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

[pmoa]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: ChaoZ
Good job to that manager then.

 

[Felisity]

Wow.. I'm so glad I wasn't at the OPs theater when I went to see Transformers recently.

I have a HTC Mogul having just switched to Sprint recently and completely forgot to turn mine off when we went in to the theater. I grabbed it up as soon as I remembered (about 10 minutes into the movie) and held my shirt over it while I turned it off - hoping no one would be bothered.

Normally I fall under the catagory of folks who would defend the manager but sometimes people make mistakes, and the person who asked him to step outside could have simply asked him to "please stop or leave the theater if you absolutely have to use the device"

 

[Kelvrick]

I see a lot of flaming and some defending from other assholes who would gladly light up the people behind them with their screens.

I had the joy of sitting behind a girl who had her screen out for half of a movie. In a dark movie where you're watching thes creen, having something flash into your eye is distracting as hell. After a little bit I just pulled out my phone and shone it into her face asking her if it was pleasant to her nightvision and if it was so important, maybe she should go talk to the person.

She quickly leaned over to her boyfriend (friend, brother, whatever) and said, "Did you just see that?" I heard some noncommittal, "he has a point" reply.

It just sucks when I'm half a theatre away and can't get up to tell them to shut the fvcking things off.

Oh, and you people with the "jobs" that are so important that the messages can't wait, why isn't it important enough for you to quietly get up and leave to make sure it is square away.

God, you tactless fucks piss me off. You're probably also the same people who can't wait to get home on myspace to see how many random people have invited you to be their friend and I see texting while they drive because they're too fucking stupid to use a handsfree kit and actually talk.

Ok, gotta end this rant before it gets too ugly.

EDIT: Oh yea, OP, please reveal which theatre this was? I'd like to send in my thanks and hopes that more theatres would kick people out.

Poster above me, even if nobody is annoyed enough to get up, go find someone to complain to and miss parts of the movie, there will still be people affected.

 

[Xavier434]

I hate it when someone's cell phone goes off in a theater just as much as the next guy, but come on people. His phone was on vibrate and all he was doing was sending a text message. What happened to him is ridiculous. I understand the line needs to be drawn somewhere, but that is no where near close.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick


Ok, gotta end this rant before it gets too ugly.

Too late

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: 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!

I will back akshatp on this one. I just visited Bay Street 16 in Emeryville to watch Harry Potter and then AMC Cupertino 16 on the same weekend to watch Rush Hour 3. It says silence your phones. I've gone plenty of times and I can list all the cell phone warning messages they have before. I was at Century 20 theaters at The Great Mall about 3 weeks ago watching Die Hard, and it also says silence. Regal Theaters in Emeryville also says silence your phones and adds a AT&T and Best Buy logo..

 

[umbrella39]

LOL at this thread. It delivers :thumbsup:

IMO, the people in this thread that support the OP's texttarding ways are people when they were 10, their mommies and daddies bought them a cell phone and ever since, they have both been attached at the hip, no pun intended. It is the age of entitlement, they have been brought up to think that they are #1 and everyone else can go fvck themselves. Pst, put down your crack pipes when you go into a dark theatre and don't light them up inside. Seems fairly simple. You have a measly 1 1/2 - 2 hours quell your addictions, if you can't last that long, you need a 12 step program.

 

[Accipiter22]

Originally posted by: umbrella39

Originally posted by: effee
I see nothing wrong with texting the way the OP did.

The age of entitlement.

how did doing something that disturbed NO ONE ELSE warrant his treatment? He wasn't TALKING on the phone, he sent 1 text message.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22

Originally posted by: umbrella39

Originally posted by: effee
I see nothing wrong with texting the way the OP did.

The age of entitlement.

how did doing something that disturbed NO ONE ELSE warrant his treatment? He wasn't TALKING on the phone, he sent 1 text message.

I think alot of people beleive it was more than just the 1 text message that the OP is letting on...

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: K1052
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.

I'm just trying to mention these as a counter to everyone else ignoring such things... as I mentioned, these don't really bother me as I notice them in my peripheral vision and just ignore them.

There's varying degrees of use though and I don't see one measly message as a flagrant abuse that could annoy others. Some people just think differently though.

I noticed you also referred to them as theatres... shouldn't they be theaters and the establishments that you view plays, etc at be called theatres? I believe that's the distinction I learned in a theatre course in college .

Originally posted by: umbrella39
LOL at this thread. It delivers :thumbsup:

IMO, the people in this thread that support the OP's texttarding ways are people when they were 10, their mommies and daddies bought them a cell phone and ever since, they have both been attached at the hip, no pun intended. It is the age of entitlement, they have been brought up to think that they are #1 and everyone else can go fvck themselves. Pst, put down your crack pipes when you go into a dark theatre and don't light them up inside. Seems fairly simple. You have a measly 1 1/2 - 2 hours quell your addictions, if you can't last that long, you need a 12 step program.

I didn't get one until I was 20 and I paid for the thing myself, but I guess we'll just ignore that since it doesn't go against your slanted view of people.

 

[zinfamous]

once you realize that texting/voicing immediate responses to your palios is not even slightly crucial in the day-to-day operation of not only your world, but the reality of those around you, you will be much better off. I assure you, the earth will continue to spin and no one outside of you gives a damn about what a theater manager decides to do with you and your phone if this happens again.

Lesson--turn your freaking phone off before you go into theater. Or how about this...Leave it at home.

 

[Hacp]

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.

So, you're attacking my post because I made the assumption that at the beginning of a movie, the theater had something to the effect of "turn off your cell phone"?? At the very least, the theater had a message to silence your cell phone. The likelihood of such a message is about the same as the likelihood of "please fasten your seatbelts, put your seat in an upright position..." at the beginning of a commercial jet flight. Don't you ever go to movies? Or are you too engaged in text messaging your friends to notice that message before the film?

I didn't lecture anyone about reading comprehension (thus, it's not me who has the poor comprehension skills.) If you'd like me to summarize, here you go:

The light on cell phones is annoying in a dark room when people are trying to watch a movie. By itself, one wouldn't be bad. But a lot of selfish individuals think they should be the one exception to the rule. There are a few people who reasonably need to be able to check a text message. There are NO people who reasonably need to send a text message. If it's an "emergency" - get up and leave the theater.

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.

Turning off your cellphone is different from putting your cellphone on vibrate. You made a false assumption in backing your claim up. If you have a problem with a few people texting during a movie, you either need to concentrate more on the movie or purchase all the seats so you can have a nice quiet time at the movies.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: tranceport
I use email on BB for my job. I have to answer it the messages. If a cop told me something or the staff did. I'd gather my family and we would leave after they gave me a refund.
My phone vibrating and me typing a few words is nothing compared to normal theater distractions. People getting up and coming back. People spilling their m&m's. Slurping their drinks. Crunching their popcorn.


Now please keep in mind I am not writing a book on my BB... just answer a question or two.


However, if you were being louder than the normal distractions and were actually disturbing other movie watchers, that's a different story.

Proper etiquette is to leave the theatre to respond. The OP should not have been texting from his seat in the theatre.

ZV

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: umbrella39

Originally posted by: dartworth
How the hell does a sending a text message bother anyone. The sound of guy behind me stuffing his face with popcorn is more annoying to me than anything. Some of you people need to just mind your own business and worry about yourself.

If the light from a cell phone seen out of the corner of your eye bothers you that much, stay the fuck home. You obliviously have some serious issues...

Yet another age of entitlement poster. :roll: If you can't make it two hours without texting someone:

1: Grow a penis
2: Stay the fuck out of the theatre

:beer:

this thread shows a clear generational shift in attitude

born pre ~85-86: no cell phones
born post 85 or so: The world owes me. I do what the fvck I want.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: dartworth
ok kiddies...:roll:

speak for yourself.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: umbrella39

Originally posted by: dartworth
How the hell does a sending a text message bother anyone. The sound of guy behind me stuffing his face with popcorn is more annoying to me than anything. Some of you people need to just mind your own business and worry about yourself.

If the light from a cell phone seen out of the corner of your eye bothers you that much, stay the fuck home. You obliviously have some serious issues...

Yet another age of entitlement poster. :roll: If you can't make it two hours without texting someone:

1: Grow a penis
2: Stay the fuck out of the theatre

:beer:

this thread shows a clear generational shift in attitude

born pre ~85-86: no cell phones
born post 85 or so: The world owes me. I do what the fvck I want.

I dont know if thats an accurate generalization. btw, I was born way pre 85-86

 

[Number1]

It has been made abundantly clear by many people in this thread that texting in a theatre is distracting and annoying. That it takes away from their movie going experience. This is wildly accepted by the theatre owners as illustrated by the way they handled the OP?s transgression and immediately took action when they saw him texting.

Yet I continue to read post from people in this thread who continue to say that they will continue to text in theatres and that somehow, if anybody is bothered by it, that there is something wrong with him/her.

Lets recap.

Texting annoys the shit out of movie goers.
Theatre owners will take action against texters

YET

Some people will continue to text in theatres despite these facts.

WHY?

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: Number1
It has been made abundantly clear by many people in this thread that texting in a theatre is distracting and annoying. That it takes away from their movie going experience. This is wildly accepted by the theatre owners as illustrated by the way they handled the OP?s transgression and immediately took action when they saw him texting.

Yet I continue to read post from people in this thread who continue to say that they will continue to text in theatres and that somehow, if anybody is bothered by it, that there is something wrong with him/her.

Lets recap.

Texting annoys the shit out of movie goers.
Theatre owners will take action against texters

YET

Some people will continue to text in theatres despite these facts.

WHY?

Ever wonder why the mod had to edit out most of your replies and replace them with a "."

For the same reason the moderator just edited out your personal attack as well. -Anandtech Moderator DrPizza

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: Number1
It has been made abundantly clear by many people in this thread that texting in a theatre is distracting and annoying. That it takes away from their movie going experience. This is wildly accepted by the theatre owners as illustrated by the way they handled the OP?s transgression and immediately took action when they saw him texting.

Yet I continue to read post from people in this thread who continue to say that they will continue to text in theatres and that somehow, if anybody is bothered by it, that there is something wrong with him/her.

Lets recap.

Texting annoys the shit out of movie goers.
Theatre owners will take action against texters

YET

Some people will continue to text in theatres despite these facts.

WHY?

Texting doesn't bother all movie goers. I have to question why it would bother any movie goers. They say the light is blinding in a movie theater, I sure hope they close their eyes through out the whole movie as the big ass movie screen is a hell of alot brighter than anyones phone could be.

Once again, I don't ever text anywhere, it doesn't bother me if someone does. It would annoy the fvck out of me if the phone wasn't silent, but per what the OP has stated(and I don't know if we got the whole story), I think that the management over-reacted. Does it bother me that the management over-reacted, no, because that situation won't happen to me. What bothers me is all the people that feel bothered by someone texting.

 

[Number1]

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: Number1
It has been made abundantly clear by many people in this thread that texting in a theatre is distracting and annoying. That it takes away from their movie going experience. This is wildly accepted by the theatre owners as illustrated by the way they handled the OP?s transgression and immediately took action when they saw him texting.

Yet I continue to read post from people in this thread who continue to say that they will continue to text in theatres and that somehow, if anybody is bothered by it, that there is something wrong with him/her.

Lets recap.

Texting annoys the shit out of movie goers.
Theatre owners will take action against texters

YET

Some people will continue to text in theatres despite these facts.

WHY?

Ever wonder why the mod had to edit out most of your replies and replace them with a "."

Yes I got carried away yesterday and I appologise to YOU and anybody else I offended with the name calling. I am not calling names to anybody today.
I still disagree with your position.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: Number1

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: Number1
It has been made abundantly clear by many people in this thread that texting in a theatre is distracting and annoying. That it takes away from their movie going experience. This is wildly accepted by the theatre owners as illustrated by the way they handled the OP?s transgression and immediately took action when they saw him texting.

Yet I continue to read post from people in this thread who continue to say that they will continue to text in theatres and that somehow, if anybody is bothered by it, that there is something wrong with him/her.

Lets recap.

Texting annoys the shit out of movie goers.
Theatre owners will take action against texters

YET

Some people will continue to text in theatres despite these facts.

WHY?

Here is a better recap: You are an idiot.

Ever wonder why the mod had to edit out most of your replies and replace them with a "."

Stop posting. You suck at life.

Yes I got carried away yesterday and I appologise to YOU and anybody else I offended with the name calling. I am not calling names to anybody today.
I still disagree with your position.

How can you disagree with my position when you never bothered to read what it was?

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Hacp
Turning off your cellphone is different from putting your cellphone on vibrate. You made a false assumption in backing your claim up. If you have a problem with a few people texting during a movie, you either need to concentrate more on the movie or purchase all the seats so you can have a nice quiet time at the movies.

I said that the back light from cell phones is distracting. Not for long, but when it happens again and again and again, it really starts to detract from the movie-going experience. Are you really so self-centered that you don't realize that what you do is ruining the movie-going experience for the majority of people in the theater who don't feel compelled to text messages the plot of the movie? God forbid, there's an emergency in the office! "t h e _ c o p i e r _ p a p e r _ i s _ i n _ t h e _ l e f t _ d r a w e r" Or, the horror - an emergency at home "t e l l _ t i m m y _ t o _ p u t _ t h e _ t o o t h _ u n d e r _ t h e _ p i l l o w _ f o r _ t h e _ t o o t h f a i r y"

I've just realized something. Anyone ever notice how there are those people in the world absolutely oblivious to their surroundings? The people who drive in the left lane, unaware that there are 30 cars behind them waiting to pass. The person in the grocery store, blocking the aisle with their cart while they can't make up their mind over a brand. The idiot driving on the road talking on his cell phone... wait a second...

I just did a google search for "oblivious of their surroundings" and over 1/6th of the hits had something to do with cell phones! Maybe many of the cell phone junkies really are that oblivious to their surroundings that they wouldn't notice a blinking light in the corner of their eye. Have cell phones somehow genetically altered humans to lose what once was a simple survival skill, fine tuned over millenia to help us at one time to avoid predators that would love to stick their fangs in us? Granted, there are no sabre toothed tigers any more, but humans once had the ability to detect subtle movements of a camouflaged predator. Now some of you humans can't even detect a cell phone blinking on and off?! In not even a couple thousand years time, some of us no longer even notice blinking lights flashing in the corners of our eyes. How the heck do you navigate the streets and survive?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: umbrella39
LOL at this thread. It delivers :thumbsup:

IMO, the people in this thread that support the OP's texttarding ways are people when they were 10, their mommies and daddies bought them a cell phone and ever since, they have both been attached at the hip, no pun intended. It is the age of entitlement, they have been brought up to think that they are #1 and everyone else can go fvck themselves. Pst, put down your crack pipes when you go into a dark theatre and don't light them up inside. Seems fairly simple. You have a measly 1 1/2 - 2 hours quell your addictions, if you can't last that long, you need a 12 step program.

And what? The people who don't support the OP are people trapped in the stone age who don't appreciate cell phones? Seriously. It's not a goddamn addiction. Some people like to text. That said I wouldn't text during a movie unless it's my gf asking something. If it's about my meeting that's after my movie, then maybe I might respond too. If it's something time critical that would make life a lot easier for people, then yes I would respond.

People generalize texts being mostly social and pointless, but it's the same as any email at work. You make every effort to reply to emails, and I don't see anyone with a decent work ethic leaving their Outlook closed or taking 2 hours to respond when they're clearly at their desk and can do it in a second. Yes, texts are often social and pointless, and so you need to be more careful when it comes to responding. Just because you are one of those who doesn't enjoy texting doesn't mean you need to jump on the OP.

Get over it. It seems no one ever responds to the argument that if you're too busy watching someone text, you're clearly not watching the movie or you have ADD.

 

[Evadman]

Which theater? I am going to go there from now on.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Hacp
Turning off your cellphone is different from putting your cellphone on vibrate. You made a false assumption in backing your claim up. If you have a problem with a few people texting during a movie, you either need to concentrate more on the movie or purchase all the seats so you can have a nice quiet time at the movies.

I said that the back light from cell phones is distracting. Not for long, but when it happens again and again and again, it really starts to detract from the movie-going experience. Are you really so self-centered that you don't realize that what you do is ruining the movie-going experience for the majority of people in the theater who don't feel compelled to text messages the plot of the movie? God forbid, there's an emergency in the office! "t h e _ c o p i e r _ p a p e r _ i s _ i n _ t h e _ l e f t _ d r a w e r" Or, the horror - an emergency at home "t e l l _ t i m m y _ t o _ p u t _ t h e _ t o o t h _ u n d e r _ t h e _ p i l l o w _ f o r _ t h e _ t o o t h f a i r y"

I've just realized something. Anyone ever notice how there are those people in the world absolutely oblivious to their surroundings? The people who drive in the left lane, unaware that there are 30 cars behind them waiting to pass. The person in the grocery store, blocking the aisle with their cart while they can't make up their mind over a brand. The idiot driving on the road talking on his cell phone... wait a second...

I just did a google search for "oblivious of their surroundings" and over 1/6th of the hits had something to do with cell phones! Maybe many of the cell phone junkies really are that oblivious to their surroundings that they wouldn't notice a blinking light in the corner of their eye. Have cell phones somehow genetically altered humans to lose what once was a simple survival skill, fine tuned over millenia to help us at one time to avoid predators that would love to stick their fangs in us? Granted, there are no sabre toothed tigers any more, but humans once had the ability to detect subtle movements of a camouflaged predator. Now some of you humans can't even detect a cell phone blinking on and off?! In not even a couple thousand years time, some of us no longer even notice blinking lights flashing in the corners of our eyes. How the heck do you navigate the streets and survive?

maybe not all people suffer from Sensory Integration Dysfunction and can function in society with other people and not be overwhelmed.