How to Act at the Cinema 2024

How to Act at the Cinema 2024

We have reached the year 2024, and we still see people unable to behave respectfully at the cinema. There was that viral image of somebody using a LAPTOP! yes LAPTOP through a whole screening. While my personal experiences have improved, I still see others dealing with people unable to follow simple ideas. You must respect the people around you at the cinema.

Today I am going to follow up my 2023 Cinema Rules, with a new set. Some might be the same as last year, but some things still haven’t changed.

How to Act at the Cinema 2024

1 – Be On Time

When it comes to attending the cinema, we all know we are going to see adverts and trailers. I understand people might want to skip these as most trailers give away the whole story. However, I have seen people turn up 15-20 minutes into the presentation. A lot of the time, this has also included a major plot point that they now have no idea about.

There isn’t any real excuse for being late to a showing, because they are advertised to start at a set time. That time includes the ads and trailers, which means people are sometimes turning up over 45 minutes late to the presentation. Also, if you are late, don’t blind the people who turned up on time with your phone light, you should know the seat you picked before entering the auditorium.

2 – No Phones During the Film

I know everybody’s life is now run by their mobile phones. However, it is healthy to have a disconnect for a time and that time is when you attend the cinema. You don’t need to check your social media every 15 minutes during a film. Or have a conversation on a chat app. However, I do suggest that anything you want to do on your phone before the film, through trailers and ads is a free game. But once the movie starts, put it in your bag, pocket or wherever keeps it safe and out of sight.

One of my own frustrating recent experiences saw somebody checking their phone while sat in the middle of the screening. It lite up the whole auditorium and there was no reason for it. This is distracting and annoying, along with disrespectful to everyone else there.

3 – Smartwatches, the New Menace

Smartwatches are a new game and do have an important part of people’s live. However, some people leave them connected to every single update on their phone, which leaves them flashing through a movie. People should switch off the notification feature or cover up the watch. I do understand that some of the watches are connected for more vital things, so I wouldn’t say full remove them, just cover them up for the rest of the audience.

4 – No Talking

Here we are at the most obvious rule people fail to follow. I recently had three people discuss every plot point unfolding in Argylle. Despite the fact they were watching the movie, they felt they needed to discuss each and every plot twist in that movie. While that is just my own experience, countless others have dealt with people chatting away during the movie. You don’t need to discuss every plot point during the movie, if you want to do that, watch it at home. This is an important rule for How to Act at the Cinema 2024.

5 – Don’t Leave a Mess

One of the big discussions I see people having is whether to take your rubbish with you when you leave. Of course, you take your rubbish with you, there are always bins near or outside the exit. It causes you no harm to carry an empty box, packet, or bottle to one of these locations. The bigger the mess you leave, the worse state it will be for your next visit because the turnaround time is tight. I understand accidents can happen, but just leaving popcorn bits and pieces on the floor shows people don’t know how to eat it properly.

6 – Keep Your Feet Down

Another one of my least favourite things to see at the cinema. People put their feet up on the seat in front of them. I have had people nearly rest their feet on my head because they were that selfish. If you put your dirty shoes on the seat in front of you, it is unfair to the next person who uses it as a seat. You don’t walk into your friend’s house and put your feet up on the furniture. Neither do you do it at a bar, café, or any other business, so why do it at the cinema? This should be the first rule of How to Act at the Cinema 2024.

7 – Respect the People Around You

The cinema can see you needing to sit next to a stranger or two. You must remember to give them the space and respect you would expect. Along with the other behaviour, it is about respecting the boundaries of the other visitors at the cinema. This is also the fact you might be naturally late or need to use the restroom. Make sure you don’t disturb the people around you more than you need to.

8 – Don’t Be ‘That’ Person

I mentioned the laptop person, well ‘That’ person is the one who goes viral for being the problem. You don’t want to see everyone react to your stupid, selfish behaviour, do you? No, so don’t make yourself the centre of attention in a cinema screening. People will notice you and will remember your actions.

9 – Respect the Employees

The employees at the cinema are put through a lot of challenging tasks. We have seen that with the reaction after a massive Blockbuster opening. If you follow some of the simple rules, you will make their job easier. Much like how you would like people to make your job easier. A please and Thank You never hurt anyone either. However, if things don’t go to plan, don’t blame the employees, they are just doing a job, and most of the time it is out of their control.

10 – Don’t Do a Homer

When you leave the cinema, make sure you are not discussing major plot points for the next attendees to overhear. Nothing is worse than hearing a spoiler before going into a movie that has kept things under wraps. Remember, think about how you would feel if somebody had walked past you and told you Darth Vadar was Luke Skywalker’s father.

How to Act at the Cinema 2024, What are your thoughts?

What rules do you think should be added for the cinematic audience?