Bad Theater Behavior

[JudyDenmark]

Phantom4ever said: "Can someone give me perspective on the phone-out-for-just-a-second thing?"

It's never ok!! The only time I maaaaaybe don't mind a phone out for a second is in a curtain call, depending on the show. But certainly never during the actual performance. 

I got an Apple Watch several months ago and was so paranoid about it glowing, but there's literally a theatre mode - with comedy/tragedy masks as the icon - to make sure that it won't light up and bother people around you if you move your wrist. Though it took me a couple of shows to realize that I also needed to turn on Do Not Disturb to prevent it from bothering ME, haha. 

(Apologies if the watch theatre mode was already mentioned in this thread... I've been in and out and haven't read all 850 posts.)

[irishgator1]

In a separate non-theater-related forum, I see many people insist that regular watches are a relic of the past and that no one under X age wears one. People apparently think that their phone will suffice for a clock, but fail to realize that whipping out one’s phone to check the time in a meeting or in the theater is distracting and potentially seen as quite rude.

[Marianne2]

I went to a Cirque Du Soleil show tonight and hate that they encourage people to take photos and film it. Fortunately it was not a huge issue because I know I would not have been able to complain to an usher.

But, I ended up near the people who were late, got up a million times, and talked in full volume. The 1 child said he wanted to go home before it was over. Oh, and they did leave before curtain call. I wished they left sooner with all of their trips to get food.

[promisespromises2]

Forgot about this thread.

I recently saw Skintight and there was this older woman who's cellphone kept going off almost the ENTIRE time.  It was not a ring, more like a message tone, maybe?  She literally just sat there and ignored it even though everyone around her was staring at her and even though a woman in front of her turned around and told her to turn it off.

And then the inevitable Siri moment happened from a different person where I guess they accidentally pressed the Siri button and she started talking.

Idina definitely knew what was going on, she was staring at the older woman the entire time her phone kept going off.  Just completely obnoxious. 

 

Also, we saw Carousel that same night and there was a younger woman in one of the box seats who just whipped her phone out in "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" and just blatantly took a flash photo.  And then proceeded to keep checking her phone throughout the show.  It wouldn't have bothered me THAT much except the ushers were making a MAJOR deal of it and were basically running back and forth and all I kept seeing were them spying on the box seats from the curtain.  I think they were more distracting than the cellphone itself.

[dramamama611]

Rock and a hard place.

[EllieRose2]

Also, we saw Carousel that same night and there was a younger woman in one of the box seatswho just whipped her phone out in "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" and just blatantly took a flash photo. And then proceeded to keep checking her phone throughout the show. It wouldn't have bothered me THAT much except the ushers were making a MAJOR deal of it and were basically running back and forth and all I kept seeing were them spying on the box seats from the curtain. I think they were more distracting than the cellphone itself."

Good.  The ushers are actually doing their jobs.  It's annoying when they disappear after giving you their Playbill.  Also what happened during Skintight is horrific.  Idina has been outspoken about idiots in the theater, I can't believe the ushers did not remove the woman or take her phone away.  Jesus.

[dramamama611]

Very weird....I made no attempt to post anything.    

[Myshmoopsiepoo]

When I saw Harry Potter, the ushers seems to be really on top of the cell phones. I definitely saw one tell someone to put theirs away.
When I saw Charlie and the chocolate factory, I was in the last row and the woman next to me took out her phone and turn on the bright flashlight to read the playbill. Granted, it was the last row so no one was going to be disturbed by it besides for me I guess. I'm super non-confrontational about this kind of thing so I said nothing and she turned it off after about a minute or so. She didn't seem like someone who knew much about theater etiquette.
Personally, I just turn off the brightness on my phone and put it on airplane mode until intermission. I don't get why people would have their phones out. I get so distracted by mine, I wouldn't be able to focus on the show, which is what I came for.

[GeorgeandDot]

I don't know if I've talked about this on here previously, but trash talkers at shows are the absolute worst and they're always young, college students who would swear that they could write Hamlet better than William Shakespeare. I have yet to see a show this season in which the people behind weren't college students who b*tched about literally everything on stage. When I saw Angels, a bunch of NYU college students sat behind me and talked all about how they could fix this show. It's just obnoxious.

[ilysespieces]

PThespian said: "EllieRose2 said: "Also, we saw Carousel that same night and there was a younger woman in one of the box seatswho just whipped her phone out in "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" and just blatantly took a flash photo. And then proceeded to keep checking her phone throughout the show. It wouldn't have bothered me THAT much except the ushers were making a MAJOR deal of it and were basically running back and forth and all I kept seeing were them spying on the box seats from the curtain. I think they were more distracting than the cellphone itself."

Good. The ushers are actually doing their jobs. It's annoying when they disappear after giving you their Playbill. Also what happened during Skintight is horrific. Idina has been outspoken about idiots in the theater, I can't believe the ushers did not remove the woman or take her phone away. Jesus."

You’re not a huge fan of ushers, are you?

I don’t think you realize we do more than just seat people. Customer service, especially when dealing with the Broadway demographic, is not easy. Of course you have to be vigilant for electronic devices. We also have safety training every month so that in the event of an emergency we can attend to the patrons. We, of course, go down with the ship.

Over the years I’ve been an usher I’ve been hit, deficated on, vomited on, helped a woman in labor, administered CPR, tripped going down stairs in the dark because a patron put their bag in the aisle, dealt with more drunks than I can count and communicated with people from all over the world who didn’t speak English.

I go to work when everyone else is at home, and Iget one night off. Every night as an usher you’rewatching the same thing, and you can forget about seeing other shows unless you take off.

I promise you you don’t have the first clue what’s involved.

Don’t get me wrong. I love ushering, but it’s more challenging than people like you think.

I’m used to people talking bad about my lawyer job. No one likes lawyers. It upsets me, though, when people talk bad about ushers because it comes from pure ignorance as to what the job entails."

 

Have you ever done/would you ever do an AMA/stories type thread? Your posts just make me want to ask all kinds of questions ??

[EllieRose2]

I love lawyers and Im not trashing you.  I like ushers who take their job seriously and are good at their jobs.  An example of horrible ushers would be ushers currently at Skintight.  An example of great ushers are the ones at Angels of America.  They are good at their jobs.  

[bwayrose7]

PThespian said: "EllieRose2 said: "Also, we saw Carousel that same night and there was a younger woman in one of the box seatswho just whipped her phone out in "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" and just blatantly took a flash photo. And then proceeded to keep checking her phone throughout the show. It wouldn't have bothered me THAT much except the ushers were making a MAJOR deal of it and were basically running back and forth and all I kept seeing were them spying on the box seats from the curtain. I think they were more distracting than the cellphone itself."

Good. The ushers are actually doing their jobs. It's annoying when they disappear after giving you their Playbill. Also what happened during Skintight is horrific. Idina has been outspoken about idiots in the theater, I can't believe the ushers did not remove the woman or take her phone away. Jesus."

You’re not a huge fan of ushers, are you?

I don’t think you realize we do more than just seat people. Customer service, especially when dealing with the Broadway demographic, is not easy. Of course you have to be vigilant for electronic devices. We also have safety training every month so that in the event of an emergency we can attend to the patrons. We, of course, go down with the ship.

Over the years I’ve been an usher I’ve been hit, deficated on, vomited on, helped a woman in labor, administered CPR, tripped going down stairs in the dark because a patron put their bag in the aisle, dealt with more drunks than I can count and communicated with people from all over the world who didn’t speak English.

I go to work when everyone else is at home, and Iget one night off. Every night as an usher you’rewatching the same thing, and you can forget about seeing other shows unless you take off.

I promise you you don’t have the first clue what’s involved.

Don’t get me wrong. I love ushering, but it’s more challenging than people like you think.

I’m used to people talking bad about my lawyer job. No one likes lawyers. It upsets me, though, when people talk bad about ushers because it comes from pure ignorance as to what the job entails."

Fellow usher here! I haven't checked off quite as many incidents as you have, but there's definitely some horror stories. And some truly wonderful ones as well. I get similar comments all the time: people either think I do nothing but get paid to watch shows, or people think that I have some sort of all-seeing superpower capable of discerning their whims before they even speak. 

And as a bonus, I'm... let's say, not especially imposing physically. I have had people physically push past me during holds, tower over me to yell in my face, and more, all because I tried to do my job. It ain't glamorous.

[Marianne2]

There was a Twitter account called @UsherStrugs. They haven't posted anything in awhile though. The stuff I would read there reminded me a bit of what I deal with in retail. Obviously things may be different based on job duties. But, it's all customer service. It still amazes me how people look down on these as being poor jobs for people to have. But, I'm sure if nobody did these jobs and patrons were left on their own, some would get really angry. And even when they are helped, some are still awful and treat employees as their personal slaves.

[SweetLips22]

Oh for those 'good old days' when as an usher[in Australia] all I did on the door was smile, tear tickets and if working inside show patrons to their seat--there was no such thing as mobile phones so the only disturbance was coughing, talking and lolly wrappers. There was always a fireman somewhere in the house and one of us sat at the back [on each level]but mostly we were gossiping and giggling somewhere in the foyers and reappeared at interval and at the end.

It's 2018 and society is now glued to their phones, their whole life is now controlled by this device. The more aps that are created the more one is dependent and addicted, it literally tells you what to do, where to go and almost how to behave. This hand held device is an accessory that is carried no matter what you are wearing, or going--it is now actually a part of YOU. I am sure that one day it will be able to be implanted so you won't accidentally drop it down the loo.

My point--ushers, announcements etc will not prevent these very recent problems happening in theatres or any other public gatherings. We have now been brainwashed into thinking we must photograph everything we do and wherever we are be it food/events whatever and then 'share' this with our ever growing list of 'friends'. 'Hello Betty, where are you?' 'oh, I'm just walking down the street, where are you?' 'Oh just taking a pee'.'Oh please take a photo for me'.

Someone invented this monster so another can invent a security device that shuts it down when walking past it into a building.[ Don't give a stuff about civil rights]. This is not science fiction but must happen so that the dwindling society that knows how to behave is not disturbed by those that don't.

[kelsey1389]

I saw Chicago today, and I knew it was going to be... a less experienced crowd, if that makes any sense. I was sitting towards the aisle of the second row.  When the second act started, the guy in front of me (so in the first row) was texting. The actor standing directly in front of us was STARING at him, until finally the usher came and told him to turn it off. At that moment, I made eye contact with the actor on stage, and we laughed at the guy, It was fantastic

[JayElle]

 At Angels in America in front of me on the aisle 4th row, a woman used a phony "service animal" jacket she bought on the internet and had her disruptive yorkie on her lap or the seat next to her.

Before anyone says I don't like dogs, I owned a pet/house sitting business for a decade. I find inconsiderate pet owners the worst.  I also had involvement in training seeing eye dogs.  The federal law defines "service animals" as those that are "trained" to do something. Guide the blind, pull a wheel chair, open a door, etc. When it's not "working" doing its task, its trained to sit or lie quietly at the owners feet.    Companion animals do not fall under the American w/Disabilities act and are not service dogs.  NY establishments do not have to accommodate companion animals, especially those with internet jackets.  

Her dog was anything but trained.  She let it pee on the seat and then tried to wipe it up.  It couldn't sit still especially during the loud booms, and she didn't even bother to walk it outside during one of the two intermissions. Instead she started "walking it" in the aisle. I stopped her at my row and told her that was inappropriate and that I didn't want it relieving itself near me.  She reeled, surprised that someone called her on her BS.   When it became disruptive during the show, I said I would ask that it be removed if she didn't get her "fake service dog" under control. She just about stuck it in a bag. 

I saw a legit "service dog" at Fair Lady.  A professionally trained German Shepard that did what it was supposed to do. Sit quietly at the owner's feet until needed.   I work on behalf of disabled and it disgusts me to see legitimacy of these animals degraded by self-absorbed owners who can't part with their animal for a few hours or pay for a sitter.

[DAME]

The dog thing is getting out of control.  I think heavy fines when you fail to show proper documentation and proof of your disability should be issued.  And licenses should be taken away from people that give themto people that don't need them.  At "On Your Feet" this past Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.. a woman with a small dog in one of those bought over the internet vests was not permitted in the theater.  She made a small scene at the entrance with some stupid, ill informed people cheering her on.   Kudos to the staff for not falling for it. 

[JayElle]

Glad to hear that at least LA won't stand for the bull.  What made this situation even more annoying is that the aisle seat went unsold. She moved into it with the yorkie allowing it to wander into the aisle during the show. And when a woman then moved into her seat, the self-absorbed fake service dog owner complained. I still cherish the look on her face when I called her on her BS.  No legit service dog would ever be shoved into a handbag. Unfortunately we couldn't shove her out the door.

[VintageSnarker]

JayElle said: "I saw a legit "service dog" at Fair Lady. A professionally trained German Shepard that did what it was supposed to do. Sit quietly at the owner's feet until needed. I work on behalf of disabled and it disgusts me to see legitimacy of these animals degraded by self-absorbed owners who can't part with their animal for a few hours or pay for a sitter."

Isn't it usually easy to tell a service dog from a (real or fake) emotional support animal or whatever they're calling it these days? Service dogs tend to be larger breeds like golden retrievers, don't they? My dog is a little less than 20 pounds and I don't think he'd be a great service animal let alone a teacup poodle or a chihuahua. That said, if you are going to bring any kind of animal to the theater, it should at least be housetrained. Letting it relieve itself in the theater? Ugh, some people.

[ArtMan]

People have been trying and usually getting away with it for years, with all breeds of dogs as well as other species, for their "emotional support" animals.  There was a woman recently who was refused by United Airlines, who thought she could bring a peacock onto her flight.  It really is a racket.  We don't allow renters to have dogs at my condos.  One renter, being caught with two dogs,stated they were emotional support animals.  Our BOD was too afraid of the legal ramifications, so they let her get away with it.  So she struts around with these tiny teacup poodles.  I'm positive they aren't trained in anything to help this woman.  Again, it's a racket for people to get away with more shi*.

[ArtMan]

double post

[dramamama611]

VintageSnarker said: "Isn't it usually easy to tell a service dog from a (real or fake) emotional support animal or whatever they're calling it these days? Service dogs tend to be larger breeds like golden retrievers, don't they? "

 

Not really....as service animals provide support in many ways.  Some are just to be a calming resource...which is found by petting/holding the animal.

 

That being said -- I hate people that take advantage of anything, especially in this case as it makes it harder for those with legimate need to be taken seriously.

 

[VintageSnarker]

dramamama611 said: "VintageSnarker said: "Isn't it usually easy to tell a service dog from a (real or fake) emotional support animal or whatever they're calling it these days? Service dogs tend to be larger breeds like golden retrievers, don't they? "



Not really....as service animals provide support in many ways. Some are just to be a calming resource...which is found by petting/holding the animal.



That being said -- I hate people that take advantage of anything, especially in this case as it makes it harder for those with legimate need to be taken seriously.

"

That's what I meant. I was making a distinction between something like a seeing eye dog and an emotional support animal. A small breed doesn't seem like it would do as good of a job being a guide dog or aiding with retrieval or rescue or mobility. I'm lucky if rude people don't try to step on my dog on his daily walks and he's already almost 20 pounds.

[msmp]

dramamama611 said: "VintageSnarker said: "Isn't it usually easy to tell a service dog from a (real or fake) emotional support animal or whatever they're calling it these days? Service dogs tend to be larger breeds like golden retrievers, don't they? "



Not really....as service animals provide support in many ways. Some are just to be a calming resource...which is found by petting/holding the animal.



That being said -- I hate people that take advantage of anything, especially in this case as it makes it harder for those with legimate need to be taken seriously.

"

This is not intended to be snarky (just to clarify), but do comfort animals/emotional support animals qualify as service animals under the ADA? I know some airlines, for instance, will only accept certain kinds of animals (cats and dogs usually) for emotional support, as opposed to trained service animals.

[dramamama611]

Vintage Snarker - my apologies, I misread your post, indeed.

MSMP - I cant answer your question straightforwardly as I cant verify the info floating in my head. Id hate to state something that ive heard, only to find out that ive eother remembered incorrectly or was given incotrect info.