The worst movie etiquette I ever experienced came halfway through The Sixth Sense, the film with the most famously shocking plot twist since The Crying Game. The woman sitting in front of me kept leaning over to her companion and complaining about plot holes. “Why did he do this?” “What about that?”
Frustrated, the companion, who apparently had seen the movie before, hissed his reply at her. I won’t reveal what he said because I have manners; I don’t give away plot turns on which an entire movie hinges, spoiling the movie for people who haven’t yet seen it.
But given the amount of chatting that goes on during movies these days, apparently not everyone thinks talking during a movie is bad manners. Or that texting, crying babies, or crackling noisy wrappers during pivotal scenes might also be rude. It’s tragic that someone has to spell it out, but there a few simple behaviors that, if observed by everyone, would make seeing a movie even more enjoyable.
Move the line along.
Decide what movie you want to see before you get to the ticket counter, and have a backup option in case your movie is sold out. Have your credit card or cash ready so you don’t hold up the line while you dig through your purse or wallet.
Be on time.
Arrive early enough to get your popcorn and drink, find a seat, and get settled before the previews start. Also, keep in mind that the first weekend of a new release can get crowded. So showing up at 7:43 for a 7:45 movie means that as you make your way to the last two seats in the middle of the row, you’ll likely end up stepping on toes and putting your rear in the face of those who arrived on time.
Whisper, don’t talk.
The previews are as much a part of the movie-going experience for some people as the movie itself, so when they start, stop talking. Whispering is okay, but be considerate. Try to open any packages with noisy wrappers before the lights go down.
