# Is looking at your phone in the movie theater during the previews a faux pas? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 13, 2019, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358 "2019-11-13T05:01:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/101 "2019-11-14T15:45:35Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Out of curiosity, in what situation do you \*need \*to have your phone on? (in the context of the 2 hours it takes to watch a movie) 😕 When did I \*\*ever \*\*say I have my phone on during a movie? I always turn my phone off during a film. People who look at their phone even to check the time during a movie should be kicked out immediately. Read the post I actually quoted. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/102 "2019-11-14T15:47:58Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > So the poll has been up for 22+ hours, with over 100 votes. The current results are: > > Be in your seat, silent & phones off, before the previews begin - 18% > Ok to arrive during the previews, but no talking or phones - 51% > Ok to arrive during previews, quiet conversation & phone use OK until the movie starts - 31% > > So your particular position is held less than 1 in 5 people. Considering that I really don’t want to sit through 20-30 minutes of commercials because I have better use of that time, no, I won’t be changing my behavior on that. As I said earlier in the thread, I’m not shouting or listening to music or anything like that during the previews - at most I’m whispering to whoever I’m there with and checking [mediastinger.com](http://mediastinger.com) before putting my phone away. So no, I’m not going to change. But 50%+ say no talking or phones and you don’t seem to care for that. I think a good compromise view perhaps is to consider trailers like SuperBowl commercials. I have been to numerous SuperBowl parties and one thing I know for sure is you don’t want to be yapping during those commercials. So yes, they are ads, but they are quite a bit more than ads as well (just like trailers, people share SuperBowl commercials online and have discussions based on them - unlike your normal commercials) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/103 "2019-11-14T16:20:30Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > 😕 When did I \*\*ever \*\*say I have my phone on during a movie? I always turn my phone off during a film. People who look at their phone even to check the time during a movie should be kicked out immediately. > > Read the post I actually quoted. You said “There are many situations where I am gathered with several people and I need to have my phone on.” **WOOKINPANUB** was curious (as was I) what situations you had in mind. Particularly since you _can_ turn off your phone for a couple of hours while watching a movie: what are the situations where you absolutely cannot turn off your phone for a couple of hours? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/104 "2019-11-14T16:22:53Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > You said “There are many situations where I am gathered with several people and I need to have my phone on.” > > **WOOKINPANUB** was curious (as was I) what situations you had in mind. > > Particularly since you _can_ turn off your phone for a couple of hours while watching a movie: what are the situations where you absolutely cannot turn off your phone for a couple of hours? Yeah, what \*\*ThudBo \*\*said :o ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/105 "2019-11-14T16:25:27Z")
Well, if you have kids, it happens a lot. Specifically if you’re going to a party/dinner/etc, and have left them home with either a sitter or the oldest in charge. Sure, pre-cell phone days you’d do stuff like leave the number of the restaurant/house you’ll be at, but now that cell phones do exist, that’s obviously more convenient & reliable. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/106 "2019-11-14T17:04:22Z")
> [@Disgruntled\_Penguin](#): > > This from the person who won’t move seats so a group can’t sit together. That’s really selfish and rude. I said after the lights go down. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/107 "2019-11-14T17:09:30Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Yes, your phone is very visible anywhere in the theater > Yes, people actually like to watch trailers, whether you think that is good or not > Yes we can hear you talk > > The question is,\*\* are they going to realize they are in the wrong, change, and become better persons, or continue to be rude jerks with the “fuck you I do what i want” attitude? place your bets…\*\* > [@muldoonthief](#): > > …and checking [mediastinger.com](http://mediastinger.com) before putting my phone away. **So no, I’m not going to change** … > > Frankly, I find your position of “Everyone has to be in their seats before the previews even start!” ridiculous, **so I see no need to change my behavior** out of “consideration” for your unreasonable expectations… (bolding mine) I guess that answers that! ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/108 "2019-11-14T17:24:55Z")
Or perhaps, since your particular position is in the minority (16% and falling last I checked), you’ll acknowledge that your demands that everyone else be in their seats, silent and attentive, 20 to 30 minutes before the actual feature film begins is an unreasonable expectation on the rest of humanity. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/109 "2019-11-14T17:31:05Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > You said “There are many situations where I am gathered with several people and I need to have my phone on.” > > **WOOKINPANUB** was curious (as was I) what situations you had in mind. > > Particularly since you _can_ turn off your phone for a couple of hours while watching a movie: what are the situations where you absolutely cannot turn off your phone for a couple of hours? Again, I was responding to a post that said that \*\*anytime \*\*two or more people get together, phones should be turned off. **Any time**. Nothing whatsoever to do with a movie. You don’t see that as unreasonable? You can’t think of at least one situation where you’re with someone and someone else may need to contact you? You turn your phone off every single time you have a conversation? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/110 "2019-11-14T17:37:16Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Again, I was responding to a post that said that \*\*anytime \*\*two or more people get together, phones should be turned off. **Any time**. Nothing whatsoever to do with a movie. You don’t see that as unreasonable? You can’t think of at least one situation where you’re with someone and someone else may need to contact you? > > You turn your phone off every single time you have a conversation? I realized after looking back that you were not referring to having your phone on in the movies; apologies for that. That changes the context in which I understood your comment. I personally don’t look at my phone when I’m with other people (in a social setting) but I supposed I could see there being rare situations where it might be necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/111 "2019-11-14T17:41:15Z")
Here is one situation from last week. I was working a large event for 1200 people and in a meeting beforehand in a team of 20 to coordinate. We all had to have phones on in case any of the bigwigs in charge needed anything/the schedule changed/get running updates from people in other locations. But according to **Annie** , we should have turned our phones off because more than two people were meeting. :rolleyes: Or: two friends get together for dinner and are waiting on a third. Oops, we turned our phones off so we didn’t get the message that they were running late and wouldn’t make it and to start without them. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/112 "2019-11-14T17:48:02Z")
Yes. Stop it. You are annoying others. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/113 "2019-11-14T17:52:53Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Here is one situation from last week. I was working a large event for 1200 people and in a meeting beforehand in a team of 20 to coordinate. We all had to have phones on in case any of the bigwigs in charge needed anything/the schedule changed/get running updates from people in other locations. > > But according to **Annie** , we should have turned our phones off because more than two people were meeting. :rolleyes: > Or: two friends get together for dinner and are waiting on a third. Oops, we turned our phones off so we didn’t get the message that they were running late and wouldn’t make it and to start without them. Makes sense;definitely in a work situation. I think \*\*Annie \*\*may have only been referring to social situations(?)In the instance you gave, I think I would have my phone on vibrate and if something was up - third friend had not arrived yet- I’d be inclined to check it and see if it’s them. To me it’s not all black and white but I lean to far less phone usage than most. But I digress; this is about movie phone etiquette and yours is impeccable 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/114 "2019-11-14T18:47:11Z")
> [@divemaster](#): > > It’s never actually occurred to me to even take a phone into a movie theater. I don’t have a babysitter at home, and, well, I can’t think of any reason to need a phone at a movie. Here’s the deal: a ‘phone’ is [an all-purpose gadget](https://xkcd.com/2212/) that, incidentally, one can also make phone calls on, useful as address book, appointment book, calendar, camera, calculator, clock, gizmo to play games on, photo album, texting device, emailing device, web browser, a whole bunch of other random stuff, and occasionally you actually use it to talk with people who aren’t in the same room with you. Most people nowadays, including Medicare-eligible types like me, just carry their ‘phones’ with them everywhere. They may be in our pockets most of the time, but we’ve got them with us. It’s not a matter of ‘why would we need to take a phone here’ as ‘why would we need to leave it at home or in the car in this particular situation.’ ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/115 "2019-11-14T18:53:30Z")
> [@divemaster](#): > > It’s never actually occurred to me to even take a phone into a movie theater. I don’t have a babysitter at home, and, well, I can’t think of any reason to need a phone at a movie. > [@RTFirefly](#): > > Here’s the deal: a ‘phone’ is [an all-purpose gadget](https://xkcd.com/2212/) that, incidentally, one can also make phone calls on, useful as address book, appointment book, calendar, camera, calculator, clock, gizmo to play games on, photo album, texting device, emailing device, web browser, a whole bunch of other random stuff, and occasionally you actually use it to talk with people who aren’t in the same room with you. Well, I don’t want to do any of that at a movie either. Not even in the 20 minutes while I’m waiting for the movie to start. But you do you. > [@divemaster](#): > > I don’t care if you have a phone, but please put it away by the time the Previews start. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/116 "2019-11-14T19:11:25Z")
> [@divemaster](#): > > Well, I don’t want to do any of that at a movie either. Not even in the 20 minutes while I’m waiting for the movie to start. But you do you. I probably don’t. It’s just that it would take a special effort to remember to _not_ have it with me in time to have left it somewhere else where it would be safe. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/117 "2019-11-14T19:21:58Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Or perhaps, since your particular position is in the minority (16% and falling last I checked), you’ll acknowledge that your demands that everyone else be in their seats, silent and attentive, 20 to 30 minutes before the actual feature film begins is an unreasonable expectation on the rest of humanity. People have told you that what you do bothers them. You double down and still do it, and are making excuses. You’re going to keep doing it despite knowing it bothers people. And poll option 2 also says “phones off”. So the totality of “phones off and be quiet (as possible)” is 67%. A solid majority. Why is it so hard to respect other people? Why is not acting like a jerk “an unreasonable expectation”? ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/118 "2019-11-14T21:41:47Z")
People who say you should be completely seated even during the previews. What happens when we eventually start airing the national anthem before every movie screening, should people who get out of their seats to kneel be immediately kicked out? ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/119 "2019-11-15T00:10:22Z")
For me, OK to use a phone during the ads, it should be entirely away during trailers. No, it doesn’t matter if you’ve seen that particular trailer a hundred times, the other people in the theater haven’t. Besides, it’s a slippery slope, and if you think it’s OK during the trailers, it will be OK to “just check it” during the film, and then we’re in Hell. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358/120 "2019-11-15T01:10:50Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > What happens when we eventually start airing the national anthem before every movie screening, … If that day ever comes, I’ll move to Canada or some other rational country. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-looking-at-your-phone-in-the-movie-theater-during-the-previews-a-faux-pas/843358.md?page=7)