Respect the rule as long it isnt excessive.

I have no problem with saving seats.

It's just common courtesy. Reserved seating isn't common in the US (even though it should be, especially for those of us who buy our tickets months in advance), so it's up to the masses to work it out for themselves. Problem is, a lot of people are terrible.

Last year, at a sold out screening of X-Men: First Class, a guy who was saving a seat got in a fistfight with another guy who was sitting in his seat. The seat was right next to mine.

I think it should be respected unless it is someone who is saving like 8-9 seats by themselves. Then it is more like "Sorry, but more than 1 person needs to show up if you want to hold them for a long period of time". Regardless, I always try to find other seats of somebody says they are saving them just to be polite; if the theater was crazy crowded, I would still probably just sit elsewhere. I would hate for someone to do that to me if I were saving seats, and I doubt I would want to sit next to people who are clearly annoyed with my presence.

first come first serve is the best strategy for everyone

Reserved seating avoids this issue.

Seems like they are building an Arclight in Bethesda, so you'll soon have a place to avoid interfering with these people too.

This is true, but usually people attack the middle area first, so groups can always make room around the margins. The front rows always are left out (which makes you wonder why they exist)

The one area where it's annoying is splitting ticket purchases with friends.

I'm generally cool with saving seats, I do it myself. But like, I think a good rule of thumb is saving one seat per person. If you have 10 people in your group it's pretty lame for a single person to think they can plop themselves in the center and take it over.

It is never a problem for me since I usually arrive early to all movies to ensure that I get the seat that I like (middle of a row about 2/3 up). However, I do see this a lot and my general view is that it depends on the type of movie as to how much respect the rule gets. At a family film, I would give it a bit more leeway since it is hard for kids to be split across multiple rows. At a horror film or R-rated comedy, it gets a bit less respect as big groups of teens or bros do not need to all sit together. The only problem is that teens and bros are the groups most likely to have one person save eight seats.

I hate hate hate when I am the person saving three or four seats. Feels so awkward, especially once a film is about to start and I can tell that the theater is near packed. I do not care so much when it is a matinée showing and maybe the theater is 1/2 full.

A far more pertinent question in my view (since all theatres around me do reserved) is when it's OK to give other patrons your death stare for being obnoxious during the showing.

LA viewers are generally the most well-mannered of any city I've gone to. Obviously, establishment matters. During my TDKR showing yesterday, this dang couple sits behind me right as the movie starts (ie, late). Both are fat, for starters. I think the woman's wearing overalls (in LA?). They each are like double fisting food. The male grubs his popcorn by shaking the damn bag as if he's packing his cigarettes. He does this against his palms and the seat in front of him. The woman is unpacking her food, flinging crumbs off her lap, oh. and chatting during the film.

At this point, I'm turning around and death staring at a rate of 40f per stare. Finally, the woman puts her pudgy feet (in sandals, no less) on the seat beside us. I turn around and firmly ask 'do you mind?' and it's smooth the rest of the film.

I felt guilty when I get up to take a piss and then sneak over to buy candy (I usually don't buy food but I still had nearly 2h to go). Ah well.

Whut

It was either overalls or a heavy sundress. Idk, neither made sense in 80 degree weather.

I didn't mention that they were both type- NOM NOM NOM mouth wide open/loud eaters.

OVERALLS? Who wears those to the movies? Are sweats ok, too???

I think its fair, unless its excessive.


Almost all people go watch a movie with a group.
Really its on these forums I ever hear about people going to watch a movie themselves.

lol due to my dad, I feel like a hobo if I ever dress down below Jeans when I go outside...

I think you should have one person 'staying' for every other additional seat (eg, one for two, two for four, three for six). If that isn't possible (either your friends are late arrivers or they each NEED to hit up the concession stand), and you think you'll be left behind holding the fort, probably best to have multiple articles of clothing or pick less crowded shows. If it's just you holding six seats with nothing to show for it, and those seats are prime...your group is overreaching

That's disgusting.

Assigned seating FTW!

The seats here have numbers the tickets have numbers. Problem solved. Never big discussions.

That's why you arrive early or get a reserved seat that costs a bit more. I've save seats before and watched other people's seats. That's part of moviegoing and the theatre knows it. I do agree though that if your friends aren't there when the show starts those seats become available to anyone who is actually there wanting a good seat.

I fully support saving seats.

Otherwise it'll soon get to the point where you lose your seat if you get up to go to the washroom or buy popcorn.



However, I'd also support a complete move to reserved seating, as many have already mentioned.

I never have a major problem with saved seats because, first, I prefer the first few rows, which are NOT the most popular seats, and, second, I get there early enough to get a good seat based on the film. If I'm seeing, say, The Master the night it opens at E Street Cinema, I'm not going to show up five minutes beforehand and expect to have a choice seat.

The few times I have been told a seat is saved, I respect this and find another.

Wut?!

david thrives on neck pain

The third and fourth rows are the best, in my opinion.

I never go up in theatres with stadium seating. I always turn the other way.

Why is the very front row there anyway since NO ONE LIKES IT. I've had the misfortune of having to sit in that row twice (for the first National Treasure and Safety Not Guaranteed). it just makes your neck hurt.