JESSICA KOLDITZ / Scroll

Chatting and munching and crunching

Theater etiquette gets lax with casual movie habits

Genevieve Erickson ERI03003@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

The 1930s were called the Golden Age of Hollywood. Movie theaters were called “movie palaces,” designed to hold hundreds, sometimes thousands of people. The interiors of these theaters boasted marble columns, glass chandeliers, vaulted ceilings and red carpeted stairways. To match the elaborate interior, people would arrive dressed in their best.

Today all this has ended and going to see a movie has become a very casual occasion.

“[Entertainment] is more accessible than it used to be. And because of that it’s become more relaxed,” said Diane Soelberg, of the Music Department.

Going to see a movie may no longer be a formal affair, but some forms of entertainment do require a more formal attitude.

“Going to the theater to see a movie is different from going to a concert,” Soelberg said. “A movie theater doesn’t have the same professional atmosphere as a concert or play.”

There are some things that are acceptable to do while watching a movie but are considered rude during a live concert or play.

“Don’t talk during the concert,” said Chelsea Ashton, a senior from Idaho Falls. “When people whisper comments during a movie it’s annoying, but at least the people on the screen can’t hear you. It’s really distracting for the performers when you talk.”

Eleece Sherwood, a senior from Shawnee, Kan., agrees with no talking. “Don’t talk. And don’t sing along with the music. It’s my solo,” Sherwood said.

Something about being in the dark encourages some couples to publicly display their affection for each other. At the movie theater this can be distracting for those people sitting near the couple. At a play or concert, even the performers take notice.

A few times when she’s been on stage, Sherwood has been able to hear people kissing in the audience. “Be careful of PDA,” Sherwood said. “You can be heard on stage.”

For some, going to the movies always includes buying a large tub of popcorn, a large drink and a couple of candy bars. Movies and popcorn go well together and, to many people, they seem inseparable. The same does not go for live performances.

Gum chewing and rustling candy wrappers may not seem so, but they are just loud enough to annoy the performers.

“Don’t underestimate the acoustics of the room,” Ashton said. “The performers on stage can hear better than you think they can.”

Generally, the rules at the movies are a little less strict. It’s okay to wear jeans and a T-shirt and eat popcorn. Just don’t try doing that at a concert.

“In general, society has become much less respectful. There needs to be more education to become aware of what is appropriate in different settings,” Soelberg said.