The buzz in town is the new 3D screen at the heart of the central business district, which I had the pleasure of attending and caught the WRATH OF THE TITANS in its full splendor. I enjoyed good seating and a great movie thanks to the revamped theatre, awesome sound and much to my relief, the good manners observed by the patrons themselves. Being a movie junkie, I have come across one too many annoying habits during my escapades to the movie theatre. I here by write to you dear readers the do’s and don’ts at the movies so that when you go out to watch the next flick, you can participate in creating an enjoyable experience as I had for those around you.
1. Before the movie
- Arrive at the theatre at least ten minutes before the movie starts. This will allow you to buy your snacks at the concession stand in good time and have your seat in the theatre so that you don’t have to distract people watching when you take your seat ten minutes into the movie. Even the bootleggers will appreciate this.
- Take time to go to the rest room before the movie begins.
- When you are seated and all ready to start watching your movie, take out your cell phone and turn it off or on silent. The worst thing that could happen is for your phone to go off in the middle of the movie and play out the ringtone you just installed.
2. During the movie
Once you are all set to have the next two hours consumed by the motion feature, there are still some elements of movie manners that must be observed;
- Just because you turned off your phone does not mean that you will not have a conversation. The person next to you may prove to be as entertaining as the movie itself…resist it. Do not have a conversation with your neighbors because this will distract other watchers. Save anything lengthy that you have to say for the end of the movie.
- The PDA factor. Even though going out for a movie with your girlfriend/wife/partner is one of those special moments together, please avoid public displays of affection, and note that just because the lights are turned off doesn’t mean that you can’t be seen. Save the heavy petting for your bedroom.
- Carrying your own food to the theatre is normally against the theatre policy, and we do know this for a fact. That’s why all foreign food that sneaks its way into the theatre does so in big handbags or backpacks. The smell of rice and beans at the theatre can be off putting, even nauseating to fellow patrons. Avoid embarrassing moments for yourself as well by not getting caught with foreign food at the theatre and having to get kicked out.
- If you must go to the bathroom in the middle of the movie, do not go announcing that you are doing so. A simple whispered “excuse me” will suffice. Make your way quietly out of the hall and when you get back make your way to your seat quietly as well.
- When the movie seems to be the funniest thing that you have seen in ages, by all means laugh. But even as you do, be mindful of the people around you and keep it decent. Bellowing your guts out in the name of laughter is just unseemly.
- When you are eating, do not throw your eating manners out the window. Chew with your mouth closed. Avoid munching away at crisps as it is distracting. Find a seemingly silent way to go about it.
- Keep your shoes on and feet to yourself.
3. After the Movie
The movie is over! Now what?
-Be courteous to those around you and allow those ahead of you to move out first before you do. Don’t shove your way out!
- Carry out your trash with you and throw it in the bin that you will find just outside the hall.
-You can finally turn your phone back on once the movie is over, whether still in or out of the theatre doesn’t really matter.
-Call back anyone that you need to but do so outside the hall to avoid any loud back ground music still playing from the movie just ended.
Enjoy your movie experience and even more so, make it enjoyable for others.
Article by Joyce Muthoni (Associate Director Public Image)
