There seem to be certain recreational activities which it is considered socially taboo to engage in alone: drinking is the most obvious example I can think of right now. Not a very illustrious one, but you get the idea. To take it further, I wouldn’t consider it normal to go to an amusement park alone.
Until last year or so, I would have thought the same thing about going to the movies alone. Very strange practice, geeky, “loser-ish,” you’d have to be pretty weird to do it. Then I saw a TV ad for The Bachelor, and someone was asking one of the girls if she’d ever gone to the movies alone. I don’t remember her answer, but the mere fact that someone thought it relevant to ask this somewhat glamorous woman that question made me think I was wrong about solitaire moviegoing. I asked my girlfriend whether she thought it was common, and she said her brother does it on a regular basis. Now I’m warming up to the idea–many a Friday or Saturday night on which I have no plans at all, I’ve found myself thinking, why not go to the local cinema and see what’s playing? It’s not like you need a friend with you to sit in the dark and stare at a screen for 2 hours. I’m thinking about going this weekend. I’m just curious about how many others have done it.
So, feel free to answer none, some, or all of the following questions:
Have you ever gone to the movies alone?
If so, how often do you do so?
What is your personal opinion on the social acceptability of going to the movies alone (e.g., great idea, acceptable idea, somewhat lame, totally pathetic)?
What is your perception of society in general’s opinion of going to the movies alone (in other words, how do you think most people feel about it?)
My answers, FWIW:
No
N/A
Not the most thrilling activity in the world, but there’s nothing wrong with it if you’re bored and all your friends or family are busy.
I believe society in general’s attitude toward the practice is that it’s somewhere between my answer to 3 and “somewhat lame”.
I go to the movies alone often (usually once or twice a month). If I didn’t, the only way I’d see a movie would be to rent the video (since I am perpetually single).
It seems odd to me that someone would feel weird about going alone; you’re there to watch a movie, not carry on a conversation. [sub]Unless you are the obnoxious people that were behind me at Catch Me If You Can - they were definitely there to have a conversation.[/sub]
The thing I won’t do alone is go to dinner in a nicer restaurant. I’ll get takeout if I don’t have a dinner companion.
I don’t much care what society thinks of me going to a movie alone. YMMV
I used to think it was odd. Then, I went traveling across the USA alone and decided to catch a couple of movies along the way. The experience was odd at first, but now I wouldn’t think twice about it.
YES
Not often, but it happens (once every few years)
Acceptable Idea
Somewhat Lame
ME: “I just got back from a movie.”
FRIEND: “Who did you go with?”
ME: “Just me.”
FRIEND: “You went alone!?” ::GASP::
What is your personal opinion on the social acceptability of going to the movies alone (e.g., great idea, acceptable idea, somewhat lame, totally pathetic)?
I do many, many “socially unacceptable” things alone ie: drinking, dinner, movies, and I actually have a better time (except eating alone, unless I have a good book). Who wants to sit at home simply because you don’t have a gaggle of escorts?
Oh, and I actually have been to an amusement park alone (Universal Studios in FLA), as well, I often travel cross-country alone. And, I am a female. I honstly do not think there’s anything someone could come up with that I haven’t (or wouldn’t do solo).
What is your perception of society in general’s opinion of going to the movies alone (in other words, how do you think most people feel about it?)
I honestly don’t know, as I stopped caring about those things many years ago. But that’s me, and I’ve never been afeared of the clucking tongues at my unconventuality.
I have no problems with going to a movie alone. It is fun going with friends but when I really want to go see something, what generally happens is that no one I know wants to go with me. Either they are too busy to be able to go, or they don’t want to see that movie at all. Unless there is a bunch of us who really really want to see a movie (like LotR, I saw it 3 times with various groups of friends) we usually end up compromising and going to neither movie we really want to see.
So to answer your questions:
Yep
When I have the money to do so and when there is something I want to see. So about once a month/once every couple of months.
My personal opinion is that it’s cool. You want to go see it go see it, don’t wait until it’s on video unless you want to.
In general I think it’s a mix. About half will say yeah it’s cool the other half will be like WTH??
The last two movies I saw I went to by myself, simply because the people I may have gone to see it with were doing other things the days I could go and vice versa. Also, if I really really really want to see a movie I will usually go on opening day as soon as I get out of class, if I am not working at the time. I did that with both TTT and Harry Potter 2. In the coming month I will have the joy of gift certificates to spend at the cheap theatre, so I can see lots of movies there.
I went to the movies alone last night (Nemesis) for the first time in many years. It was great. There were about 9 people in the theater, we were all spread out, and nobody said a word during the whole movie. As Slainte said, you are there to watch a movie. None of my friends were interested in this one, and I was. I’m going to start doing this regularly.
I went to the movies on New Year’s Eve (I always do, and follow it with Chinese food at the buffet where they give out free calendars). Since I don’t share the same movie tastes as anybody else I know in this state, any time I decide not to wait for video release I’m by myself. I never even thought about it. I don’t go to the movies very often, though. I didn’t realize it was such a big deal to others.
I always find it odd people think doing stuff by yourself is odd. Sometimes I go out drinking by myself, or to movies or whatever. It doesn’t matter to me. I sometimes meet nice people when I’m out and sometimes I just relax by myself.
Intellectually, I can see nothing wrong with it. However, at a gut level, I admit that I find it a little sad.
And I think most people agree with me on number 3.
I have a friend who goes to a lot of movies, and does it alone. I have the convenient built-in movie partner (i.e. my husband) so I never have to think about it. I guess if I wanted to see a movie, and couldn’t find anyone to go with, I guess I’d go alone, but I’d feel weird.
what Slainte said. I think going to the movies alone is okay for me, esp if it is a movie that nobody else I know would care for.
I am totally comforable with it. Sometimes I just like to do things the way I want to, when I want to,without waiting around for someone else to be “into” it
oh, maybe the majority of society raises its eyebrows just a teeny bit at the practice of attending movies alone, but I do not think it is as frowned upon now as 10-15 years ago
I think it’s fine…if there’s something you really want to see, who cares?
Not that well recieved, but warming up to it…a guy going into a theater alone would only get a really weird look if, say, they brought their own seat cushin with them, like Niles from Frasier.
Whenever it makes sense. Sometimes if I’m out of town on business, it is something to do. If I want to see a specific film and the wife doesn’t, then I’ll go alone. It just depends on the situation.
The reasons why a person might attend a movie alone are none of my business, but there are plenty of reasonable explanations for doing so. Because of that fact, I see no reason to be concerned about it.
Never really thought about it. I think this is because I don’t care what the answer is.
About 90% of the time, because my friends’ schedules don’t coincide with mine very often, my dad is a homebody, and my mom would rather wait for the video.
3.Perfectly acceptable.
I didn’t realize anyone was thinking about it. It matters not a whit to me what people think of a loner in a theater.
I often try to get to weekday matinees so I won’t have to deal with a theatre full of cretins. One time I got my mom to a movie and there was no one there except a few elderly couples. It was a perfect audience.
1. Have you ever gone to the movies alone?
Frequently, I prefer it.
2. If so, how often do you do so?
About 75% of the time I’ll be alone.
3. What is your personal opinion on the social acceptability of going to the movies alone (e.g., great idea, acceptable idea, somewhat lame, totally pathetic)?
I have no opinion - there are many reasons why people would be alone, countless even, so why not?
4. What is your perception of society in general’s opinion of going to the movies alone (in other words, how do you think most people feel about it?)
Haven’t the foggiest. It had never occurred to me before seeing this thread that anyone would think anything at all about it.
Occasionally, maybe one third of all the movies I see. As Slainte said, I’m there to see a movie, not engage in friendly activities like conversation.
There’s no reason it shouldn’t be acceptable.
My girlfriend thought it was weird, but they weren’t the movies she was interested in, and she didn’t have time to see as many movies as I did, so it didn’t really matter.
All the time in college, not so much any more, because nowadays somebody has to twist my arm before I feel like going to the movies at all. I do go to plays alone, probably a half-dozen or so in the past year.
Perfectly sensible thing to do.
Never really thought about it. Who cares what other people think?
And like some other folks have said – I do NOT understand the stigma people (especially women, in my experience) attach to doing things alone. Why wait around for a partner when you could be out living your life?
I hate it but if other people like it, knock yourselves out.
I doubt most people care.
I’ve made more friends because of my aversion. Asking people out to a movie “because I hate going alone” means nobody gets the wrong idea and I usually make friends with whoever I’ve asked. The best friend I’ve got in Canada I made friends with when I dragged him to The Blair Witch Project.
I don’t always use that as a reason, but when I don’t want someone to think I’m coming on to them it works wonders.
