First, I'll say that I do not like seeing texters in the theater.
I think there is something to explore here, though. When I was a child, my parents (and really, everyone else in the theater) reinforced the "be quiet, watch the film, open your plastic-wrapped candy first" policy. If you even whispered to your neighbor, there would be someone in front or behind you that would say "shhh." It was the norm for attending all sorts of theater, from plays to symphony to ballet.
But we seem to have entered a different societal norm around devices. I was out with friends the other night at a favorite lounge after work. There was a group of 4 who were probably all less than 25. I glanced at their table and all of them were texting someone else. I was fascinated and watched them for a bit. For at least 5 minutes, they were all focused on their phones while taking sips from their drinks, occasionally smiling at the response they got on from their text buddy, but not saying a word to any of the other 3 people SITTING NEXT TO THEM!
If I had done that at the table with my friends, they would have had something pointed to say about being with the people who were there. But clearly, this is not the mindset of the younger people who were handed devices in elementary school.
I text at the movies, and I see plenty of others doing it. Not sure how this is a monstrous disturbance.
I think there is something to explore here, though. When I was a child, my parents (and really, everyone else in the theater) reinforced the "be quiet, watch the film, open your plastic-wrapped candy first" policy. If you even whispered to your neighbor, there would be someone in front or behind you that would say "shhh." It was the norm for attending all sorts of theater, from plays to symphony to ballet.
But we seem to have entered a different societal norm around devices. I was out with friends the other night at a favorite lounge after work. There was a group of 4 who were probably all less than 25. I glanced at their table and all of them were texting someone else. I was fascinated and watched them for a bit. For at least 5 minutes, they were all focused on their phones while taking sips from their drinks, occasionally smiling at the response they got on from their text buddy, but not saying a word to any of the other 3 people SITTING NEXT TO THEM!
If I had done that at the table with my friends, they would have had something pointed to say about being with the people who were there. But clearly, this is not the mindset of the younger people who were handed devices in elementary school.