Imagine you’re in a movie theater and there is a man talking to his companion quite loudly. The person behind them leans forward and asks if they would please be quiet in the theater. The loud man then turns to his companion and states even louder, “It is amazing how rude people are nowadays!”
Was the person rude or simply asking for something they rightly should have?
Mr. Loud was obviously under the impression that asking for the courtesy of quietness while watching a movie was rude behavior because it upset the way he wanted to watch the movie.
This happens most when people are too wrapped up in themselves and their own comfort.
The person who asked Mr. Loud to be quiet wasn’t being rude, and in this somewhat less-than-courteous environment – they were being courageous. None of the other patrons spoke up – though everyone around Mr. Loud was thinking it!
Mr. Loud was the rude one, however I have a feeling he didn’t even realize how loud he was or how far his voice carried. When it was pointed out to him, instead of simply saying, “Thank you” – or “Excuse me” and being silent, he compounded the situation by calling the courageously courteous person rude.
This is a great reminder to all of us – and especially since we don’t know sometimes how we come across or how our conversations and comforts can really be offensive or rude to others.
Now that you have a movie theater in our mind – let’s touch on a couple of other things to avoid:
1. Talking during a film – when you have to give commentary on what is happening, it not only steals from the person you’re sharing with – it steals from you hearing what is being said next. Stop this habit in theaters and meetings. Pay attention – it’s a compliment to the director and actors – or meeting facilitator. It’s also courteous to your fellow attendees.
2. Using a cell phone in a theater – this is being taken care of more and more by the facility – no service inside the building, however if you are inside at an event, any event – turn the cell phone off.
3. Feet on the seat – we’ve become a very casual society and kicking your shoes off to prop them up in front of us is such a pleasure – except for the person in that seat… keep your feet down, this is not your couch.
4. Garbage – you bought it, you ate it, take it with you to the trash bin please – this will help those people walking behind you not step in yuck and make it easier for the facility to get things ready for the next showing.
What we do and how we behave in a theater affects everyone else in that place. Being aware is the key and doing all you can to be courteous will make the experience wonderful for you and everyone else too.
Happy viewing and I’ll see you in the dark!