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Question for those who bring babies into theaters...

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Question for those who bring babies into theaters...

Old 07-01-04, 10:45 AM
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Question for those who bring babies into theaters...

Like a psychologist who is trying to understand the reasoning behind serial killers, I would like to understand the resoning behind another sociopath: parents who bring their babies into movie theaters.

I'm trying to be very nice here and thus won't let you know how I really feel about this (I'd be arrested). I just want to understand.

This is a fairly recent phenomenon. I've been going to the theater for the past 30 years and have only seen babies in theaters in the past 5 years or so. Most movies I have gone to recently (rated R or not) have had more than one baby in it. Crying. Screaming. Making noise.

My question is, WHY do you bring babies into the theater? WHAT is going through your minds? Do you not think that anyone's going to be bothered by it? Do you not care about your fellow theater goers? Do you think the baby is enjoying the movie and understands what's going on?

Just curious. I'd like a serious answer though, because I just don't get it.
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Old 07-01-04, 10:59 AM
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I think it's a combination of their inability to find someone to watch the baby while they go to the movies AND a complete lack of consideration for others.

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Old 07-01-04, 11:02 AM
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They either can't find a babysitter, are too lazy to find a babysitter, or don't want to spend the money on a babysitter.
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Old 07-01-04, 11:03 AM
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Well, it's NOT a recent phenomenon...I've seen babies being brought into theaters since at least the late 80's. The excuse I usually hear is "we can't afford a babysitter" or "we don't trust a babysitter" or "we knew you were coming tonight and wanted to annoy the hell out of you".

Actually, I have NO problem with babies in theaters...as long as the parent is responsible enough to take the baby to the lobby whenever it starts crying, cooing or screaming. A bigger problem I have is when parents bring their 4 and 5 year olds to an R-Rated flick. That's bordering on child abuse, depending on the content of the film.
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Old 07-01-04, 11:08 AM
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Originally posted by Shannon Nutt

A bigger problem I have is when parents bring their 4 and 5 year olds to an R-Rated flick. That's bordering on child abuse, depending on the content of the film.
The better reason why more films should be rated NC-17 so adults can enjoy a film without the clueless parents that think bringing their children to any and all R-rated films and believe it to be acceptable.

Last edited by Giles; 07-01-04 at 12:49 PM.
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Old 07-01-04, 11:19 AM
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I think it's pretty obvious why parents do this:

They're selfish, self abosorbed, functionally retarded vermin who are really just begging to be skull f***ed and forced to eat my shit.
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Old 07-01-04, 11:31 AM
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Originally posted by Shannon Nutt
Actually, I have NO problem with babies in theaters...as long as the parent is responsible enough to take the baby to the lobby whenever it starts crying, cooing or screaming.
I live in CA. That RARELY happens here. I heard two hours of cooing/crying last night while watching Spider-man 2.

I think theater owners should charge a special "baby price" that's twice as much as the adult price. Then the parents will realize it's probably cheaper just to hire a babysitter.

Still, I WOULD like to hear from actual parents who do this and I DO want to know what goes on in their heads.
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Old 07-01-04, 11:37 AM
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Excellent Thread!!!!!
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Old 07-01-04, 11:38 AM
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Re: Question for those who bring babies into theaters...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nodeerforamonth
Like a psychologist who is trying to understand the reasoning behind serial killers, I would like to understand the resoning behind another sociopath: parents who bring their babies into movie theaters.[/quote/

And a loosely related question: Why do people bring babies to restraunts at 9 PM. Gee, ya think the baby's gonna be tired and cranky? And yet another question: Why does the waiter always insist on putting me at the table immediatly next to the crying baby at a restraunt at 9 PM?

Parents are in many ways the most selfless people on the planet. But there are certian times, certian parents, where a minority of them just the most selfish and oblivious, too. It doesn't occur to some of them that the screaming child is going to be obnoxious to others.
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Old 07-01-04, 11:39 AM
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I can't remember the details, but earlier this year, one of the evening broadcast network news programs had a feature on a theater (I think it was in New York CIty) that had special showings set aside specifically for parents who wanted to bring their babies with them.

I can't recall ever hearing crying babies at any movies in my area.
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Old 07-01-04, 11:41 AM
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Originally posted by Pants
I think it's pretty obvious why parents do this:
Removed
But completely beyond comprehension why you're posting that crap to our forum even after you've been suspended for it.

BANNED!

DVD Talk now has no Pants.
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Old 07-01-04, 11:48 AM
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Originally posted by gkleinman
DVD Talk now has no Pants.
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Old 07-01-04, 11:49 AM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by mgbfan
Originally posted by nodeerforamonth
Like a psychologist who is trying to understand the reasoning behind serial killers, I would like to understand the resoning behind another sociopath: parents who bring their babies into movie theaters.[/quote/

And a loosely related question: Why do people bring babies to restraunts at 9 PM. Gee, ya think the baby's gonna be tired and cranky? And yet another question: Why does the waiter always insist on putting me at the table immediatly next to the crying baby at a restraunt at 9 PM?

Parents are in many ways the most selfless people on the planet. But there are certian times, certian parents, where a MINORITY of them just the most selfish and oblivious, too. It doesn't occur to some of them that the screaming child is going to be obnoxious to others.

MINORITY

What are you trying to say??????

Last edited by Jiber2001; 07-01-04 at 12:03 PM.
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Old 07-01-04, 12:04 PM
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Originally posted by gkleinman
But completely beyond comprehension why you're posting that crap to our forum even after you've been suspended for it.

BANNED!

DVD Talk now has no Pants.
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Old 07-01-04, 12:16 PM
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Originally posted by gkleinman
DVD Talk now has no Pants.
I thought i felt a draft...




I don't ever recall hearing babies in theaters...either i forgot or i've actually had decent parents who take thier kids to the lobby.

I'll never understand the "i couldnt afford a babysitter" excuse.

You have the money to go see a movie but not for a babysitter?
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Old 07-01-04, 12:22 PM
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I've only brought my daughter to two movies since her birth: ICE AGE and SHREK 2.

And the only reason why she was there was because I worked on those two flicks and it was a huge family event for us.


(And plus, she was asleep on both occasions, so she made no noise!)

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Old 07-01-04, 12:24 PM
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funny how we can still see what language and tone Pants got himself suspended over. Guess that's a lesson on what not to say.
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Old 07-01-04, 12:27 PM
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Originally posted by Giles
funny how we can still see what language and tone Pants got himself suspended over. Guess that's a lesson on what not to say.
Indeed. I wish the mods would do that all the time, so people can see what is unacceptable, rather than deleting the posts and doing the banning/suspending over e-mail, with most members coming into the thread after the fact and having no idea why the person was punishied.
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Old 07-01-04, 12:29 PM
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I once had a mother bring 3-4 little kids, all under 8 or so, to one of the Scary Movie's. The really nasty one too. I was really uncomfortable, but she had me outnumbered with all the rugrats.
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Old 07-01-04, 12:34 PM
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I think they should be hung, assuming we are talking a movie directed toward teens or adults.

Last edited by Red Dog; 07-01-04 at 12:36 PM.
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Old 07-01-04, 12:47 PM
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Originally posted by milo bloom
I once had a mother bring 3-4 little kids, all under 8 or so, to one of the Scary Movie's. The really nasty one too. I was really uncomfortable, but she had me outnumbered with all the rugrats.
There were two kids sitting behind me when I saw Scary Movie. I'd guess they were about five and two. The five year old kept asking his mother to explain the jokes, most of which involved penises. To this day, my wife regrets not turning around and explaining the jokes to the kid in graphic detail.

There was another kid who was probably around eight a few rows in front of me during the Sixth Sense. Well, he was there during the first half of the Sixth Sense. Eventually, he and his parents had to leave because it was too scary for him.

Most people are selfish idiots.
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Old 07-01-04, 01:06 PM
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Originally posted by Giles
funny how we can still see what language and tone Pants got himself suspended over. Guess that's a lesson on what not to say.
It was a lot nicer than what I was going to say!
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Old 07-01-04, 01:10 PM
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Originally posted by jeffkjoe
I've only brought my daughter to two movies since her birth: ICE AGE and SHREK 2.

And the only reason why she was there was because I worked on those two flicks and it was a huge family event for us.


(And plus, she was asleep on both occasions, so she made no noise!)

Yes, but she is 25. You mormons really shouldn't be so strict.
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Old 07-01-04, 01:15 PM
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It goes back to the "me, me, me" attitude predominate in today's U.S. culture. I would guess that 7 out of 10 moviegoers would have no qualm doing this and would never even think about what consequence this might have on the enjoyment of others....
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Old 07-01-04, 01:21 PM
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^^exactly^^ Well, maybe 9 out of 10 where I am.
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