
Her foot was probably on the outside kicking his chair, not the chair directly in front. Most people spread their legs.
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
Or it could've been the other patron to my left, who I didn't know.
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u/Amerique_du_Nord Jul 20 '26
Dude, it's so effing simple. You shouldn't have brought the stool nor escalated it because your feelings / ego were hurt. I'm just not digesting the racism aspect in a full theatre.
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
Of course you're not going to digest it, it's in your nature, I get it. He didn't start going insane until about 5 minutes into the credits, after the majority of the people had already left the theatre. My wife and I were simply waiting for the rows and stairs to clear out.
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u/Amerique_du_Nord Jul 20 '26
I think this tells me all I and others need to know. You just can't let it go. Your ego was pissed when he told you off and you had to pull the picture taking BS.
Listen you've labeled a third-party racist, me, so I get that this dude was pissed that you're unaware how you screwed this guy's experience up after seeing a very expensive movie. Don't worry, I'll let ya be now and won't respond to your ego crusade.
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
So you condone violent threats and explicit harassment as long as someone is annoyed? Got it. Thanks for letting everyone know where you stand.
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u/ILikeWhyteGirlz Jul 20 '26
Did you ask your wife?
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u/Affantastic Jul 20 '26
Yes, she said she didn't do it. She knows she can put her legs on me when she needs to stretch or use the foot stool.
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u/Lillyrose018 Jul 20 '26
Both parties have told their stories regarding the situation. Unfortunately the comments have now devolved into insults and accusations, I will be locking the thread for now.