Pausing a movie in your own living room because someone glanced at their phone is unhinged.
By @jettok · Red Flag
My friend pauses whatever we are watching every single time anyone looks down at a text, sitting in dead silence until the screen is put away. She claims it is basic respect for the film and the host, but the rest of us just feel like hostages.
The full story
My friend hosts movie night and will literally pause the film if someone picks up their phone to check a notification. Last night someone glanced down for three seconds to verify an a rideshare Eats dropoff and she paused the entire movie, crossed her arms, and stared at them until they put it face down on the rug. We are 26 years old, not in a silent study hall. If you want pristine uninterrupted cinema etiquette, go pay $18 at an Alamo Drafthouse. We are sitting on an a place nearby sofa eating lukewarm spinach dip.
How people voted
- Bad Move — 31% (24 votes)
- Needs Context — 43% (33 votes)
- Reasonable — 26% (20 votes)
Readers say “Needs Context” (43%) — 77 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@gusagain — If someone invites you under their roof to watch a feature you give the television your undivided attention.
@hankyk — Movie nights are supposed to be cozy and fun, life is too stressful to sit on pins and needles like that sweetheart!
@weswelp — she is using cinema etiquette to mask a massive need for control.
@colekinda — Why hasn't anyone in the group just offered to host at their place instead?
@westbh — cooked. host is insane.