My husband and I went to the movies last weekend with some very good friends, who brought along their 22 year old daughter. These friends have been part of our lives since our children were in pre-school, and since their daughter lives out of town I hadn’t seen her in quite some time. Naturally I was very excited when she and her mother walked in to the theater, and we all sat down and got busy chatting.
At that moment it was 10 minutes before the movie was supposed to start, and on the screen was the dancing Coca-Cola bear, along with assorted other commercials.
A few minutes after we sat down the woman in front of us turned and said, quite loudly and pointedly to us, “Will you please shut up? I’m trying to watch the show.”
Wow.
Let me explain something here. I am one of the first people to shush someone at the movies when they are talking…once the film has started. That would include anything on the screen once the lights have dimmed. Even the rollercoaster box of candy. Anything at all. But at that moment the lights were still on, and people all around us were talking. At full voice. Because, you know, that’s what people do before the show starts.
Anyway, because  my friend’s daughter was there, I (and my friend, I’m sure) decided not to say what I really wanted to say. Because what I really wanted to say was “how dare you talk to me like that, you rude ignorant woman.” It was so inappropriate, so unnecessary, so…nasty.
Every so often, something happens that makes me feel as if my world has been disturbed, sort of like a snow globe being shaken – suddenly there’s this different atmosphere, an uncomfortable electricity that disrupts my sense of well-being, and that’s what happened at the movies that night. I’m always shocked when things like that happen – people being particularly rude, or shouting matches in a public place – it’s as if it gets inside my body, like a foreign object. A disagreement with a stranger is a very dangerous encounter. It makes me a little dizzy. I want to run towards the problem, even as I want to flee. It’s a very strange experience, and I’m always surprised when it happens.
But this time, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, and I think I know why. Because despite my impulse to lash out at this very cranky and nasty woman, I didn’t. I just sort of let it go…almost. There was some residual irritation, and when my husband came in with our drinks and popcorn, I kind of sort of wanted him to accidentally spill it all on her head. The rest of the evening was so nice, it just about cancelled out that icky, uncomfortable moment when I heard her say “shut up.”
I mean, who does that? During the commercials? Who does that?
We don’t go to the movies anymore, I mean like never, because of the idiots who share the theater with the nice people who just wanna have a nice evening out at a good show,or hoping to see a good one.
With “on demand” we just wait a few weeks and there they are!
The last time we were at the theater, a lovely little couple sat directly behind us. They were elderlier than us. He apparently can’t hear so she repeated the words spoken on the screen FOR THE ENTIRE MOVIE to him. It was beyond annoying!
We moved after about 15 mins. and could still hear her from 20 feet away. It was like the movie had a horrid and not quite accurate echo!
sorry about the rude person, but in this world, it’s always best to judge the sin before making a public issue, you never know who else will get themselves involved! Sad, but true.
That was really rude, and considering the movie hadn’t even started yet she was basically complaining because she couldn’t focus on a dancing hot dog. Some people need to get a life. Geez. It took a big person not to react and get into it with her. Good for you.
Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogpost.com
What a shame. You were out for a good time with some friends, and some angry person put a damper on it. She was rude. And her comment was uncalled for. I’m glad your were able to let it go and not ruin the rest of your night. I hope the movie was really good and drew you in enough so you could forget about her. Sadly, the world’s full of miserable people. In some ways, you can turn it around and feel sorry for her. Can you imagine how awful it must be to feel that unhappy?
.
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My mother in law had the most perfect, hoity, toity, Ahah.
With that one word, two parts polite boredom, one part condensation, she could say everything she was too well bred to mention. I try, but I just can’t get the knack.
Love that!
I can’t believe how rude people can be. I probably would have yelled at her.
A simple NO! Might have worked. That would have been my instinct, you are so right. This kind of stuff I won’t list the rest we all know them, is what keeps me home. I very rarely see a movie in the theater anymore.
KUDOS to you for letting it go. I have to say I think I might not have been so kind in return. However–I admire the fact that you did not say anything and instead enjoyed the time out with your husband and friends!
How was the movie—would you recommend it?
Cheers, Jenn.
The movie was ok- “friends with kids”. Kind of a wannabe Woody Allen movie. I’d wait for cable!