Latecomers to screenings and other cinema nuisances

[SimonV]

No but if we take our seats first and later people leave empty seats next to us, it's not our responsibility. I don't see why I should give up my preferred seat for latecomers. They should sit where they find seats, I find it selfish to expect others to move for them - I was here at least half an hour earlier BECAUSE I want a good seat.

Ive no beef with that Beate, but the last time I went to wandsworth there were 2 women sat in the middle of a row to themselves with their bags and coats taking up the seats either side of them, eating their Mcdonalds.

They are the ones that I was talking about.

[Beate]

Well I sometimes put coats on seats if I think it won't get full (some screening rooms are awfully compact) but if I see people approaching I always take them off - I have no problem with people sitting next to me, I only have a problem if they try to rehouse me! And eating Macdonalds should be forbidden in a cinema!

[Ms Thrifty]

I've said this before, but if something bothers you, and you provide feedback to SFF or whichever organisation arranges the preview, put it in your feedback! They may not even read it, let alone act on it, but if enough people say this, and sufficiently often, the message should eventually get through. In theory the organisers want people to be able to concentrate on the film and provide good word-of-mouth, so if you say that your attention is distracted by latecomers, that's clearly not in their interest. On the other hand, they may care more about total numbers and less about how many people have seen the whole film and have been able to focus on its entirety...

[Beate]

Well the thing is it's all good and fine to tell SFF but they already say latecomers won't be admitted - ultimately, like with ID checks etc. it's the cinemas who decide what they do, and they generally couldn't care less.

[lovesitx]

I always get there early now especially if its a free film and especially if its a Vue as i like their VIP seats and the last couple of screenings i went to at Vue they only had 8 of these seats so I like to get there early and secure them

The only time i've ever been late into a film is when i've asked the steward person if the adverts are still on, if the adverts are still playing i'll go in if they aren't iwon't, i don't see the point of seeing a film if its already started.

What annoys me more though is when you go place like the Theatre and people are late, last week i went to see Cirque Du Soleil in London and people were rolling in nearly 30 minutes after it'd started, the ushers were using their torches which made it even more annoying, I don't get why you'd p*y £65 for a ticket then not even turn up on time.

[blip]

Husband and I find it a real struggle to get there for 6.30, but we always manage it, we've just about perfected the routine now :-) He gets in first and makes a quick sandwich, I desperately try and get out of work on time and swing by and pick him up, we bomb along to the cinema (keeping to maximum speed limits at all times of course), he drops me off outside, I go in and find where the screening is while he parks, I text him where to go, he then legs it from the carpark and we're seated by 25 past.

(Usually out of breath, exhausted and just grateful for a seat)

And then it's soooooooooooooo frustrating when the screening starts late!! Or people toddle in after it's started. I always make my feelings known by tutting in their general direction. That'll learn 'em.

[Cortone]

I hate latecomers too, because I think they are usually very selfish people They block the view of others, while trying to find seats together, and in a part of the cinema of their choice, often at a crucial part of the film. They often then chatter away about something to do with being late in, and then also keep asking each other what is going on. I have decided to abandon attempts to see a screening when I have been delayed in traffic, as I don't want to cause this disruption.

Sometimes you cannot help being late (although my level of sympathy reduces when they come in with popcorn, hot dogs, drinks, etc.), but latecomers should not be allowed to annoy others. But I guess the cinema just wants all the money from them, so as long as they have b*ght this, they will get in.

But as for the seats with coats etc., we often have a seat for our bags , but if someone wants that seat, or the cinema is full, then we give it up. It;'s no big deal to ask someone to move them.

But the best way to stop this would be if the screens were full - then latecomers would not be allowed.

[Spanner]

i say don't let any latercomers get in, or people who munch, crunch and slurp espeically with smelly and/or noisy food, or children cos they get on my wick, or peoplewho play with their mobile phones, or those with stinky feet who take their shoes off and put their plates on the backs of other peoples chairs, or those who kick the back of my chair (it is always me that gets a kicker behind) or people who talk during the screening (especially teenagers), or people with colds who cough and wheeze, or those with bald heads who cause off putting screen glare reflection, or those that need the toilet once the films started, or old people who just generally smell, or anyone who even tries to strike up a conversation with me. and especially those that clap at the end of a screening. They should all be banned imo

[Beate]

[valda]

Well sometimes you may be a few minutes late due to traffic or tubes, but you get in quick and take whatever seats are available. its the people who come in 20 mins or so late, but still laden down with popcorn and drinks. Mate if you're late at least do the decent thing and get in quickly, not queue up to feed your face. Oh and dont start waving your mobile phones around, its not a torch. I think I've only been a few minutes late ever.