So one thing I enjoy doing is going to the movies. Sometimes just to kill time and sometimes to see a favorite actor doing what they do best. This time was because it was a new western…my favorite genre. And it stars a couple of actors I really enjoy: Christian Bale, Wes Studi and Ben Foster. I won’t get into spoilers and details, but it is really good. Brutal and violent but good with a great story.
What I am really here to write about is how rude some people are that go to the movies. I tend to arrive a bit early because that is just how I am. Can’t stand showing up when the crowd is piling up at the door or late when you can’t find a seat in the dark.
So after finding the perfect seat, with hardly anyone else in the theater yet, I settle in with my way too big bucket of popcorn and jug of Barqs Vanilla soda. Mind you, there are no other customers anywhere around me and this couple comes in and sits right next to me. The lady half of the couple literally shoved my arm off the armrest and settled herself in. Ok, I can deal with that. But then, the smell hit me like a brick wall. She must have doused herself with a five gallon bucket of perfume. Good grief. Since perfumes will give me a headache, I politely moved past them and went to another row ahead where my sinuses wouldn’t be quite so inundated with the overpowering smell of lilacs, or whatever it was.
I thought that would be the end of any issues that might pop up. But I was wrong. So, so wrong.
Several minutes into the movie, a cell phone starts to ring. And ring. And ring. I glanced back and it was the gentleman who had accompanied the perfumed woman. Oh great. He actually answered the phone and had a conversation. Luckily, it was a short one. Minutes later, another cell phone rings. And rings. And rings. Yup, it was the same guy but a different ring tone. And yes, he answered it. By now, everyone is giving him the look, but he is oblivious. Thankfully he hung up quickly. And boom, not five minutes later, you guessed it…Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring. Yet another ringtone. This guy must have a different ring tone for everyone on his contact list. This time, his perfumed companion told him, loudly, to be quiet so she can watch the movie. Never mind the rest of us. So he hung up.
Luckily, that was the last call he received. However, the text messages started and his notification sound was cranked up for all of us to enjoy for a short period of time.
By now, I was beginning to wonder if it was possible for the moody and ticked off Christian Bale character to come off the screen and drag this guy across the rocky ground that was the backdrop of the movie. Then poof, suddenly no more phone sounds and I was able to enjoy a great movie, along with the other patrons who had shelled out money to see it, as well.
So in the future, if anyone insists on taking their cell phone into the theater, perhaps they should try to realize they are not the only ones there. It only takes a second to run out to the lobby to talk on a phone. And maybe don’t dump an entire truckload of perfume on yourself before going out in public.
Be considerate. It is an easy thing to do. Quiet please, the movie is starting…