Movie People Theater Things Rude Stand Describing Boring

Sometimes the "behavior" (the way that one acts; the things that one does) of other people can "ruin" (destroy; make something not as good) the experience of going to see a movie in a movie theater. In the United States, most people expect certain "etiquette" (polite ways of behaving and interacting with other people) to be followed in a movie theater.

In general, it is "rude" (not polite) to talk loudly while a movie is playing, because this might "distract" other people or make it difficult for them to concentrate on the movie. It is also rude to "crinkle" (move something in one's hands so that it makes a loud noise) food "wrappers" (the paper and plastic that food is packaged in) so that other people can't hear the movie. Cell phones should be turned off for the same reason.

It is also rude to "block" (not let something be seen) other people's view. For example, movie watchers generally avoid wearing tall hats. If the theater isn't full and there are many empty seats, it would be rude to sit directly in front of another person. It is always better to sit slightly to the side in the next "row" (a group of seats in one straight line).

Movie theater etiquette requires that people do not stand up and move around the theater very much. If a "movie-goer" (someone in a theater to watch a movie) has to get up to go to the bathroom, they should stand up, "hunch over" (slightly bend one's knees, back, and neck so that one is not as tall as usual) and quietly say "excuse me" while waiting for other people in the row to stand up. When that person returns to the row, they should wait for a "dull" (unexciting) moment in the movie before going back to his or her seat.