Texting at the Movies is Rude

I think, by now, most everyone knows that it’s rude to talk in a movie theater. People don’t answer cell phone calls at the movies anymore. Why? Because it’s so much easier to text. However. Texting during a movie is also very rude, and just as distracting. You are in a dark theater. The movie screen is the only thing that is illuminated. If anything else lights up, such as your cell phone screen, suddenly everyone sitting in the same row or behind you will have their eyes drawn to your phone.

It’s really expensive to go to the movies, these days, so that’s why it’s so important to teach your kids to put their phones away at the movies…and set a good example by not touching your phone during movies, either.

For the record, I’ve totally been that lady who leans over and whispers, “Psst. Put your phone away! It’s distracting and rude!”

Why am I making this post now? Because one of my Facebook friends linked to this Alamo Drafthouse Cinema post that contains a complete NSFW video containing the uncensored voicemail message left by a girl who was kicked out of the theater for texting.

Aside from having a vulgar mouth, the girl who was texting shows how completely out of line she was several times during the message.

First, she claims she was using her phone screen as a flashlight to find her seat because it was so dark. Guess what, honey? Movie theaters are supposed to be dark! And none of the other patrons needed a flashlight to find their seats.

Then she goes on about how she “didn’t know” that texting wasn’t allowed, and that she has a right to text, and she’s texted in other cinemas in the area. The staff claims to have given her multiple warnings about texting before kicking her out, so that part doesn’t hold water. Right to text? It may be a free country, honey, but a private establishment has the right to enforce their own rules. The ignorance of people who think they can get away with anything because “it’s a free country” astounds me. And texting in other cinemas? That’s just a result of a lax staff, not a sign that other movie patrons in other theaters are okay with your texting.

Which brings me to her other “point,” that her phone was on silent, therefore not loud, therefore not distracting. As I stated above, anything that lights up and isn’t the movie screen is going to draw the eyes of everyone around. I’d say that lit phone screens can be more distracting than people talking sometimes, because you can always see them out of the corner of your eye.

Movie Theater Courtesy Tips

1. Movie theaters, like any other private business, have the right to make and enforce rules for proper conduct. Businesses have a right to refuse service to anyone who does not abide by these rules. If a staff member tells you not to do something, and you choose not to listen, it is their right to kick you out without a refund. Buying your ticket is kind of like signing a contract stating that you will abide by the theater’s rules. They are not ripping you off if you don’t hold up your end of the deal.
2. You do not have the right to distract other patrons. You think you do because you paid the price of admission? News flash. Everyone else forked over the money for their tickets, as well. They didn’t pay to hear your conversations or see your cell phone screen lighting up every 30 seconds. They paid to watch the movie in peace. (And probably paid for overpriced snacks, as well.) When it comes down to it, if you’re detracting from the experience that 20 other people paid a collective ~$200 for, your piddly $10 ticket price is not the priority. Cinemas would rather lose your business than everyone else’s business.
3. Get over yourself. Stop feeling like you’re entitled to do whatever you want wherever you want. Why is common courtesy so uncommon these days? The world does not revolve around you. Think about other people and how your behavior and actions affect them. Just because they’re not smacking you in the back of the head and telling you to quit it doesn’t mean you aren’t bothering them, by the way.
4. It’s okay to unplug for two hours. Anything that’s not important enough to leave the movie theater for (i.e. an emergency text that someone is being rushed to the hospital) can wait until after the movie. Friend drama and gossip can wait. And so can your “omg this is soooo funny!!!!” movie commentary.

I hope that none of the adults reading this post actually need a talking-to about this. I hope that these are lessons that, instead, you can teach your kids. But I will continue to loudly announce when I’m putting my phone away when the lights start to dim for the previews, telling my husband that my BlackBerry is going away until the movie ends so I don’t distract anyone else with the screen lighting up. That’s my quick (and possibly a bit obnoxious) way of informing the ignorant that texting during movies is rude.

What do you think? Do you hate when people text during movies? Or do you disagree?

Christina Gleason (976 Posts)

That’s me: Christina Gleason. I’m a writer, editor, and disability advocate. I'm a multiply disabled autistic lady doing my best in this world built for abled people. I’m a geek for grammar, fantasy, and casual gaming. I hate vegetables. I cannot reliably speak, so I’ll happily conduct business over email or messaging instead.