CliffStephenson

You really didn't answer the question, so I'll just copy/paste it again:

Why are you so Goddamn special as to be able to disregard the rules of the theater when they ask for cell phones to be shut off?

Is the answer simply because you're sly enough to get away with it?

That's not my problem. I have issues with my job and life, but I don't bring them everywhere with me. Parents, Doctors, and Firefighters all chose those paths and it shouldn't be up to everyone else to move out of their way. I couldn't get to a Q&A a few weeks ago because my job had me working around the clock, but I never expected them to reschedule it for me.

Why, because you have children, does the world have to make exceptions for you? I have things in my life that don't allow for me to be out of contact... I don't choose those times to go to the movies.

But it is a problem, which is why this is now an issue. We have lots of rules and laws that were created simply because of the actions of a few.

But if I break that law and get caught enough times they don't let me drive anymore.

Trust me, I appreciate the lengths you go to to be discrete, but you started this by belittling my habit of following the rules in the theater. You go on and on about courtesy, but to disregard the cell phone rule just because you feel you are discrete about it is discourteous. There's no getting around that fact no matter how you'd like to spin it.

And I'm not an arsonist/hijacker, yet I can't bring a lighter onto an airplane. I don't try to get around it and smuggle one on simply because I know I'm not one of the "problem" travelers and think the rules don't apply to me.

And you've done nothing to convince me you think otherwise.

I'm not, I'm judging you based on things you said. "Even though we're asked to turn our phones off, I don't because I'm different."

I totally agree. But this is targeted at a more widespread and rude group. People just haven't gotten the hint and as a result, everyone has to be targeted. The people who are the real problems don't think they're the problem either. You ever try to hush somebody talking during a film? They react to you like you're bothering them.

slavetotherave

I think the point is that no matter how many rules and regulations you post and enforce there's always SOMEONE who will be annoying. But to block cell phone usage all together would just inconvenience those who are more reasonable about it, like the ones who turn on vibrate and take their calls outside.

In a public place you can't get rid of annoying people. There will always be something to piss you off in theaters. Talkers, kids, really tall people that sit right in front of you. Putting up cell phone blockers would probably just make those offensive people talk louder. At my theater our manager told us that our building blocked out most signals... anywhere in there you only got from zero to one bar of reception. That didn't stop people from trying. "HELLO?! I CAN'T HEAR YOU. YOU'RE BREAKING UP... I ONLY HAVE ONE BAR HERE." It just makes things worse. The people we're talking about obviously never cared for common courtesy in the first place.

Usually, those kinds of restrictions only hurt the people it doesn't intend to. You can't satisfy everyone. It's safer to just deal with everything on a case by case basis and not an across the board punishment. And I still stand by the fact that, yes, it's selfish that they put themselves above everyone else around them, but lack of patience is also a selfish mindset. Wiggle room is needed in all aspects of life. Nothing is air tight.

hmurchison

Geez this is such a non issue. Sure a phone may go off..deal with it. If it becomes a problem go ask for your money back.

I'm not going ask someone to risk being out of touch potentially in time of an emergency to placate some grouch. Hate the occaisional phone going off....stay home.

naughty jonny

No. Primarily for emergency reasons. Remember that those people who DO have an emergency can always leave the movie to take the call. Vibrate/silent mode is pretty easy to acheive.

If someone IS talking during the movie (be it on a phone or just chatting to the person next to them), then just kick them out and don't let them see the end of the film. If a cell phone rings so that everyone can hear, kick them out and don't let them see the end of the film. Pure and simple.

Also, if they're doing blocking inside the theatre, unless it's extremely efficient, won't that also block the lobby? Great way to ensure that people use the expensive payphone in the lobby

Jon2

Told ya so.

Michael Ballack

I think my side won the argument though. Just look at the polls.

slavetotherave

Yeah, and you could literally say that about just about any arguement. Astute.

Touché. However, this IS a forum made for people so into movies we buy them in bulk and aspire to own massive home theater systems, etc etc... it is a little biased.

Michael Corvin

round and round it goes, when this discussion finds a solution no one will no.

If a tree falls in the woods, does it make a sound?

If you are in a dark theater and you see me get up and leave, did I break some kind of rule?

The answer would be no, Mr. Grissom. That is ALL the information you would have to go on, plain and simple. That is what it boils down to. You wouldn't have a fucking clue why I was leaving the theater if I hadn't posted here and told you that I kept my phone on silent mode. Does that make me special? No. Does it make me sly? I guess, if you discount the fact that is why the feature is on the phone in the first place. So I guess that is your big answer you have been wanting. I am so sly to use the technology for the benefit of other theater goers. Damn me! Not all PSA's say the same thing, btw, some say Silence all pagers and phones, so again, no I'm not breaking some golden rule you seem to be hung up on.

Look at the poll results. 21% against. That is a good size percentage, especially since the demo on this forum is mid-20s to mid-30s. So 21% (was 25% earlier) have enough of a legitimate reason to be against this, even if only 3 of us are defending our choice.

Of which I am not a part of. So why continue attacking me? For fun? Convenience since those people won't speak up? You turn your phone off. Great for you. I put mine in silent mode for the same effect. Great for me. We both get what we want. Can we move on?

And lastly:
to comparing cell phone users to terrorists. Highlight of the thread so far. Definitely sig worthy material.

awmurray

It's a non issue to you, but read the first post: theater owners want to block cell phones. Not a minority of "grouches".

And this is why theater owners want to block cell phones: because people are staying at home.

awmurray

Not to interrupt, but the theater owners want to block cell phones. They wouldn't do that unless their market research indicated that a good majority of their customers want it also.

Jackskeleton

So wait.. Doctors on call can still bring babies to the theater?

This is great P.R. to get folks going back to the theater when they realize that assholes wont ruin their trip.

slavetotherave

Well, you know, the polls he was referring to were the ones on this board. And if it was such a clear cut majority of the market researchers' findings, wouldn't they have just gone ahead and done it? I think the fact that this is debated at all shows that there is an arguement for both sides, and that neither one can totally invalidate the other's claims.

Jackskeleton

Did you read the first post? They want to do it. So it's not a matter of it being done at the drop of the hat but that they have done some research beyond this thread and feel that it would be a good move to bring back the lackluster theatre turn outs these days.

Libby

Cellphone talkers seem rare when I go to the theatre...its just those fucking kids that seem all too common.

slavetotherave

Lackluster theater turn outs, I feel, are more due to lackluster films and more interest in DVDs. The movies are released on the shelves much sooner than 10 years ago, and as a result it's easier to just wait for it. There's so much more than cell phones that cause people to wait it out.

CliffStephenson

Actually, it's pretty much a vendetta at this point. You took a swipe at me when I said that I always turned my phone off, as you're supposed to do. To which you responded, "What, do you want a cookie?" So you were busting my balls about being as courteous as possible, while you were openly admitting to rather douchey behavior over an ongoing 6 year period. If you want to slam me for following the rules, be sure your nose is just as clean and someone can't call bullshit on you.

Speaking of which, if your phone has only rung once in the past 6 years... your child is 18 months old and lets add another 9 months for the obvious pins and needles pregnancy that you had to always be on call for, that leaves almost 4 years pre-pregnancy where you still kept your phone on. What was so godawful touch and go those first 4 years? Somehow I just get the feeling that this was your MO all along.

I have nothing further to contribute to this discussion. There just seem to be places where a cell phone is inappropriate, no matter how discrete you are about it (Movies, Plays, Weddings, Funerals, Libraries...). As others have said... If your life is so important you can't be out of contact or you're so worried about something happening while you're away for two hours, don't leave the fucking house!

matome

Looks like lightning bugs infest the theater when we go to a weekend showing.

Michael Corvin

Fine and dandy I can take all you dish out, & the cookie thing was meant as a joke, but you still fail to point out how exactly I(or any other silent phone user) am/are disturbing other patrons or contributing to the problem with a silent phone. You can say I'm/we are breaking a rule by all you want, but that is a pretty thin arguement if you don't even know if I own a phone, much less have it on.

back to the actual topic:
There are many more issues with theaters that contribute to a non-enjoyable experience that can all be solved with either common courtesy or customer service. The theater owners have zero interest in customer service so they are picking the easiest target in a way they don't have to get their hands dirty. Complaints go in one ear and out the other. "Here is a free pass to come back." Sorry, that isn't an acceptable solution to the problem. It doesn't even address the problem.

The phone issue has actually slowed around here. Much like the laser pointers it has all but disappeared. Too many realize how many hate it and give them shit in the theater and how it isn't cool. I think the problem will work itself out, it just takes time, not drastic measures. It used to be a few people per movie a couple years back, now, at least for me, it is once every other movie or so. It all sounds like an expensive and drastic measure grasping at straws to get more people in the seats for a trend that is dying down.

So is it still a huge problem for everyone else? Or once you think about it, does it seem to be dying a slow death compared to a year ago? Two years? Getting worse?

Giles

what I find funny, is that after the 'film' reminder to silence your phones - the phones and their various turn off chimes are varied and whimsical to hear coming from various parts of the auditorium- are there NOT any phones that shut off 'quietly'.

joeblow69

Even if their cell phones are blocked, assholes will still find a way to be assholes in the movie theatre.

I think a lot of you people are being WAY overly sensitive. Oh no, someone is text messaging, and I see a faint blue light! Oh the horror! Cry me a freakin river...

awmurray

No, they haven't done it because it is against Federal law to actively jam an electronic device (i.e. block cell phone usage). The article is saying that they are petitioning the FCC to allow active blocking of cell phone usage. This is a big step and I think it shows that their market research determined that this would be a popular move.

awmurray

When I was at King Kong this weekend, a group of people directly in front of me opened one up. It is very distracting. I think they got a message or something because they passed it around between themselves (4 of them) so they could all see how clever it was. At one point, it looked like they were taking a picuture of the screen as if to say, "Look I'm cool, I'm watching King Kong".

Mopower

I leave my cell phone in the car when I go to the theater. Hell I leave it in the car when I go to the grocery store. If someone calls they can leave a message. If it's an emergency I doubt me knowing about it the second it happens is going to save anyones life. Cell phones are the most useful yet annoying things ever invented.

resinrats

So an question about Doctors and Firefighters. Are they on call 24/7 that they can't go a few hours unreachable? They probably have times when they are off-duty but have to be able to be reached but I can't see that being all the time. They could never take a trip or travel any distance from their home since they can't be at work in a a short time. If you are not on duty or on call, they should have no issues with not being able to be reached. As for others, tough. As pointed before, there was a time when there were no cell phones and the world kept going fine so it can still go on without cells in a movie.

Fok

I say block them, if they need to talk to someone, then they shouldn't be in the movie in the first place.