# Would you patronize a movie theater that has a mobile device ban? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 15, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835 "2014-01-15T00:26:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/21 "2014-01-15T03:11:59Z")
As an example, [Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas](http://drafthouse.com) has this policy, “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards talking and texting during the movie. If you talk or text, you will receive one warning. If it happens again, you will be kicked out without a refund.” ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/22 "2014-01-15T03:15:15Z")
I would go to this place even if I didn’t like the movie - [- YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd2bwWL0V1A) ---
**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:** [January 15, 2014, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/23 "2014-01-15T03:16:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Am I only the one who thinks there really isn’t a problem as-is? I don’t think I’ve ever heard a phone go off in a theater more than once or twice in the entire cell phone era, and in both cases the owner immediately silenced it rather than answering. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. > > EDIT: **WOOKINPANUB** , if you knew it were impending, it wouldn’t be an emergency. Can’t speak to you being the\* only\* one, but if you’ve never experienced this phenomena, I am green with envy. Not sure what you mean by your second comment. I’m assuming if one was awaiting word that one’s life saving organ was available, one would have more on one’s mind than watching _American Hustle_. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/24 "2014-01-15T03:26:28Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Am I the only one who thinks there really isn’t a problem as-is? I doubt I’d think there was a problem if I did go to movies. I can’t see being bothered by the glowing screen. If someone was talking much or loudly that would be annoying but I wouldn’t think many people would be that nervy (then again I might be giving people too much credit). > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > As an example, [Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas](http://drafthouse.com) has this policy, “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards talking and texting during the movie. If you talk or text, you will receive one warning. If it happens again, you will be kicked out without a refund.” So it’s really a one-tolerance policy. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/25 "2014-01-15T03:27:37Z")
Fuck YEAH! > [@Ethilrist](#): > > I’d even go to a place that had a blocker running, so nobody’s phone could get a signal. Wouldn’t keep people from playing Plants vs. Zombies, but it’s a start. I’ve heard the argument made that this would be wrong because a doctor might need to be paged about a medical emergency. But I say that’s bullshit. If it’s made known to everyone that their devices aren’t going to work once inside, then it’s the doctor’s own fault for not going to another theater instead. ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/26 "2014-01-15T03:32:06Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > **artemis** , not trying to pick on you; you’re actually the responder I was hoping for so I can ask, respectfully, if you’re possibly expecting a page so important within the next two hours, why would you go to a movie? Oh, that’s easy. I’m NOT expecting to be called (if I was, I wouldn’t go). I just have to be available in the unlikely but possible event that I am needed. Since most of the time when I’m on call I won’t be needed (and when I am, it’s often an issue that can be dealt with quickly over the phone), why not go to the movies? ---
**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:** [January 15, 2014, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/27 "2014-01-15T03:36:56Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > I doubt I’d think there was a problem if I did go to movies. I can’t see being bothered by the glowing screen. If someone was talking much or loudly that would be annoying but I wouldn’t think many people would be that nervy (then again I might be giving people too much credit). > So it’s really a one-tolerance policy. Since you say you don’t go to movies. I must say ‘thanks’ but not really what I was going for. Where the hell is **Equipoise**? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/28 "2014-01-15T03:37:49Z")
OK, simple example of an unexpected emergency (which is redundant): A couple with a young child goes out for a date, and hires a babysitter for the evening. They give the babysitter their cell phone number, and tells them to only call if there’s an emergency. They trust the babysitter’s judgement on what counts as an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/29 "2014-01-15T03:44:07Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > **artemis** , not trying to pick on you; you’re actually the responder I was hoping for so I can ask, respectfully, if you’re possibly expecting a page so important within the next two hours, why would you go to a movie? People who are on-call aren’t “expecting a page”. Is a fire alarm “expecting a fire”? ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/30 "2014-01-15T03:52:59Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Since you say you don’t go to movies. I must say ‘thanks’ but not really what I was going for. Sure it is. If I was going to go to a movie (which I have before and will again…I don’t mind going, I just don’t go out of my way to) I would go to whatever was convenient without regard to their policy on mobile devices. That’s probably what most people would do. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/31 "2014-01-15T03:55:20Z")
I have no problem with a theater prohibiting cell phone use during a film, and I always turn mine off before the film starts. But “from the time you enter the auditorium until you leave”? No- during the ads and previews, I couldn’t care less. I’m most likely talking to my friends, and the glow of a cell phone would go unnoticed. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/32 "2014-01-15T04:00:56Z")
It _should_ be from the moment you enter until the moment you leave. You think someone is going to stop mid-conversation just because the feature started? And maybe I want to enjoy the previews in peace. Using the phone once you’re inside the hall is a sign of poor manners. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/33 "2014-01-15T04:06:11Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Forgive me, but if there’s an emergency pending in your life, what the fuck are you doing at a movie? I have small children. Emergencies are \* always \* pending in my life. That said, I would happily go to a theater that had a strict and enforced no cell phone policy. All those bright little screens in an otherwise dark room make me want to punch people. I haven’t been to a movie theater in a while… ---
**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:** [January 15, 2014, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/34 "2014-01-15T04:09:34Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > People who are on-call aren’t “expecting a page”. Is a fire alarm “expecting a fire”? I don’t even understand what this means(?) Are you a fire fighter? Never mind: now we’re veering into ‘never happen territory’. Keeping it in a plausible,real-world territory, the average movie patron is not a surgeon, or a fire fighter, or goddamned Bruce Willis. If you are a member of our fire fighting team then I solute you. Aside from that, no one is that important, and if they think that they are, they really need to stay the fuck home. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/35 "2014-01-15T04:12:05Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > It _should_ be from the moment you enter until the moment you leave. You think someone is going to stop mid-conversation just because the feature started? And maybe I want to enjoy the previews in peace. Using the phone once you’re inside the hall is a sign of poor manners. Lots of people talk to each other in a theater before the film starts; it’s really quite common. Does that interfere with you enjoying the previews? Should that be banned? Does the glow of a cell phone from someone texting really bother you that much? ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/36 "2014-01-15T04:26:36Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I don’t even understand what this means(?) Are you a fire fighter? It means what **Snowboarder Bo** wrote. Having a fire alarm in your house doesn’t mean you’re expecting a fire to happen, it just means that IF a fire happens, you’ll be warned. Likewise, wearing a pager or a cellphone because you’re on call doesn’t mean you expect you’ll be paged or phoned, it just means that you’re reachable IF you are needed. (And in many cases, that’s a big “if”!) ---
**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:** [January 15, 2014, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/37 "2014-01-15T06:19:02Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > I doubt I’d think there was a problem if I did go to movies. I can’t see being bothered by the glowing screen. Then you’d be surprised. You’re in a dark room. A bright light shining up at you is _extremely_ noticeable and bothersome. The texters honestly piss me off more than the talkers. Everyone sitting above a texter can see the light from their goddam phone, not just those they are next to. I would absolutely go to a theater than banned the use of cell phones. I am thrilled that an Alamo Drafthouse is actually opening a few blocks from my apartment later this year! ---
**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 15, 2014, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/38 "2014-01-15T06:21:40Z")
> [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](#): > > Yes, Hell yes. > > I’d love to see a movie without listening to someone on a phone, or seeing the glow from a screen, or hear the buzz of an incoming text message. > > I can’t imagine anything in my life that wouldn’t survive waiting 90 minutes for a movie to finish. Before the 90s, we all survived that somehow. Yup. I would support a theatre running a blocker, too. As others have said, if you have something in your life preventing you from having your cell blocked for two hours, go to a different theatre. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/39 "2014-01-15T13:04:05Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > As an example, [Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas](http://drafthouse.com) has this policy, “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards talking and texting during the movie. If you talk or text, you will receive one warning. If it happens again, you will be kicked out without a refund.” They also don’t allow teenagers in without a parent, which half-solves the problem anyway. > [@Blackberry](#): > > So it’s really a one-tolerance policy. I thought the same thing, but the one time we went, it seemed to be a much quieter movie-going experience. They made a big deal about the policy before the movie started. And it’s generally the asshole who keeps texting that drives you crazy, not the person that would sheepishly stop the first time they were called on it. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835/40 "2014-01-15T13:44:34Z")
Where I live one of the cinemas has a number you can text if there is someone being somehow inappropriate. The staff will come in and remove the person. I’d rather have that option and the two are obviously not compatible. So no, I wouldn’t go to a cinema that bans mobile phones. I also think the list of annoying behaviours when you’re in a room with other people is incredibly long and you can’t ban them all without treading on their freedoms anyway. Personally, people who smell disturb me much more than people who use their phone. I’d rather that the rule is we all try to behave ourselves and if someone is is out of line we can text the cinema and ask them to kick that person out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-patronize-a-movie-theater-that-has-a-mobile-device-ban/678835.md?page=3)