# Poll: Going to the movies alone **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 4, 2003, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526 "2003-01-04T00:34:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/61 "2003-01-05T18:19:24Z")
1. Have you ever gone to the movies alone? Yes 2. If so, how often do you do so? When I was single, about once a month or so. Mr. Del is a huge film fanatic, so there are very few things he doesn’t want to see with me. (The last movie I saw alone in a theater was _Attack of the Clones_, for which I took a personal day from work so I could see an early showing.) But if things didn’t work out logistically, I wouldn’t hesitate to go by myself. 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)? Since I do it myself, I obviously think it’s perfectly acceptable. It’s not my secret shame or anything. 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?) I think a lot of people aren’t comfortable with the idea in theory, but I’m also skeptical about how much people notice this _in practice_. When I go to the movies, I’m not paying that much attention to who is sitting alone, or in a couple, or in groups. If a person is sitting alone, how do we know if that person is really alone, or if their friend is in the restroom, or getting snacks, or parking the car, or whatever? And more importantly, who cares? Once the movie starts, the only time I notice anyone else in the theater is IF THEY ARE TALKING. ---
**Author:** ![pendgwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@pendgwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pendgwen)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/62 "2003-01-05T18:59:09Z")
1. Yes. 2)I’d estimate about 1/4 of the time. 3)I don’t think there’s anything wrong or weird about it. In fact until I read this thread I had no idea that anyone would consider it abnormal. I had a similar experience with perceptions of dining alone. For some unknowable reason I was reading an article about how to be happy while you’re single. It mentioned something about not being ashamed to go out to a restaurant by yourself. Up until that point I had no idea that anyone would be shamed or embarassed but such an activity. If I want to go see a movie or go to a restaurant I go. Sometimes I want company, sometimes I don’t. I feel sorry for anyone who must have company in order to have a good time. Sounds awfully limiting. 4)It never before occurred to me that there might be a societal stardard about this. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/63 "2003-01-06T01:45:43Z")
**1. Have you ever gone to the movies alone?** Yes. **2. If so, how often do you do so?** Almost every time (say about once in a week on average). I go to a cinema _to see the movie_. On the infrequent occasions when I don’t go alone it is a movie which I have already seen at least once, have liked it very much and want to share the experience. No sense in dragging people into the cinema and then getting bored in company. **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)?** Preferable in most cases, especially if you are not really sure the movie is going to be good. If you want to have a conversation while viewing the movie it would be antisocial to inflict it on other cinemagoers. Better couch + TV + DVD in this case. One group of fellow cinemagoers that I would dearly like to also go alone is adolescents. They’d likely keep their inane comments to themselves. Viewing a movie _is_ a communal experience - but you share it with the whole audience. The practicalities of going alone are also better. When there are just 3 seats left in a 400-seat theater they are most likely three single ones. Also going out in a group of more than say 4 people is very hard on my nerves (I am an impatient guy) because everything takes longer. For a group of e.g. 6 people it seems to be an epic undertaking _to go through a door_. **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?)** I have never have heard anyone express an opinion either way. I don’t think that people care about (or take notice of) the cinemagiong habits of strangers. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/64 "2003-01-06T20:56:31Z")
Short answer: What **Slainte** said. 1. Have you ever gone to the movies alone? Yes. 1. If so, how often do you do so? 30-40 movies/year, about 80% seen alone 1. 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)? It’s fine. 1. 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 think this taboo concerns popcorn movies/light entertainment more than “film-type films”. Not everybody wants to go see the latest Greenaway film or an Iranian visual allegory in black and white. I like “sad clown of life” movies, so sue me, the others will be on TV soon enough. My personal tastes in almost every sphere don’t generally run towards the popular, but I don’t think it makes me pathetic. What would be pathetic would be to make a friend sit through them when they’d rather see Attack of The Clones. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/65 "2003-01-06T21:41:24Z")
1. Have you ever gone to the movies alone? Yes. 1. If so, how often do you do so? Every couple of months or so. Whenever there’s something I want to see, but no one to go see it with. Because I don’t have any friends that live close by, this is pretty much all the time. 1. 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)? Nothing wrong with it. 1. 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 frankly don’t give a rat’s ass. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/66 "2003-01-06T23:22:20Z")
1. Yes 2. I’m not really a movie person, with most trailers I either think the movie looks dumb, or I think “hmmm… interesting” and then fail to remember to go see it because it wasn’t _that_ interesting. But the two or three movies I actually want to see, I’ll see (and usually, alone). The best thing, I can sit wherever Iwant to, and usually find a seat in the area I want because there are nearly always smatterings of single seats about the theater. 1. great idea. 2. Some people seem horrified and that anyone who does so is a loser. Some people don’t care. The weird thing are the people who seem to think it’s an act of heroism or something - I have gotten more “That’s so brave,” “I could never do that,” “weren’t you scared?” “you should be proud of yourself” type comments and the corresponding expressions for going to a movie/restaurant/theater alone than would be expected given the general safety level of your average movie theater. You’d think I’d performed open heart surgery or rescued a stranded hiker or something. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/67 "2003-01-06T23:49:21Z")
I’m a serious movie buff. In a typical year, I see a _minimum_ of a hundred films in the cinema, usually a lot more. I see many more at home on premium cable or DVD. Of these, I go alone maybe two-thirds of the time. My wife doesn’t always want to go (_The Ring_ = too scary, _Gangs of New York_ = too violent, _Jackass_ = too stupid, etc.), and while I’ll usually call a couple of friends to see if they want to go, last-minute scheduling is pretty tough. I do not attach any social stigma whatsoever to it. If you take film as seriously as I do, going alone with some frequency is an absolute necessity. ---
**Author:** ![burundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3ec8ea/32.png) [@burundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burundi)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/68 "2003-01-07T02:20:04Z")
**1. Have you ever gone to the movies alone?** Yup, plenty of times. **2. If so, how often do you do so?** Not so much now, but when I was in grad school, I would often go by myself. **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)?** Great idea! It’s a good way to get out of the house and have a couple of hours to yourself. **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?)** I really don’t know what other people think about it. When I went to the movies more often, I would sometimes go to matinees, and there were usually several people there by themselves. It didn’t seem like a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![DLurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecd19e/32.png) [@DLurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DLurker)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/69 "2003-01-07T02:33:36Z")
1. Yep 2. Once every couple of months 3. Great idea. Best way to people watch without interuption. 4. I think most people don’t notice anything not right in front of thier nose… ---
**Author:** ![CasperQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@CasperQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CasperQ)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/70 "2003-01-07T04:16:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lyra \* > \*\*I am an **extremely** independent person, so yes if I choose to see something and the mood strikes me I go alone. I will eat in restaurants alone also. However the other side of me loves company and most of my friends find it surprising when they ask what I did today and hear my answer. \ doing what I want is my selfish indulgence. I don’t get much time off and when I do, there are times when I simply don’t want to be bothered with anyone else. I don’t want to negotiate which restaurant or which film, I just want to do it. I am not considered a loner or unsociable. Most everyone I know finds me to be very outgoing and extremely sociable. > \*\* [SIZE=3]_ **Exactly** _ what **Lyra** said; nice to meetcha! ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/71 "2003-01-07T04:42:34Z")
1. Have you ever gone to the movies alone? 2. If so, how often do you do so? 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)? 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?) I used to go to the movies alone fairly often and it never bothered me just as having a meal in a nice restaurant (alone) never bothered me. If I wanted to see a movie, I saw it. If I wanted a gourmet meal (and didn’t feel like cooking), I had one. I don’t see any problem with people going to the movies on their own; not everyone is involved with someone else, likes to date, or always has (or needs) friends at the ready to take in a movie with them. Not seeing a movie you want to watch because there’s no-one to go with you seems rather odd / pathetic to me. I think that because going to the movies is generally a social event, people who go to the movies alone might be viewed as different. ---
**Author:** ![twelfthsign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@twelfthsign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twelfthsign)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/72 "2003-01-07T05:21:13Z")
Ace Venture - Pet Detective, alone. Walked out an hour an half later in splits, to myself. _what? I’m not weird, it was funny._ Thats the only one i recall. I had tickets and got ditched. So what the heck, I watched it eitherways. ---
**Author:** ![\_etalhea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/779978/32.png) [@\_etalhea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_etalhea)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/73 "2003-01-07T07:04:05Z")
Addressing one of the offhand comments in the OP, I once went to an amusement park all by myself. Even drove about 4 hours to get there (Paramount King’s Dominion near Richmond, VA) It was AWESOME!!! I rode whatever the hell I wanted, as many times as I wanted. Wanna ride the same roller coaster 6 times back-to-back? GO AHEAD! Plus, they’re always looking for singles to fill spots on rides, so you get thru the lines somewhat faster. I had just broken off a long term relationship, it was great therapy. ---
**Author:** ![tavalla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tavalla/32/89_2.png) [@tavalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavalla)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/74 "2003-01-07T08:06:13Z")
**1. Have you ever gone to the movies alone?** Yes, frequently. **2. If so, how often do you do so?** Whenever there’s something on I want to see. **3. What is your personal opinion on the social acceptability of going to the movies alone?** It’s fine - no skin off my nose. **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?)** I don’t know and, to be honest, I really don’t care, either. Although I will note that us lone moviegoers don’t feel compelled to whisper and giggle and generally piss off other movie goers. ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2003, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/75 "2003-01-15T16:45:03Z")
1. Have you ever gone to the movies alone? Yes, whenever I can get away for a few hours by myself. I have a two year old and work 4 days a week, so time to myself is precious. I like to spend it doing things that I can’t do when I have the baby with me. But truly, I used to do this even before she was born. I used to travel a bit for work, so it was a great way to pass an evening alone. For Mothers’ day this year I went by myself to see **SpiderMan** in the local Premium cinema. They have a bar, free popcorn with real butter, and nice leather seats with individual tables. I drank a Manhattan and watched the movie. (Oooh, drinking alone, too!) 1. If so, how often do you do so? Probably 5 or 6 times a year. 1. 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 think it’s a great idea. You get to see what YOU want to see, not what your SO or friends want to see. You don’t have to talk to anyone else, and you don’t have to share the Raisinettes. 1. 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 never really thought about it. The few times people I work with have asked who I saw a movie with, and I say “By myself”, they have all seemed to think that it was pretty cool. Like, “Wow, that takes some confidence to go alone.” Maybe that was a backhanded compliment, but it didn’t seem so at the time. And seriously, sitting by yourself in the dark watching a movie takes 0 confidence. It’s dark, for chrissake! For the record, other things I’ve done alone: 1. Gone to Epcot Center in Disney. 2. Eat in posh restaurants _without a book_!!! (Again, the travel for work thing. I’m not wasting my expense account on BK!) 3. Hi Opal! 4. Drink alone - I went out for lunch by myself this Saturday and had a beer. Yea me! 5. Traveled in Italy and Germany. I met up with my brother there, but was on my own for several days in both countries. It was fantastic. 6. See bands alone. When I was single, I would regularly go into Boston to see bands at local rock clubs. My friends don’t have the same taste in music as I do. I was lucky enough to meet my current husband, who also used to go to see bands alone. Now we go together. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/76 "2003-01-15T17:21:53Z")
I did one movie alone (I’m 46). It was Kramer vs. Kramer, and me and the ex just broke up, and it was really pathetic and sad. I should have picked a different movie. I don’t see any reason not to, but I’ve never been very good at being alone, so I probably won’t do it much over a lifetime. I’m going to have to try it again. Maybe it won’t be so sad this time. The only place I’ll eat alone is the work cafeteria at 7:00 am. I find solo meals to be even sadder than solo movies. Why is that? ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2003, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/77 "2003-01-15T18:56:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kalhoun \* > \*\* > The only place I’ll eat alone is the work cafeteria at 7:00 am. I find solo meals to be even sadder than solo movies. Why is that? \*\* Maybe it’s the circumstances in which you’re alone. Being alone by choice is different than wishing you were with someone else when there is no one else. If you look at doing thing solo as an opportunity to be alone with your thoughts and do things that you want to do without interruption or distraction, it puts an entirely new spin on the situation. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526/78 "2003-01-15T19:09:02Z")
_1. Have you ever gone to the movies alone?_ Most of my life, ever since I was in college. _2. If so, how often do you do so?_ About 95% of the time; I go to the movies once or twice a month. When I lived in the U.S., I used to go much more often because many more good movies were available. I enjoy going with friends, but usually can’t be bothered to coordinate, or I decide to go on the spur of the moment, or I know that none of my friends are interested in the same movie. _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)?_ It’s never occurred to me to even think about it. I go to the movies to see the movie, not to sit next to my friends in the dark. _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?)_ I don’t know, and couldn’t care less. It’s hard for me to relate to _not_ going to see a movie that you want to see just because you don’t have a companion, or because you think going alone is lame. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-going-to-the-movies-alone/146526.md?page=3)