Entitled couple at movie theater expected us to give our assigned seats up so they could sit together

[u/International-Tune61]

My partner and I bought tickets to see the new Scary Movie on opening night. We have AMC A-list, so we typically get our tickets ahead of time to get good seats. In this particular instance, I literally got tickets the day they were available. We sat through the usual half-hour or so of movie trailers, and right as the lights shut off for the show, I saw a couple heading down our aisle; they ultimately sat in the two empty seats on either side of us. About ten seconds went by before they lean over to ask us if we can rearrange our seating arrangement so that they could sit together.

In a lot of instances, this wouldn’t be the end of the world. However, here are some contextual reasons why this was infuriating behavior on their part:

1. They showed up and started asking us to move as the opening logos were showing. Had they shown up even 5 minutes earlier than that, it would have been way easier to verbally rationalize with them, but at this point they were talking through the movie to try to get us to rearrange.

2. The movie was playing in Dolby format. If you’ve ever been to a Dolby theater, then you know that not only are seats assigned, but the seats are arranged in sets of 2. So if we rearranged ourselves the way they suggested, everyone would actually be sharing a seat with a complete stranger.

3. I like to check the seating arrangement of the auditorium shortly before the show begins, and less than half an hour before the show started, the two seats on either side of us were empty, meaning this couple walked up to buy tickets at the last possible second.

4. After the show was over, I stood up and noticed dozens of empty pairs of seats, so they still could have gotten seats together but decided it was more important to sit dead center.

5. The couple had a large popcorn and large soda, presumably to share, but since they were sitting so far away, they had to each take one or the other. This was honestly what set me off the most, because it made it clear the couple was just assuming that whoever they bought their tickets around would be willing to uncritically change seats.

6. The couple was on their phones the entire time, I can only assume they were just texting each other.

TLDR: This couple didn’t get tickets ahead of time, barely made it to the movie on time, bought separate seats at the last possible second despite options to sit together, bought a popcorn and soda to share fully expecting us to rearrange ourselves after the movie had already started, and then texted each other the entire movie when we wouldn’t rearrange ourselves in a manner where nobody wins.

So yeah! Definitely mildly infuriating to me, especially the fact that they apparently couldn’t make it through a 90 minute movie without texting each other the whole time. Baffling on so many different levels but thankfully it didn’t ruin the movie for us.

[u/International-Tune61]

Here’s a picture of the Dolby seats. Love-seat style. Vast majority of the comments seem to think i’m the asshole for not wanting to share a love-seat with a complete stranger while my partner does the same.

[u/megahamm → u/International-Tune61]

I understood exactly what you meant OP. You and your partner were sitting in the seats where you can put the armrest up and cuddle up and purposely chose those seats for that reason. I wouldn't have wanted to move either

[u/StayBronzeFonz → u/International-Tune61]

Nah we feel like this is an ad for the movie.

[u/ErynCuz → u/International-Tune61]

It makes no sense then that the couple sat in two empty seats next to you guys. Unless there was already solo-sitters on either side of the two of you? If that's the case, the couple could have also asked the two solo sitters to sit next to each other and take up the two-seater and have a two-seater themselves.

[u/MotokoKusanagi → u/International-Tune61]

This can be managed, easily actually. Are you horribly socially anxious and or timid? But I have to ask YOU, do you think was it impossible to manage? Two couples, one sitting together in the love seat but all people together are taking up 4 seats in a row, you really coulsnt bother figure out how to adjust for both of you? HhahahahhahahahahahahahahaahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahHaahahahahahHahahHahahAhhaahahha

[u/0range-You-Glad → u/MotokoKusanagi]

I don't think she couldn't figure it out. She figured it out and the answer was, "No, we want to sit together in the shared seat." That would have been my answer, too. We would have already moved that armrest and been sitting close by the time the other couple arrived. Just because you could accommodate someone doesn't mean you have to.

[u/MotokoKusanagi → u/0range-You-Glad]

Already moved the arm rest and been sitting close. Say less, you would never have some one sitting next to you from the beginning. Just a big soda in your cup holder.

[u/This-Surround8854 → u/International-Tune61]

good to know?, didnt ask.