Most people associate a movie theater with a good time. There's popcorn, drinks, and other snacks, comfy chairs, your friends and family, and of course that blockbuster you're about to see. However, as an employee or a former employee of a movie theater, the theater can come to be associated with more negative feelings and experiences. These negatives don't usually come from the movie theater itself or even the coworkers, but from the guests who visit the theater every day. Here are some observations I've made of people from working at a movie theater.
1. No one picks up after themselves.
Auditoriums after a movie has ended are usually disgusting. People are very quick to complain about theater's being dirty, but they forget who made the mess in the first place. My parents always taught me to clean up after myself wherever I go. I guess people forget that at a movie theater.
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2. They don't think food needs time to cook, or that it should be instantaneous, and then they want to get mad about it.
So many people have decided to not order chicken strips or cheese sticks because it will take five minutes to make. Five minutes. They usually ask for someone to complain to because, "That's just ridiculous."
3. No one has any concept of time management.
If your movie starts at 7 p.m., and you show up at 6:55 p.m., don't expect to be able to get your tickets, make it through the concession line (where they usually have to cook your food or take some time to prepare it), and make it to your movie on time. That's just common sense.
4. Everybody wants fresh popcorn, like actually popping out of the kettle, but no one wants to wait to get that fresh popcorn.
Popcorn doesn't pop on command. We can't take your order and instantly pop some fresh popcorn. Also, the popcorn you see already made is usually just a few minutes old, because several people order popcorn, and we do make it all day.
5. Every time we run out of something that a guest wants they think it's a personal attack on them.
6. Everybody wants to know why there's only two people working the concession line (or box office line), letting us know that it's ridiculous and that we need to have more people, but last time I checked concessionists aren't the scheduling manager.
7. Nobody can read.
That sign does say you can get two items for $6, but it also says you have to buy something else to get that deal. In big letters. Right next to it. Open your eyes.
8. Everyone wants to complain about the prices like we're forcing them to buy snacks.
First of all, concessionists and box office workers do not set the prices for tickets or the food, so if you want to complain about that then please call corporate. Second of all, no one forced you to get in this line and buy dinner for your family. We're not a restaurant, we're a snack bar.
9. Everyone is oblivious to everyone else around them.
Other people buy food too, other people are also there to see the same movie as you, we might run out of something while you stood in that line, stuff just happens. Get over it. You are not the only guest, and you are not the most special guest.
10. People actually ask for discounts because they don't like the prices.
The answer is no.
11. They will try to use expired coupons, or they'll try to use the coupon for something else.
The answer is again, no.
11. No one is prepared to give their order or to tell you what movie, and time, they want, and then wonder why the line is so long.
You are the reason.
12. People are suddenly surprised they need an I.D. to
If you look young enough, you're going to get carded, and yes, you have to have it with you, and yes, you have to be 17 to see a rated R movie. Why would you leave home without your I.D.
13. People will be rude and mean to anyone they think they can get away with it.
Just because I work at the movie theater doesn't mean I'm here to take your disrespect. You respect me, and I respect you, it's that simple.
14. I don't like people.
They're actually the worst.
