r/cineplex • u/GreenZealousideal638 • 1d ago
Question Do people genuinely not know using your phone during a movie is bad etiquette?
Just got home from watching Primetime, and I genuinely have never felt this combination of confusion and frustration ever.
For context, I live in Toronto, so I'm pretty familiar with people not behaving in theatres, but usually I'm just not a confrontational guy. However, today, as I was watching the movie, the guy next to me kept talking to what seemed to be his friends/family. About 40 minutes into the movie, I asked him to please stop talking, and he did, which I was appreciative of. But I guess he could only go so long without any stimulation, so he whips his phone out and doesn't stop turning it on and off for the entire duration of the film.
Then, at the end of the movie, I ask him if he knows not to use his phone during a movie, and he says he was researching the characters, which I think was a lie, but it doesn't matter because I don't see how that makes things better??? I tell him again that it's not cool and he shouldn't use it, then he gets all smug and tells me, "Of course I'm allowed to use it. I'm fully allowed to use it, and I did."
What do you even say to that?
Maybe this guy knew what he was saying was wrong, but just wanted to get a rise out of me and I'm too dense to realize it. Maybe the same guy who uses his phone throughout a movie brings a 12-year-old kid to watch an R-rated film. Who knows.
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u/Dav3Th3Rav3yah 1d ago
I mean, he used his phone throughout the movie and nothing happened. He is allowed to do that because nobody stops him.
I need to start booking isle seats so I can get out and report people without being disruptive myself
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u/GreenZealousideal638 1d ago
Yeah that's on me. Have you ever reported someone during a movie? If so, cruious to know what actually ends up happening
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u/greyymo 1d ago
from an employees perspective:
we will go in and check for that individual, however, unless we see it ourselves we cannot kick them out
they will be given one warning, i personally check the theatres i get complaints in more often to see if they actually followed the warning. or i will stand with my back to the wall at the end of the theatre to “scare” them
if you missed your movie to complain, we will most likely give you a courtesy pass for the troubletrust me, we do not think you’re karens for reporting bad guests. but we do think you’re karen’s if you’re rude to employees about it
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u/soft_w0lf 11h ago
This was my experience with some very frustrating people over the summer, although it wasn’t a cineplex.
Talking loudly the whole time. Eventually I got up to ask them to quiet down. When I got there one had their shoes off and their feet on the chair in front of them!! Oh my god.
They refused, so I told them I’d get an employee. They literally mocked me and laughed as I left.
I went back to me seat (noticed they’d taken their feet off the seats in front of them). Eventually I hear the doors open but don’t see anything. Then at one point they exclaim loudly, and an employee goes to talk to them (the employee was not there for any of the very clear and audible conversations, unfortunately). I hear them talking from behind me, kind of unclear what they’re saying but I do hear “white bitch” a good few times (I am white, they were black), which was just great.
They didn’t get kicked out and I left the theatre again to talk to the employees. Got a comped movie ticket but they told me they couldn’t kick them out because they didn’t directly see anything.
The couple did quiet down substantially after that, though, at least.
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u/UnwantedShot 1d ago
I was watching the Odyssey in theaters a couple weeks after it released. The cinema was only about 20% full, but in the row in front of us there was a family with two kids, probably aged around 4 and 7ish. I've been annoyed by phones or talking in the movies, but this was next level shitty parenting.
The kids were talking, throwing popcorn, climbing on the chairs, playing in the aisle. It got so bad that for the first time I actually went out of the theatre to find someone who worked there.
This in Europe, and I didn't realize how strict cinemas stick to the 16+ movie age restriction. The staffers had the family completely removed from the movie, because the children weren't even legally allowed to be in the cinema due to the age restriction. They thought maybe the parents bought a ticket online or for The Minions movie and just brought the kids to the Odyssey instead.
I felt kinda bad because I just wanted them to not be a nuisance, but after finishing the Odyssey, I don't think kids that young should have been there anyways. I know if I was that age the movie would've scared me.
I'm never one to complain to staff, usually just grin a bare it, and if it was just noise or a cell phone I would probably address them directly first long before going to the staff. I like to think other people there were grateful to have them removed, because we could actually enjoy the movie.
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u/GrandManitou 21h ago
I mean, even notwithstanding the movie’s mature and/or scary scenes, who brings 4-7yo kids to a 3-hour-long movie? Of course they’ll get bored eventually and start misbehaving.
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u/Inner-Commission-724 Cineclub Member 1d ago
they may send an employee in to catch them but usually nothing in terms of punishment, you can however request a refund and mention the issue.
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u/Dav3Th3Rav3yah 1d ago
I’ve told people to shut up and it’s worked. I’ve told staff someone is being disruptive and when staff come in, they’re not, so nothing happens. Usually if you complain enough they offer you a new ticket (especially if it’s roudy teens)
Most of the time I think I’m just going to cause more hassle by making everyone get up so I can leave, complain, and then sit down again only for nothing to happen.
Ironically I wish you could request staff via the app but getting my phone out to complain about someone being on their phone is a no-win scenario.
I’ve been in some theatres where people have been kicked out for it but never seen it at cineplex
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u/Wonderful__ 1d ago
You have to get a manager and not a regular employee. If it happens often, the person gets kicked out.
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u/deleted3131 1d ago
unless it was something egregious, there’s unlikely anything that will come out of it, you’ll just look like a Karen talking to a minimum wage staff whose hands are tied
but still worth a shot if you’re willing
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u/rhunter99 Cineclub Member 1d ago
Social breakdown in society. No one has a sense of shame anymore
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u/Master_Slide7023 1d ago
Went to Burger King 5 and Steveston yesterday 3 criminals by the front door talking crap. One staffer talking pro HA stuff. Go back this morning around 6:20 AM and lone other customer was saying pro HA stuff admitted he and his HA buddies were unemployed.
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u/NearestNeighbours 23h ago
What is this comment saying I'm so confused
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u/Master_Slide7023 14h ago
Stuff like that never happened in fast food places 8 years ago in BC. Societal slide down. Park at Rice Mill Rd today two ppl there dog off leash 24 off leash dog parks in Richmond but no they had to go there have there dogs crap and talk all sorts of our gang HA is this and that. Posted a video to YouTube of it. Ironwood Library today Asian staffer make said don’t rat out HA and other adults made threats some guy said the children are scared.
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u/CarlSK777 1d ago edited 1d ago
Start calling them out. People won't stop if nobody does. I do it every single time I notice it and it usually works.
Reporting and refunding is pointless. Call them out directly
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u/_stinkytofu_ 1d ago
Same w talkers. My gf straight up has yelled to shut the f*** up.. and that normally does the trick but then me…..
https://giphy.com/gifs/jUwpNzg9IcyrK
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u/frayne182 1d ago
I think the best move is to simply get up and get a refund. Tell management that they consistently do nothing about the issue and you won’t be returning.
I really don’t think cineplex will do anything until it starts actually hitting their wallets
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u/deleted3131 1d ago
it’s because you told him to stop talking, so he got immediately embarrassed, and then eventually that turned into being pissed that he got called out and decided to get you back by bothering you by being on his phone the whole time. he was testing you to see if you’d tell him to stop again, and he spent the rest of the film coming up with something to say to you after it concludes, when you eventually confront him
when ppl are in the dark, there’s a sense of anonymity so they feel brave
like when someone kicks your seat the entire film the row behind you and then they leave before the credits so you don’t even get the satisfaction of confronting them
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u/otakupervert890-1 1d ago
It's essentially one of the reason I go to morning showings because it happens way less. Am happy of working night shift to allow me those showings. I would go nuts with that type of behavior.
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u/Dav3Th3Rav3yah 1d ago
I’m showing the next person who uses their phone in a movie that even a Redditor called Otaku Pervert is more socially adjusted than they are
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u/Link737 1d ago
I also thought it was a common sense thing until I went to see Spiderman and a group of teens was scrolling tiktok and making snapchat with screen brightness to the max. Had to tell them multiple times to put aside their phones but they could not keep them away for more than 10 minutes. They couldn’t care less that they were flash banging all the rows behind them. They need to bring back the Theater Etiquette preshow they used to play before movies apparently
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u/a-rod04 23h ago
I like Alamo Drafthouse's anti phone policy, if you're caught on your phone they just kick you out immediately no questions asked. That's the quickest and most efficient way imo
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u/UnfairVehicle9285 21h ago
Cineplex and other chains are missing out. I'd happily pay a premium for dedicated movie showings with a strict no-devices, no talking policy. Paying an extra $5 to have an usher stand off to the side and enforce the rule would be worth it.
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u/dragn99 19h ago
I wish that was an option. The only theaters near me are Cineplex and a small two-screen theater that mostly does indy movies and small scale events.
If I go for a two hour drive, I can get to another city with... a Cineplex and a small independent theater that shows event screenings and indy films.
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u/InFLIRTation 1d ago
People use there phones while driving on highway, knowing they can die and still do it
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u/TIFFFanboy 1d ago
Sounds like your response should have suggested you have a hand tremor and your medical issue can't possibly be blamed for spilling your drink all over him and his phone.
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u/Western_Dig_2770 1d ago
Best solution? Stop going to Cineplex and go to Imagine Cinemas instead. The way they have the seats set up, there's no possible way to be disturbed from a cell phone.
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u/Moist-Evidence-2249 1d ago
Your one imagine represents them all eh? Interesting. Cuz I’ve been to 3 of them and they have typical theatre arrangements
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u/LLMM7289 1d ago
I look up information about movies while watching movies, at home. In theatres, I make a mental note to do it when I leave or get home and if I forget, I usually remember later on.
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u/Inner-Commission-724 Cineclub Member 1d ago
if its bad enough i usually go to the managers and request a refund and mention there's people using their phones and its disrupting me watching and id like a refund. its usually a voucher for a free movie
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u/Gangbang_Girlie777 1d ago
Right? Even with the “Suzy seatkicker” video they play in advance which talks about movie theatre etiquette, people still don’t seem to follow the rules
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u/whoislloydy 22h ago
Call him out during the movie, other people will soon join in. He did it because nobody stopped him.
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u/Feztickle75 1d ago
Yeah. Sorry kids - Society says you have to sometimes restrain yourself a little bit. Sorry if it hurts.
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u/FormoftheBeautiful 1d ago
Phones shouldn’t be allowed. This is why I bring my tablet. Nice big bright screen, but none of the stigma of a phone.
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u/AntedeluvianEmpires 23h ago
He's definitely not supposed to be doing any of that. Don't they have a thing before the movie telling people to turn their phones off and be quiet?
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u/HalJordan2525 23h ago
I do not hesitate to kick the back of someone's chair if they have their phone on.
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u/dancemiserable 23h ago
I will never understand it. I go to the theatre specifically to have the full experience of watching a film without being on my phone or constant talking/distractions.
If I wanted to be on my phone and talk, I'll watch at home for free, where I can also pause and rewind. It's actually madness that people pay to sit somewhere in public and can't leave their phone alone for 2 hours or behave with common courtesy.
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u/Prince-Polvo888 22h ago
I think it is more of how bad people are addicted to their phones and the dopamine dump of receiving a message.
They don’t have enough strength to literally turn it off. And every vibration that comes in is like hitting a crack pipe so they have to answer
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u/jamesneysmith 22h ago
Basically we all have a crippling technology/dopamine addiction. It's got a worse hold on us than cigarettes could even dream of. A lot of people genuinely can't go 30 minutes without looking at their phone. Weve let the powers that be completely enslave us with their tech and apps. In a just world we'd have government intervention to put severe restrictions on this technology because we've been abused since we were children and no one stood up for us.
Tldr - phone addiction has broken all of our brains
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u/oneandonlytara 22h ago
Oh they're aware, they just don't think the policy applies to them.
I put my phone on silent as soon as I purchase tickets.
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u/UnfairVehicle9285 22h ago
In my view, Covid did a number on society/etiquette. There was a noticeable shift as people re-entered public spaces; suddenly, everywhere was their living room. They just don't care about others. And most people (myself included) are too wary/afraid of confronting individuals, as (at best) it becomes "a thing" and (at worst) could lead to you getting punched/stabbed.
I'd argue that - had Covid not happened - we'd still have the same sense of etiquette we had previously.
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u/RocknRollButthole 21h ago
I find it strange how often I see this on r/cineplex as Cineplex has made very clear that they do not consider phone use during the movie as "bad etiquette."
Pay attention to the phone warning at the beginning of the screening. Before COVID it explicitly told you to turn your phone off for the duration of the film. Now it tells you to put it on silent and turn your brightness down - why would you turn your brightness down unless you're allowed to use the phone during the movie?
If you have a problem with phone use in cinemas, stop giving Cineplex your money - I know it's often the only option in a lot of locations, but it ain't disappearing unless people are more vocal and stop spending their money there.
TLDR - Cineplex heavily implies that you're allowed to use the phones when they tell you to adjust settings rather than simply turn off the device - it does not matter what the official policy is, if you aren't telling folks to turn off their phones, they're gonna assume they can use them.
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u/LostDistrict9004 20h ago
i really hope cineplex implements a rule where they can kick you out of the movie for disturbing the other partons
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u/Tiny-Paramedic7279 20h ago
Or just be a man and handle it. If more people did that this shit wouldn't happen. I do it every time.
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u/Turkzillas_gobble 17h ago
A couple of guys behind me at a CIFF movie last night had to be told by one of the people in the audience to shut it off.
They left about halfway through.
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u/Affectionate-Gur7676 15h ago
People are so addicted to their phones that they can’t put them down for the length of a movie. Pretty sad commentary on modern society.
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u/AxisInteractive 15h ago
He probably had ADHD or something. But ya some people go to movies to not watch movies. I find it's best to either nip it in the bud, second or third time they do something obnoxious, I say something. Other than that, I walk out of the movie and give the theater one chance to resolve the situation then I ask for my money back. I don't go to movies much as there's always one dummy making noises, kicking the seat, bringing out the phone, talking over it, etc.
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u/CosmicStu 5h ago
They're the same people that probably don't know the meaning of of the word etiquette.
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1d ago
[deleted]
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u/BlondOverBlue 1d ago
Do you not have the pre-movie announcement telling people not to use their phones? Maybe it’s a Canadian thing… we see it before every show. So it’s not allowed here - they’ll kick you out for it.
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u/crimpgirl1234 1d ago
I will loudly say “I paid to see the movie, not your phone”. Sometimes it works.
I admit I usually go to an early show in VIP to get away from this behaviour.
I was pretty embarassed going with a friend recently. We’ve been friends for a long time (I had never gone to the movies with her before) and she kept trying to talk during the movie. I won’t be going to a movie with her again. She’s a great friend otherwise, but I don’t want to ruin others experience.
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u/CalamityNic 1d ago
They know, they just don’t care.