# I'm not giving up my seat **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 16, 2013, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431 "2013-01-16T22:34:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 59
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1161 "2013-01-22T11:28:05Z")
Michelle Obama was asked to move over a seat. [This was her reaction.](http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18c7tnegnnrskgif/original.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1162 "2013-01-22T12:39:44Z")
Unless they were bleeding and/or armed, I can’t imagine I’d have even responded to a stranger who started asking me questions during a movie. Talking during a movie is rude - asking someone trivial questions is worse, because you’re trying to get another person to be an asshole, too. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1163 "2013-01-22T13:27:53Z")
> [@Algorithm](#): > > Unless they were bleeding and/or armed, I can’t imagine I’d have even responded to a stranger who started asking me questions during a movie. Talking during a movie is rude - asking someone trivial questions is worse, because you’re trying to get another person to be an asshole, too. Completely ignoring someone who’s standing there asking you a question… because you _don’t_ want to be an asshole? Might want to rethink this strategy. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1164 "2013-01-22T13:36:43Z")
> [@l1I235](#): > > Did you come up with that all on your own? 🙂 No, I called up Chris Rock for a quip. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1165 "2013-01-22T13:40:04Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > No **Jackmannii** it does not matter what good reason they have for being late. Pulled someone off the subway tracks, rescued Superman from Lex Luthor latest ploy, and then foiled an Al Qaeda bomb plot, all on the way. The movie’s started? Sit your sorry ass down without bothering anyone else, hero. As a hero you know it’s the polite thing to do. Once again I am kicking myself for having missed out on a lucrative career as a con man, as even my most obvious bullshit is taken at face value. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1166 "2013-01-22T13:42:48Z")
> [@l1I235](#): > > I do mean if he was sitting there, instead of me. I am off saving orphans from burning buses. So you don’t care about the kids with parents. I _thought_ you were that way… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1167 "2013-01-22T13:44:40Z")
That cracked me up, though, when Dseid said it. But by that time, I was scared to laugh, because wasn’t nobody else laughing on that side of the aisle. ---
**Author:** ![eclectic\_wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac91a4/32.png) [@eclectic\_wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eclectic_wench)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1168 "2013-01-22T13:55:00Z")
I just had to add that I got a giggle out of being on the main page and seeing ‘I’m not giving up my seat, by Nzinga, Seated.’ The ‘Seated’ reads like ‘Ha-ha, suckers.’ ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1169 "2013-01-22T14:05:09Z")
> [@Brynda](#): > > Exactly. The question about why this issue raised so much ire with those who disagreed with the OP is a mystery to me, too, and I would love to see someone address it. I always figure it’s because they personally engage in the bad behaviour people are complaining about. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1170 "2013-01-22T14:11:57Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I always figure it’s because they personally engage in the bad behaviour people are complaining about. 🙂 That’s interesting. It makes think that your mind ticks in such a way that you only offer a courtesy if it is something you yourself may need, so you assume the same of others. I like to give dollars to beggars. Does that mean I probably beg for dollars? No. Because my mind doesn’t work that way. I can happily oblige someone on all kinds of things that I may never need or do. ---
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1171 "2013-01-22T14:15:50Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > Meh. Moving wouldn’t have killed you (terrible viruses notwithstanding). A little human compassion and decency was too much to ask from you? You deserved their loud complaints and insults. > > No, of course you don’t _have to_ give up your seat. You’re just doing your bit to make the world a slightly worse place. Given that the people were late, and disrupted the experience of all the people that arrived on time, they didn’t deserve any compassion. If they didn’t want to sit at the front, they should have occupied the individual seats that were available. Watching a movie is an individual experience, so why did they need to sit together anyway? People that arrive late shouldn’t be allowed in anyway. People that disrupt the audience and text/ phone/ talk should be evicted without a refund. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1172 "2013-01-22T14:28:04Z")
> [@](#): > > Watching a movie is an individual experience, so why did they need to sit together anyway? They needed to comment on the movie as they watched it, duh! Or maybe they wanted to talk about things completely unrelated to the movie. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1173 "2013-01-22T14:43:06Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > If they didn’t want to sit at the front, they should have occupied the individual seats that were available. Watching a movie is an individual experience, so why did they need to sit together anyway? I spent a lot of time cutting a hole in the bottom of that popcorn box. So unless you plan on giving me a handjob during the trailers, move your ass over. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1174 "2013-01-22T14:57:09Z")
> [@l1I235](#): > > Very mature and level headed. And you would consider yourself the one with better social graces, no doubt. > > And despite what you say here, we know you would not have done that IRL. Big and bad on the Internet. > > This thread makes me think of my brother. He is 6’7", broad shouldered, and in great shape. He has a deep, powerful voice. > > Would you have tried your passing back and forth popcorn bullshit on him? Or would you have done it to me, because you perceive my 5’8" female self as weaker? > > Let me guess, you would not have even asked him. And you sure as fuck wouldn’t have played revenge games with him. > > And before I get accused again of being a crazed feminist- I would have reacted as I did in the OP if I were male or female. My chromosomes had nothing to do with it. > > And before I My brother is Brad Pitt. Would you say no to him if he asked you two to move over one seat ? ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1175 "2013-01-22T15:39:49Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > They needed to comment on the movie as they watched it, duh! Or maybe they wanted to talk about things completely unrelated to the movie. Lynn Bodoni, sitting next to your companion is part of going to a movie. You are trying to enjoy the experience while being close to your loved one. There are many things couples can do while watching a movie such as putting one’s arm around the other, holding hands, leaning, etc. This particular couple didn’t happen to do any of these, however the OP shouldn’t have assumed this from the beginnig. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1176 "2013-01-22T15:47:24Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > That’s interesting. It makes think that your mind ticks in such a way that you only offer a courtesy if it is something you yourself may need, so you assume the same of others. > > I like to give dollars to beggars. Does that mean I probably beg for dollars? No. Because my mind doesn’t work that way. I can happily oblige someone on all kinds of things that I may never need or do. Very odd way for the mind to think, but we’re dealing with a different breed of animal here, my friend. > [@Doggo](#): > > Watching a movie is an individual experience, so why did they need to sit together anyway? O’RLY? So when you go to the movies with your girlfriend, you say to her, “All right, babe, you go sit over there and I’ll catch you when the movie’s over”? Just when I thought you kids couldn’t get any sillier… ---
**Author:** ![l1I235](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@l1I235](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/l1I235)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1177 "2013-01-22T15:56:13Z")
> [@Anonymous User](#): > > Lynn Bodoni, sitting next to your companion is part of going to a movie. You are trying to enjoy the experience while being close to your loved one. There are many things couples can do while watching a movie such as putting one’s arm around the other, holding hands, leaning, etc. This particular couple didn’t happen to do any of these, however the OP shouldn’t have assumed this from the beginnig. Nah, they just texted in unison. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![l1I235](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@l1I235](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/l1I235)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1178 "2013-01-22T15:59:10Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Very odd way for the mind to think, but we’re dealing with a different breed of animal here, my friend. > > O’RLY? So when you go to the movies with your girlfriend, you say to her, “All right, babe, you go sit over there and I’ll catch you when the movie’s over”? Just when I thought you kids couldn’t get any sillier… Again? I thought you were leaving? Oh wait, right. You’re the type that says they will do one thing, but in reality does another. Big and bad online. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1179 "2013-01-22T16:01:00Z")
Next time someone tells me I’m wrong for thinking that the Dope is overpopulated with people who have no social skills, I’m pointing them to this thread. “If someone asked me a question in a movie theater I would simply refuse to answer.” “It is my god-given right to sit in any seat I want to and I am not moving no matter what.” “I don’t understand why people need to sit together with their friends at the movies.” “I might want to take my shoes off so therefore I can’t move.” (!!!) Not to mention the whole thing of, “I think one of the parties in this scenario behaved rudely; therefore everything the other person did was 100% justified and okay, because I cannot conceive of a situation in which two or more people could possibly be at fault.” The SDMB, man. I do love this place, but seriously. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431/1180 "2013-01-22T16:02:29Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > The SDMB, man. I do love this place, but seriously. Well, when 95% of members have an IQ over 180… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431.md?page=58) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-giving-up-my-seat/647431.md?page=60)