Just got cell phone taken away from movie staff cause i was texting...

[Ricochet]

Manager did the right thing. OP should take this as lesson learned and not be an @sshat about it. While it inconvenienced him, it also serves as a detterent (sp?) for others not to do the same. Had he been permitted to continue texting, imagine how many other @sshats decide to emulate such behavior. Better to nip it in the bud.

 

[rchiu]

Originally posted by: thraashman
Wow. Does ATOT know how to anything OTHER than flame people? There's absolutely nothing wrong with texting briefly like that in a theater. Hell, the screen is big and bright, if you're focusing on the brief, dim lit cell screen of a guy like that you're too damn ADD to be in a theater. It makes no noise, it's hard to see unless you're leaning over him, it's not an issue. And NO they have no right to take your cell phone from you. I've never heard of a theater doing that. The only time I've seen where a theater took cell phones was at a prescreen for Superbad since they were preventing people from being able to take cell pictures. And since it was a free prescreen, they could do what they wanted or just not let you in.

The theater is dimmed for a reason you know, so we can focus on the only big bright screen. If they allow people texting in the theater, imaging 10~15 little light spots in the dark theater on and off, on and off, how would you like that when you paid 10 bucks to enjoy the film? It's not about the noise, it's about the annoying distraction in a dark theater room.

The theater make the rule, if the OP or text happy people don't like it, don't go.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
thats crap

they dont do that here... id say calling during a movie is asnine, but only in the sense that you wont be able to hear the other person speaking. i dont mind it before a film though, who cares about commercials anyway.

when i text in a cinema i try make sure i have the screen covered by a sleeve or something, so that it stops the light being too obvious, you know shielding it so that only i can see, my phones on min brightness as it is anyway because sony fitted a really good screen to this k800i, it doesnt need to be any brighter.

seems like that cop guy obviously didnt have anythingb better todo than to do his job.

yeah i would agree that him dragging you out was probably way more distracting for fellow movie goers than you just having a small light on for a few seconds. for me this was totally uncalled for.

see, here in the UK we have many better things to be doing that getting all hot and bothered about someone with a damn cell phone in a cinema..... like watching the film for instance, and having our police actually hunt drug dealing criminals instead of wasting time harassing someone for using a phone.

Fixed.

And "rent-a-cops" don't go hunt drug dealing criminals.

Theatre security is very often off duty police officers hired by the company.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
thats crap

they dont do that here... id say calling during a movie is asnine, but only in the sense that you wont be able to hear the other person speaking. i dont mind it before a film though, who cares about commercials anyway.

when i text in a cinema i try make sure i have the screen covered by a sleeve or something, so that it stops the light being too obvious, you know shielding it so that only i can see, my phones on min brightness as it is anyway because sony fitted a really good screen to this k800i, it doesnt need to be any brighter.

seems like that cop guy obviously didnt have anythingb better todo than to do his job.

yeah i would agree that him dragging you out was probably way more distracting for fellow movie goers than you just having a small light on for a few seconds. for me this was totally uncalled for.

see, here in the UK we have many better things to be doing that getting all hot and bothered about someone with a damn cell phone in a cinema..... like watching the film for instance, and having our police actually hunt drug dealing criminals instead of wasting time harassing someone for using a phone.

Fixed.

And "rent-a-cops" don't go hunt drug dealing criminals.

Theatre security is very often off duty police officers hired by the company.

Yep - and as such, they're where they're supposed to be - not just slacking off & harassing 'innocent customers' as the post above implies.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: MainFramed

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Hacp
I've seen messages saying turn off your phone or put it on vibrate, or something similar. The point is that we don't know, and it was wrong for Dr. Pizza to assume this, then lecture others about reading comprehension.

Oh, and unless you're a volunteer fireman, EMT, or transplant surgeon, you have very few emergencies in your entire lifetime. Get over yourself, your life isn't that dramatic.

wow, you're an idiot. no such emergencies related to kids, friends, work? QFT

What would happen 20 years ago?

If it was a REAL emergency (such as someone dying or your house on fire), then your friend/babysitter/whoever could call the theater and have staff inform you. Your kid breaking the remote or Joe Blow at work can't find the spreadsheet is NOT an emergency.

 

[Haui]

Originally posted by: MainFramed
So I am visting my sisters in Yorktown, VA and were at the movies tonight watching Bourne (what a sweet movie), about half way through my phone vibrates, its a buddy so i text back real quick (in front of my stomach with brightness dimmed as low as possible) and a cop comes over waving his flashlight at me saying sir you have to come with me, i go outside and he's like you need to give your cell phone to the manage till the movies over. im like wtf? i said thats alright im just gonna leave, he wouldn't let me return into the theater with my phone to get my sisters, so i had to give it to the manager, which then locked it in a room, i go get my sisters and when i come out the manager is already somewhere else....comes out 5 minutes later unclocks the room and gives me my phone. WTF :| :| I mean is that even right? can they fvking do that? He made more of a scene than me texting quietly.

I would have beat you to a bloody pole with the flashlight if I was the cop.....

 

[jandrews]

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: jandrews
This is a victory for every single one of us who gets annoyed by people texting and answering calls in movies. Why do people even leave their phones on during movies? I mean can your busy busy life handle the 2 hours without additional human contact? Sorry, most people are just not that important, shut off the phone eh

What about the few people that are that important? Is it okay for them to leave their phones on during a movie?

Seriously people... victory? win? triumph? You guys act like this manager did something to help stop the war in Iraq or something. Jeez

It is a little war in the common mans day to day life. People being uncorteous and not paying any price antogonize and annoy those of us that try to be pleasant everyday. When someone is punished for being annoying/disrespectful/jerk it is a win for those of us who dont cut off people in rush hour traffic to save us five minutes, those of us who sit quitely in our seats so others can enjoy the movie, those of us who dont try to sneak through the very last second of a yellow light. It is a victory.

 

[jandrews]

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: Juddog

Originally posted by: MainFramed
So I am visting my sisters in Yorktown, VA and were at the movies tonight watching Bourne (what a sweet movie), about half way through my phone vibrates, its a buddy so i text back real quick (in front of my stomach with brightness dimmed as low as possible) and a cop comes over waving his flashlight at me saying sir you have to come with me, i go outside and he's like you need to give your cell phone to the manage till the movies over. im like wtf? i said thats alright im just gonna leave, he wouldn't let me return into the theater with my phone to get my sisters, so i had to give it to the manager, which then locked it in a room, i go get my sisters and when i come out the manager is already somewhere else....comes out 5 minutes later unclocks the room and gives me my phone. WTF :| :| I mean is that even right? can they fvking do that? He made more of a scene than me texting quietly.

He should have smashed your phone into the ground IMHO. There is a reason why before the movie starts it says to turn off the cellphone, not "leave on vibrate and distract other moviegoers with your screen while you text".

Once again, it does NOT say to turn it off. It says to "SILENCE THE PHONE" The OP's phone was silenced.

Again, I dont advocate texting in a public theater, nor do I take my phone with me into the movies, but you guys are way off base with your comments...

Incorrect, it says no light no sound. The OP had his backlight on obviously.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Haui

Originally posted by: MainFramed
So I am visting my sisters in Yorktown, VA and were at the movies tonight watching Bourne (what a sweet movie), about half way through my phone vibrates, its a buddy so i text back real quick (in front of my stomach with brightness dimmed as low as possible) and a cop comes over waving his flashlight at me saying sir you have to come with me, i go outside and he's like you need to give your cell phone to the manage till the movies over. im like wtf? i said thats alright im just gonna leave, he wouldn't let me return into the theater with my phone to get my sisters, so i had to give it to the manager, which then locked it in a room, i go get my sisters and when i come out the manager is already somewhere else....comes out 5 minutes later unclocks the room and gives me my phone. WTF :| :| I mean is that even right? can they fvking do that? He made more of a scene than me texting quietly.

I would have beat you to a bloody pole with the flashlight if I was the cop.....

That's harsh dude. :laugh:

 

[Haui]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Haui

Originally posted by: MainFramed
So I am visting my sisters in Yorktown, VA and were at the movies tonight watching Bourne (what a sweet movie), about half way through my phone vibrates, its a buddy so i text back real quick (in front of my stomach with brightness dimmed as low as possible) and a cop comes over waving his flashlight at me saying sir you have to come with me, i go outside and he's like you need to give your cell phone to the manage till the movies over. im like wtf? i said thats alright im just gonna leave, he wouldn't let me return into the theater with my phone to get my sisters, so i had to give it to the manager, which then locked it in a room, i go get my sisters and when i come out the manager is already somewhere else....comes out 5 minutes later unclocks the room and gives me my phone. WTF :| :| I mean is that even right? can they fvking do that? He made more of a scene than me texting quietly.

I would have beat you to a bloody pole with the flashlight if I was the cop.....

That's harsh dude. :laugh:

Caning is harsh....bing beated because of ignorance is just.

 

[Aikouka]

Personally I find the theater personnel with their glow wands just as distracting as cell phones being enabled (light on) in the theater.

Seriously though... they don't annoy me in the theater. I'm much more annoyed by kids in the theater making me get up every 10 minutes so they can go to the bathroom or get a refill or whatever. It's even worse because I'm fairly tall (long legs at that) and the local Loews doesn't have that great of seating, so it's a pain to squeeze people past me. The Regal near me isn't too bad, but it's further away. I know watching Transformers was a pain as I had to keep getting up and getting down to let these kids through.

Originally posted by: dainthomas
How amazing that for thousands of years, humans were able to go an hour without texting each other!!!!!1!1! :shocked: What a tough, resilient species we are!

Any response made in a fashion like this is illogical and you should just refrain from posting idiotic statements. To regard an era that had reduced communication abilities as being comparable to today is just silly. This goes to someone else who talked about the 40's and 50's in some earlier post. You obviously find a need to post your opinion here... liek omgz, what did peoples of many years ago do without Anandtech to voice their opinions that no one cares about!!!111!

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: jandrews

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: Juddog

Originally posted by: MainFramed
So I am visting my sisters in Yorktown, VA and were at the movies tonight watching Bourne (what a sweet movie), about half way through my phone vibrates, its a buddy so i text back real quick (in front of my stomach with brightness dimmed as low as possible) and a cop comes over waving his flashlight at me saying sir you have to come with me, i go outside and he's like you need to give your cell phone to the manage till the movies over. im like wtf? i said thats alright im just gonna leave, he wouldn't let me return into the theater with my phone to get my sisters, so i had to give it to the manager, which then locked it in a room, i go get my sisters and when i come out the manager is already somewhere else....comes out 5 minutes later unclocks the room and gives me my phone. WTF :| :| I mean is that even right? can they fvking do that? He made more of a scene than me texting quietly.

He should have smashed your phone into the ground IMHO. There is a reason why before the movie starts it says to turn off the cellphone, not "leave on vibrate and distract other moviegoers with your screen while you text".

Once again, it does NOT say to turn it off. It says to "SILENCE THE PHONE" The OP's phone was silenced.

Again, I dont advocate texting in a public theater, nor do I take my phone with me into the movies, but you guys are way off base with your comments...

Incorrect, it says no light no sound. The OP had his backlight on obviously.

You cannot state that as a fact either way, because you havent seen the message at every movie theater. At every one I have EVER been to, they say to silence the phone. This includes AMC Loews or Regal Cinemas in NJ, PA and AMC theaters in Michigan.

 

[jandrews]

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: jandrews

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: Juddog

Originally posted by: MainFramed
So I am visting my sisters in Yorktown, VA and were at the movies tonight watching Bourne (what a sweet movie), about half way through my phone vibrates, its a buddy so i text back real quick (in front of my stomach with brightness dimmed as low as possible) and a cop comes over waving his flashlight at me saying sir you have to come with me, i go outside and he's like you need to give your cell phone to the manage till the movies over. im like wtf? i said thats alright im just gonna leave, he wouldn't let me return into the theater with my phone to get my sisters, so i had to give it to the manager, which then locked it in a room, i go get my sisters and when i come out the manager is already somewhere else....comes out 5 minutes later unclocks the room and gives me my phone. WTF :| :| I mean is that even right? can they fvking do that? He made more of a scene than me texting quietly.

He should have smashed your phone into the ground IMHO. There is a reason why before the movie starts it says to turn off the cellphone, not "leave on vibrate and distract other moviegoers with your screen while you text".

Once again, it does NOT say to turn it off. It says to "SILENCE THE PHONE" The OP's phone was silenced.

Again, I dont advocate texting in a public theater, nor do I take my phone with me into the movies, but you guys are way off base with your comments...

Incorrect, it says no light no sound. The OP had his backlight on obviously.

You cannot state that as a fact either way, because you havent seen the message at every movie theater. At every one I have EVER been to, they say to silence the phone. This includes AMC Loews or Regal Cinemas in NJ, PA and AMC theaters in Michigan.

I believe you are remembering incorrectly, I will do some research when I am back from lunch. Every one I have been to said no light no sound.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I hate a lot of things that people do at movie theaters. Texting one time isn't very high on that list. Granted, I turn my phone off completely when I'm in there but if I see someone looking at theirs (not talking mind you) it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
Personally I find the theater personnel with their glow wands just as distracting as cell phones being enabled (light on) in the theater.

Seriously though... they don't annoy me in the theater. I'm much more annoyed by kids in the theater making me get up every 10 minutes so they can go to the bathroom or get a refill or whatever. It's even worse because I'm fairly tall (long legs at that) and the local Loews doesn't have that great of seating, so it's a pain to squeeze people past me. The Regal near me isn't too bad, but it's further away. I know watching Transformers was a pain as I had to keep getting up and getting down to let these kids through.

Originally posted by: dainthomas
How amazing that for thousands of years, humans were able to go an hour without texting each other!!!!!1!1! :shocked: What a tough, resilient species we are!

Any response made in a fashion like this is illogical and you should just refrain from posting idiotic statements. To regard an era that had reduced communication abilities as being comparable to today is just silly. This goes to someone else who talked about the 40's and 50's in some earlier post. You obviously find a need to post your opinion here... liek omgz, what did peoples of many years ago do without Anandtech to voice their opinions that no one cares about!!!111!

Nice try. It is a perfectly valid argument with everyone arguing in here that having a phone on AT ALL TIMES is absolutely necessary in case of some (perceived) emergency.

As I stated in a later post, there are communication options not involving a cell phone. Of course the OP's buddy might feel stupid having theater staff sent in to tell the OP about the new jalba pic he found.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: jandrews

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: jandrews

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: Juddog

Originally posted by: MainFramed
So I am visting my sisters in Yorktown, VA and were at the movies tonight watching Bourne (what a sweet movie), about half way through my phone vibrates, its a buddy so i text back real quick (in front of my stomach with brightness dimmed as low as possible) and a cop comes over waving his flashlight at me saying sir you have to come with me, i go outside and he's like you need to give your cell phone to the manage till the movies over. im like wtf? i said thats alright im just gonna leave, he wouldn't let me return into the theater with my phone to get my sisters, so i had to give it to the manager, which then locked it in a room, i go get my sisters and when i come out the manager is already somewhere else....comes out 5 minutes later unclocks the room and gives me my phone. WTF :| :| I mean is that even right? can they fvking do that? He made more of a scene than me texting quietly.

He should have smashed your phone into the ground IMHO. There is a reason why before the movie starts it says to turn off the cellphone, not "leave on vibrate and distract other moviegoers with your screen while you text".

Once again, it does NOT say to turn it off. It says to "SILENCE THE PHONE" The OP's phone was silenced.

Again, I dont advocate texting in a public theater, nor do I take my phone with me into the movies, but you guys are way off base with your comments...

Incorrect, it says no light no sound. The OP had his backlight on obviously.

You cannot state that as a fact either way, because you havent seen the message at every movie theater. At every one I have EVER been to, they say to silence the phone. This includes AMC Loews or Regal Cinemas in NJ, PA and AMC theaters in Michigan.

I believe you are remembering incorrectly, I will do some research when I am back from lunch. Every one I have been to said no light no sound.

Remembering incorrectly? I dont think so buddy. I am a frequent movie goer, and trust me, at the AMC's and Regal's here in NJ and also in MI, it says to SILENCE the phone. No where does it say to turn it off.

Again I remind you I leave my phone in the car when I go to the theater, so I am not advocating the use of cell phones while at a movie, but if you are going to flame the OP, at least get your facts straight!

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: dainthomas
Nice try. It is a perfectly valid argument with everyone arguing in here that having a phone on AT ALL TIMES is absolutely necessary in case of some (perceived) emergency.

As I stated in a later post, there are communication options not involving a cell phone. Of course the OP's buddy might feel stupid having theater staff sent in to tell the OP about the new jalba pic he found.

How is comparing an age of extremely reduced communication to today's age where you're connected anywhere you go a valid point? I'm not talking about other communication methods, I'm talking about people attempting to compare other ages to this one, it simply isn't a valid comparison.

I'd still like for someone to attempt to refute the theater personnel walking around with their light sticks being any better than someone with a cell phone merely lit up. Should I go to the manager and report the personnel for bothering my movie experience by doing their walkthroughs?

 

[MainFramed]

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: MainFramed

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Hacp
I've seen messages saying turn off your phone or put it on vibrate, or something similar. The point is that we don't know, and it was wrong for Dr. Pizza to assume this, then lecture others about reading comprehension.

Oh, and unless you're a volunteer fireman, EMT, or transplant surgeon, you have very few emergencies in your entire lifetime. Get over yourself, your life isn't that dramatic.

wow, you're an idiot. no such emergencies related to kids, friends, work? QFT

What would happen 20 years ago?

If it was a REAL emergency (such as someone dying or your house on fire), then your friend/babysitter/whoever could call the theater and have staff inform you. Your kid breaking the remote or Joe Blow at work can't find the spreadsheet is NOT an emergency.

forgot about 20 years ago it is irrelevant , its the 21st century, 2007....texting is quicker than going trough the trouble of tracking down a location, and then staff who will have to locate me, to tell me.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: MainFramed

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: MainFramed

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Hacp
I've seen messages saying turn off your phone or put it on vibrate, or something similar. The point is that we don't know, and it was wrong for Dr. Pizza to assume this, then lecture others about reading comprehension.

Oh, and unless you're a volunteer fireman, EMT, or transplant surgeon, you have very few emergencies in your entire lifetime. Get over yourself, your life isn't that dramatic.

wow, you're an idiot. no such emergencies related to kids, friends, work? QFT

What would happen 20 years ago?

If it was a REAL emergency (such as someone dying or your house on fire), then your friend/babysitter/whoever could call the theater and have staff inform you. Your kid breaking the remote or Joe Blow at work can't find the spreadsheet is NOT an emergency.

fvcktard, forgot about 20 years ago it is irrelevant , its the 21st century, 2007....texting is quicker than going trough the trouble of tracking down a location, and then staff who will have to locate me, to tell me.

While I dont agree with texting in a movie theater, I have to agree with this point.

It is 2007 people. Dont compare going to the movies today with going to the movies in the 50s, 60s, 70s or any other era... Its not a valid argument.

 

[SillyOReilly]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I hate a lot of things that people do at movie theaters. Texting one time isn't very high on that list. Granted, I turn my phone off completely when I'm in there but if I see someone looking at theirs (not talking mind you) it doesn't bother me at all.

How did you notice them texting if you're watching the movie?

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: MainFramed

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: MainFramed

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Hacp
I've seen messages saying turn off your phone or put it on vibrate, or something similar. The point is that we don't know, and it was wrong for Dr. Pizza to assume this, then lecture others about reading comprehension.

Oh, and unless you're a volunteer fireman, EMT, or transplant surgeon, you have very few emergencies in your entire lifetime. Get over yourself, your life isn't that dramatic.

wow, you're an idiot. no such emergencies related to kids, friends, work? QFT

What would happen 20 years ago?

If it was a REAL emergency (such as someone dying or your house on fire), then your friend/babysitter/whoever could call the theater and have staff inform you. Your kid breaking the remote or Joe Blow at work can't find the spreadsheet is NOT an emergency.

forgot about 20 years ago it is irrelevant , its the 21st century, 2007....texting is quicker than going trough the trouble of tracking down a location, and then staff who will have to locate me, to tell me.

If it's a REAL emergency, then there are these people called "emergency personnel" who will somehow be able to manage without your presence in the extra two minutes it might take to track you down.

Since REAL emergencies are fairly rare, I imagine someone having to be called out of a theater would also be.

I think people here need to get a little perspective on what actually constitutes an "emergency".

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: dainthomas
Nice try. It is a perfectly valid argument with everyone arguing in here that having a phone on AT ALL TIMES is absolutely necessary in case of some (perceived) emergency.

As I stated in a later post, there are communication options not involving a cell phone. Of course the OP's buddy might feel stupid having theater staff sent in to tell the OP about the new jalba pic he found.

How is comparing an age of extremely reduced communication to today's age where you're connected anywhere you go a valid point? I'm not talking about other communication methods, I'm talking about people attempting to compare other ages to this one, it simply isn't a valid comparison.

I'd still like for someone to attempt to refute the theater personnel walking around with their light sticks being any better than someone with a cell phone merely lit up. Should I go to the manager and report the personnel for bothering my movie experience by doing their walkthroughs?

Personally I think lighted walkthroughs are a bad idea, the usher/manager should carry a flashlight if needed but not have one turned on. By all means bring it up with the manager or send an email to corporate ops.

When it comes to cell phones the theatre can set any policy it wants just as every customer is free to patronize the business or not. Cell usage has been a problem for quite some time and the theatre chains have responded in recent years by cracking down on users, usually to overwhelming support from customers.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Coolone
IMO, cel phones being used in any way, shape, or form in a movie theater is asinine.

Unless it was an emergency or something

Even if it was, leave it on vibrate and exit the theatre to answer.

No matter how dim you think your screen is, it is a distraction.

Also making one person an example may cause more overall distraction, but in the end it gets the next 20 teenyboppers for 'like I have to totally respond to this text, it's about the bonfire later tonight'.

Anyone can wait an extra 20 seconds to respond to a text/phone call while they leave the theatre.

A theatre is also a private facility, they can set whatever rules they want as long as they don't violate racial/gender type laws.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: ShadowOfMyself
Oh here we go again, of course ATOT will flame the OP and defend the manager

But having a phone on SILENCE and having it turned off is the exact same thing unless you answer a call, which he didnt, and yes answering calls is stupid, BUT HE DIDNT, so whats the problem again? Oh, it bothers me to see a faint light on the corner of my eye for 30 seconds while I watch my 2 hour movie

Puulease

Sounds like you are one that has their phone lighting up during a movie.

People want to see the movie and get in to the story. Your little e-weiner lighting up when your mom texts you every 15 minutes to check up on you takes them out of the story.

 

[Number1]

OP this thread seriously deserves a poll. Just don't word it too biased.

I am willing to bet that a vast majority is going to vote in favour of the theatre's action.

My views: I have no problems with a phone on vibrate and people checking it out if it does go off. If it is an emergency or it requires immediate action, get up and go to the lobby.

I don't think people should be allowed to talk or text in a theatre. It is distracting to the movie goers, but more importantly, it is unnecessary.
Those that insist on using their phones only have themselves to blame if they get evicted.

I will concede to you that the cop could have asked you politely to stop texting and you would have probably agreed however, maybe you where the 20 persons he found texting in the theatre, lost his patience and decided to make an example out of you.

Epic thread by the way, best so far this year.