Movie Theater Pet Peeves

We all have them!  Each time we go to a movie theater, hand over the $9+ a ticket and sit back with our tub of popcorn, it hits us:  the movie theater pet peeve that annoys us until we are safely back in the confines of our vehicles or homes.  Surprisingly, on the heels of a decrease in movie ticket sales, many people are citing movie theater antics as the reason they prefer to rent or buy movies to watch in the comfort of their own homes.  (Some people believe that the trend of watching movies at home has also resulted in increasingly poor movie theater etiquette.)  What are some of the more popular movie theater pet peeves?

The Excessive Talker

To some extent, we’re all guilty of the occasional whisper during a film.  However, at one point or another, we’ve had to endure the excessive talker. From this person, we can often learn what’s happening in the film or what he/she is having for dinner after they leave the theater. 

Cell Phones

The majority of moviegoers turn their cell phones off before the movie begins.  What about the person who doesn’t?  One movie theater pet peeve is not only hearing a cell phone ring during the film, but the person who answers and talks on the phone in the theater.  (We won’t mention the flash of light from the phone!)

Late Arrivals

Sometimes traffic or long lines will result in a person being late for the start of the movie.  However, is there a time when the theater should stop selling tickets to a specific movie showing?  Some moviegoers find it distracting when patrons try to find a seat after a film has been showing for over thirty minutes.

Seat Kicking

Everyone wants to prop their feet up when they’re watching a movie.  But excessive kicking becomes annoying rather quickly.  Fortunately, some of the newer theaters have places to prop your feet up or have enough space between seats where a moviegoer cannot hit the seat in front of them.

Young Children

While some movies are suitable for young children, others are not.  One movie theater pet peeve has been young children in theaters where the movie is inappropriate for them to see.  Another pet peeve that has been cited are young children being allowed to see movies unsupervised.