Planning on Going to the Movies? Follow These Easy Steps So Everyone Can Have a Good Time

MasterValkyrie 2021-09-28 22:11:09 UTC #1

Four months ago I started a new job at a movie theater (AMC to be exact). I wanted to wait until I have experienced everything before making this post. So now is a great time, especially since so many big hitters are coming out in October.

1. Don't get upset at crew members, especially for stuff that is out of their control.

We don't make the prices, rules, or inventory shortages. Just because our large cups are $7 doesn't mean we should take your anger full force. I shouldn't say this but sneak in food like everyone else if you don't wanna drop $60 on popcorn and drinks. Also don't get upset if we turn your children away, forcing you to come and pick them up. The letter R is not just for decoration. And if you're a teen, we don't care how "mentally mature" you are. No ID = No Entry to R-Rated movies.

2. Don't be Trifling

It is the usher's job to clean after guests. But that doesn't mean you get to throw your trash all over the auditorium. If you don't want to clean up after yourself or your kids, that's fine. But at the VERY LEAST do not stuff your trash underneath, behind, or inside the recliners. Recliners are roughly 75 pounds (at least the ones where I work are.) We don't have the strength or the time to flip hundreds of pounds worth of chairs in order to clean up your unnecessary messes.

3. Remember that we are only human.

People forget that we crew members are nothing more than just pawns on the corporate chain. Disposable and replaceable at the flick of a wrist. Yes, we are expected to be respectful and polite to our guests, BUT that treatment will be thrown out the window real quick. Most of us don't care enough to remain calm when dealing with hostile customers. I have seen 3 people get fired on the spot because they snapped at disrespectful guests. The customer may always be right, but they aren't always right.

4. DON'T PISS IN BOTTLES AND LEAVE THEM BEHIND THE SEAT. GET UP AND GO TO THE BATHROOM

Kann 2021-09-28 22:22:56 UTC #2

That last one is very specific. But to think something like that really happens in cinemas...

Btw, I sneaked in food to the movies for as long as I remember and only a few years ago learned it's against the rules...

Kelheor 2021-09-28 22:25:48 UTC #3

These things come off as a "general knowledge" to me personally, but the last one is just...wow.

crimson_mystery_cake 2021-09-29 07:45:27 UTC #4

Honestly can't say I was expecting where that was headed when I opened the thread

Lensing 2021-09-29 09:09:22 UTC #5

When I was a teenager we could 1) smoke in the cinema and 2) my rockabilly friends and me could take a crate of beer with us but that was just because one of our boys was working at the popcorn machine.
But it was normal in the 1980s that people were smoking in the cinema, can you believe that?

nostalgicroxas 2021-09-29 11:53:52 UTC #6

I always bring in granola bars and shit into the theater and a bottle of water. Anyone wanna take them away from me Imma be like WHAT IF IM DIABETIC HUH AND I HAVE A COMA BECAUSE YOU TOOK AWAY MY RATIONS FOR THE NEXT THREE HOURS?

That last one though. That.... is so gross.

Also who the hell stuffs their trash all over the recliner? If you're too lazy to clean it up, at least put it in an easy to see spot on the floor.

irresponsiblepics 2021-09-29 14:27:03 UTC #7

Yeah here in the UK we had designated smoking areas in the cinema back in the 80's so can believe it!
As for going to the cinema...
When filmmakers start telling good stories again without having some kind of agenda to push then I might be willing to go back to the cinema.
I do not consider Marvel movies to be any good either XD

migxmeg 2021-09-29 14:41:03 UTC #8

And I really hope you've seen the worst because... what the hell #4 - there's no way you should have to put up with that.

fleurravenbooks 2021-09-29 14:45:20 UTC #9

i feel sad that you had to post this, people are disgusting sometimes........ever since a was a kid i had rule not to do something i wouldn't do at home, will you piss in a bottle and leave it in the middle of living room?

PKLucky 2021-09-29 14:47:41 UTC #10

I am horrified but also unexpectedly unsurprised at that last point. People do crazy shit, man

MasterValkyrie 2021-09-29 16:51:08 UTC #11

I thought it was general knowledge too. But I guess we thought wrong. People can be very disgusting and very hostile.

MasterValkyrie 2021-09-29 17:00:35 UTC #12

Hahahaha, I honestly wish this was the worst. This one is just the most common. Other things I have seen are:

Human poop in front of our trash compactor.
A puddle of pee NEXT to the toilet.
Unflushed toilets.
Puke.
Condoms.
And menstrual blood on a recliner (this one is perfectly fine and not the guest's fault whatsoever but it's still gross because it's still blood at the end of the day.)

And this is a story my coworkers told me, but apparently our GM caught two guys having sex in the bathroom.

In conclusion Ushers suffer more than any other position.

ar-ninetysix 2021-09-29 17:03:14 UTC #13

The last one.. what the hell?

Do you not go to the bathroom before going to the theaters or watching the movie?

I know there's no way you brought an empty bottle to pee in, so like for whatever reason.. you thought it'd be smart to bring a drink and just down it fast enough to the point where you could pee in it during the movie.

I understand needing to pee during the movie, but come on! Why on earth would you ever consider doing it in the damn seats?? That's some goddamn stealth ops you gotta pull in order to unzip your pants and manage to do that without drawing attention to yourself, and that's if the theater's "reasonably empty" enough to do such a thing!

Last but definitely not least, if you're gonna pee in a bottle and be unsanitary as hell, TAKE THE DAMN BOTTLE WITH YOU! You already decided to be small brain and knowingly piss in a bottle at your own inconvenience, the least you could do is clean up after yourself! Don't make some undeserving employee have to pick that bottle up and dispose of it! And if you dare give that excuse of "Well, I'm creating work for the employees so they don't slack off", I think there's a special place in hell for people like you? Have some decency for how you impact others through your own behavior!

I am sorry for anyone that has to put up with that omg

migxmeg 2021-09-29 17:49:54 UTC #14

Goodbye faith in humanity

thecrystalrook 2021-09-29 17:58:29 UTC #15

I have to pee every hour on the hour, so going before does nothing for me. That said, I still don't piss in a bottle. Install the RunPee app on your phone, it'll tell you what part of the movie is safe to take a bathroom break for.