Texting in Movie Theater

pawnstarNate

Fatal shooting in Florida yesterday over a man texting his daughter during the previews.

I'm definitely not one that is attached to my phone. So, it bugs me to see others using their phone or texting at inappropriate times. To the point I would use aggressive force or even shoot someone for it? No.

So, the question is.....if you are going to text or use your phone at the movie theater. Shouldn't you remove yourself to the lobby as to not to irritate the other patrons?

summertime_girl

I'm pretty attached to my phone. And I've texted in a movie theater. I'm not sure how it could bother someone so much if you aren't making noise, and the screen is dim. And during the previews this happened? Damn. Florida is scary. He'll probably get off, especially since he's a former cop.

hearthemelody

If the other option is death? Sure, sure, I can put down my phone...

Chain_Ring

Gotta be more to the story, right?

WeepingAngel81

During the previews it wouldn't bother me, but during the movie it is distracting. If I pay movie ticket prices I want to be able to get lost in a movie for a couple of hours with a light display drawing my attention away.

hearthemelody

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/justice/florida-movie-theater-shooting/

Seajolly

There is pretty much nothing else that gets under my skin as badly as someone texting or looking at their phone while I'm trying to watch a movie. I work in the film industry and that is my escape. When I shell out $15 for a movie ticket I expect it to be quiet in the movies (unless people are laughing at a funny moment, or screaming in terror from a scary moment) and to not have to be distracted by someone's phone screen lighting up. Do I understand why the guy was mad? YES, ABSOLUTELY. Was it worth killing/hurting someone over? ABSOLUTELY NOT. But people these days need to learn to respect others at the movie theater, and everywhere else in public!

pawnstarNate

I'm pretty attached to my phone. And I've texted in a movie theater. I'm not sure how it could bother someone so much if you aren't making noise, and the screen is dim. And during the previews this happened? Damn. Florida is scary. He'll probably get off, especially since he's a former cop.

yeh...it was a definite over reaction by the retired cop....and I don't think it would bother me during the previews or if the screen is dimmed.

Shreddingit84

What can you expect from them Crazie Floridians...

seltzermint555

During the previews it wouldn't bother me, but during the movie it is distracting. If I pay movie ticket prices I want to be able to get lost in a movie for a couple of hours without a light display drawing my attention away.

Agreed. I had a smartphone for awhile and I just did not get that into it. I felt it wasn't really worth the $ and sold it for more than I paid. I honestly feel a bit sorry for people who are SO attached to their phones that they seem as though they really can't relax and enjoy any other experience fully.

MysteriousMerlin

You're at the God-blessed movie theatre, turn the freaking phone OFF.

It's ridiculous that a person can't take a 2-3 hour break from texting or calling someone. You're not that special!

maab_connor

this is the perfect movie theater:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/movie_theater_layout

bloominheck

You're at the God-blessed movie theatre, turn the freaking phone OFF.

It's ridiculous that a person can't take a 2-3 hour break from texting or calling someone. You're not that special!

No I agree, turn off your phone. But, it was the fricking previews and it was texting... how loud is that. I would have moved.
Crazy freaking retired cop. Hope he gets nailed to the wall for this.:mad:

Seajolly

You're at the God-blessed movie theatre, turn the freaking phone OFF.

It's ridiculous that a person can't take a 2-3 hour break from texting or calling someone. You're not that special!

Agreed. If you're a doctor or another person that needs their phone on them at all times, then just exit the movie theater to check your phone. It isn't that difficult!

summertime_girl

You're at the God-blessed movie theatre, turn the freaking phone OFF.

It's ridiculous that a person can't take a 2-3 hour break from texting or calling someone. You're not that special!

Eh, I have kids who need to be able to reach me any time, and clients who get pissed if they can't. I wouldn't take a call, but my phone isn't getting shut off. And trust me, when I am on the phone, it's far less of a distraction than the crying baby, or the person chomping on their popcorn.

Seajolly

Eh, I have kids who need to be able to reach me any time, and clients who get pissed if they can't. I wouldn't take a call, but my phone isn't getting shut off. And trust me, when I am on the phone, it's far less of a distraction than the crying baby, or the person chomping on their popcorn.

There was a time before cell phones, and everyone was fine with not being able to reach someone for an hour and a half to two hours...

MyChocolateDiet

this is the perfect movie theater:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/movie_theater_layout

No, b/c it says to pay extra to sit near the elderly and in this case someone wound up dead from that.

QueenBishOTUniverse

My husband has threatened to kill people texting on their phones during a movie, but I don't *really* think he'd do it.

He'll complain (to me...... a lot) if it's during the previews, but he doesn't get bent out of shape unless it's during the actual movie.

People with OCD really can get VERY worked up over stuff like this though.

ETA: the issue with the OCD is that he HAS TO look at the flashing light, and possibly try to read what is on the screen, it is incredibly distracting for him and makes him understandably frustrated.

MyChocolateDiet

You're at the God-blessed movie theatre, turn the freaking phone OFF.

It's ridiculous that a person can't take a 2-3 hour break from texting or calling someone. You're not that special!

Eh, I have kids who need to be able to reach me any time, and clients who get pissed if they can't. I wouldn't take a call, but my phone isn't getting shut off. And trust me, when I am on the phone, it's far less of a distraction than the crying baby, or the person chomping on their popcorn.

Or the grown men arguing and then getting shot.

summertime_girl

Times change. There were also times when I couldn't send a contract via email, and a kid could ride in the front seat without a seatbelt, and women couldn't wear pants. Technology changes, and we adapt with it, or to it, or in spite of it.

MyChocolateDiet

My husband has threatened to kill people texting on their phones during a movie, but I don't *really* think he'd do it.

He'll complain (to me...... a lot) if it's during the previews, but he doesn't get bent out of shape unless it's during the actual movie.

People with OCD really can get VERY worked up over stuff like this though.

Maybe you should PERSONALLY pat down your man for weapons before entering the theater with him. Just sayin'.

WeepingAngel81

Eh, I have kids who need to be able to reach me any time, and clients who get pissed if they can't. I wouldn't take a call, but my phone isn't getting shut off. And trust me, when I am on the phone, it's far less of a distraction than the crying baby, or the person chomping on their popcorn.

There was a time before cell phones, and everyone was fine with not being able to reach someone for an hour and a half to two hours...

Agreed- and though it's not summertime's fault that her clients get pissy, it's still a distraction to have that light display turn on. And yes, crying babies are a distraction too, but that's not the topic of this thread. There was also a time when parents could go to a movie without the need for their kids to reach them right away. If I am going to go to a movie, I am going to make sure I trust my sitter enough to take care of my kids without the need to reach me for a couple of hours. If something goes wrong and they have to call 911 that's just a risk I take leaving the house. There is no reason to not go to the lobby to check a phone call or text.

pawnstarNate

Eh, I have kids who need to be able to reach me any time, and clients who get pissed if they can't. I wouldn't take a call, but my phone isn't getting shut off. And trust me, when I am on the phone, it's far less of a distraction than the crying baby, or the person chomping on their popcorn.

There was a time before cell phones, and everyone was fine with not being able to reach someone for an hour and a half to two hours...

In summertimes defense, my 7 yr old has seizures and I do have my phone on me in the theater. Luckily she's never had a seizure during a movie but, I keep it on and just turn it on vibrate for that reason. There have been times I've received texts but, I kind of cover the phone and peek at it.....reply after the movie. If it was our sitter, I would think something was wrong and politely step outside the theater though.

just_Jennie1

My husband has threatened to kill people texting on their phones during a movie, but I don't *really* think he'd do it.

He'll complain (to me...... a lot) if it's during the previews, but he doesn't get bent out of shape unless it's during the actual movie.

People with OCD really can get VERY worked up over stuff like this though.

ETA: the issue with the OCD is that he HAS TO look at the flashing light, and possibly try to read what is on the screen, it is incredibly distracting for him and makes him understandably frustrated.

Wow. The fact that you don't *really* think he'd do it means that there's a part of you that is actually concerned that he would. I personally would be really, really concerned if my husband threatened to kill someone for texting. I mean like, really concerned. To the point where I'd have to make sure he wasn't sneaking weapons in someplace.

Yet he opens his mouth and complains about it which would be bothering the people around him a lot more than someone texting on a phone.

MyChocolateDiet

All in all I do not see that a man was shot for using his cell phone. The altercation that ensued between the two men ended in the shooting. Their were rules against both bringing the phone into the theater or using it there AND having weapons in the theater. It appears that rule breaking and ego's were responsible for this death.

jhoyett

I DEFINITELY think you should leave the theater to use your phone. The light is SO IRRITATING!

hbrittingham

I think it's totally ridiculous that a person can't go a couple of hours without texting or calling someone while they are at the movies. It's not a crime worth killing someone over, though.

MysteriousMerlin

Eh, I have kids who need to be able to reach me any time, and clients who get pissed if they can't. I wouldn't take a call, but my phone isn't getting shut off. And trust me, when I am on the phone, it's far less of a distraction than the crying baby, or the person chomping on their popcorn.

There was a time before cell phones, and everyone was fine with not being able to reach someone for an hour and a half to two hours...

Yep. If your kids can't be without you for 2-3 hours, then why are you going out? Stay at home and rent a movie.

I don't condone shooting people in a theatre for texting though. Just wanted to make that clear. :drinker:

hoyalawya2003

You're at the God-blessed movie theatre, turn the freaking phone OFF.

It's ridiculous that a person can't take a 2-3 hour break from texting or calling someone. You're not that special!

Eh, I have kids who need to be able to reach me any time, and clients who get pissed if they can't. I wouldn't take a call, but my phone isn't getting shut off. And trust me, when I am on the phone, it's far less of a distraction than the crying baby, or the person chomping on their popcorn.

Just because you are less rude than people who bring in a crying baby doesn't make it acceptable. It is rude and distracting to text or play with your phone during a movie. "Changing technology" does not make it less rude or distracting, either.

emdeesea

During the previews, I don't care. But during the movie, I have been the one to get the manager involved and get that person removed. I paid my ticket and don't want to be distracted. If your text message is that important, you do not need to be at the movies.

That said, shooting someone is just a bit over the top. And now a toddler is fatherless because of some overzealous idiot.

MyChocolateDiet

My husband has threatened to kill people texting on their phones during a movie, but I don't *really* think he'd do it.

He'll complain (to me...... a lot) if it's during the previews, but he doesn't get bent out of shape unless it's during the actual movie.

People with OCD really can get VERY worked up over stuff like this though.

ETA: the issue with the OCD is that he HAS TO look at the flashing light, and possibly try to read what is on the screen, it is incredibly distracting for him and makes him understandably frustrated.

Wow. The fact that you don't *really* think he'd do it means that there's a part of you that is actually concerned that he would. I personally would be really, really concerned if my husband threatened to kill someone for texting. I mean like, really concerned. To the point where I'd have to make sure he wasn't sneaking weapons in someplace.

Yet he opens his mouth and complains about it which would be bothering the people around him a lot more than someone texting on a phone.

This is what I was talking about. The intolerance and then inflamed egos is what can get out of control. The simple rule break of the cell could and should have been handled with those charged with handling it. The movie staff.