A 3-year-old at Casino Royale!?

[DonTadow]

Yes, taking a child to a movie theater is rude. I'm willing to bet, however, that virtually everyone here has been taken to a movie theater as a child. So who are you to complain, having been in that child's shoes?

Taking a child on an airplane is even ruder, but when you have a small child whose grandparents are far away, you have to occasionally do it.

Having a child is a very rude thing to do in general. They scream, they stink, and they're covered in snot. Everyone would be happier if they just weren't around to mess things up.

I find much more of a "Hey, this is my world" attitude in those who demand silence from children and hermitage from parents, than in those trying to show their kids a good time.

Sorry, my parents were responsible enough to A. take me to the movies during the day and B. take me to age appropriate movies. There's no escuse for taking your 6 year old to the 10:30 showing of Saw III because "you an't miss it".

 

[Simplicity]

Sorry, my parents were responsible enough to A. take me to the movies during the day and B. take me to age appropriate movies. There's no escuse for taking your 6 year old to the 10:30 showing of Saw III because "you an't miss it".

I have no disagreement with you on either of those points. Those parents were ruder than they had to be. I'm not sure why they thought Saw III would be good for their six-year-old.

The time of the movie only really matters in that later movies typically have more patrons (It won't kill a child to stay up late now and then). So an earlier showing probably would have been better.

Some people on this thread are saying "No children at higher rated movies ever!"
I'm just arguing that that's a silly thing, and that parents should *minimize* their rudeness as they can, but take their children to what they know their children can handle and enjoy. Regardless of what the government or the other theater patrons say otherwise.

 

[grimwell]

There is a thing sociologists call a 'social norm' by which they mean an unwritten law that the larger pool of society's members adhere to. One of those norms is that you don't take young children to movies that aren't for young children. If you do this, you may well be within your legal rights and personal choice, but you are outside the norm. You are violating the rules of polite society.

Happens a lot these days. People have become more self-centered and the net result is that it's a lot less pleasant to be in public.

I have three children, ages 10, 6, and 4. The only time my wife and I see 'adult' movies is when we can get a babysitter. For years that was about twice a year. We watched DVD's instead. Once you get over the 'falling into the hype of seeing it at release' mentality, it's actually nice.

I can pause the movie at home if my kids get out of bed. I can watch it over a span of days if needed. Most importantly, there aren't jerks on their cell phones or screaming kids.

I do feel the pain that some have when they don't have babysitters, but that's no excuse. Good common sense and courtesy mandate that you don't do certain things with your kids, or you remove your kids if the act up. You don't make others suffer for your own game.

 

[Simplicity]

There is a thing sociologists call a 'social norm' by which they mean an unwritten law that the larger pool of society's members adhere to. One of those norms is that you don't take young children to movies that aren't for young children. If you do this, you may well be within your legal rights and personal choice, but you are outside the norm. You are violating the rules of polite society.

Happens a lot these days. People have become more self-centered and the net result is that it's a lot less pleasant to be in public.

Then I guess I'm a rebel. I'll lather and I'll rinse, but I'll never repeat!
Just because something is a societal norm, doesn't make it right. The public is the public and if people are so imposed upon by it, perhaps it is they who should stay home.

I'll go during the day, when the theater is as empty as it can be. I'll give my kid food to stuff his face with (and keep the words from coming out). I'll take my kid out of a theater if he's screaming or running up and down the hall, but short of that... Too bad.

Reminds me of an old quote: "No one goes there nowadays, it's too crowded."

 

[Infiniti2000]

I'm willing to bet, however, that virtually everyone here has been taken to a movie theater as a child. So who are you to complain, having been in that child's shoes?

So, you're argument is that since it happened to you as a child, you should feel okay to do it to your own children? I don't think you realize how nonsensical your point is.

Once you get over the 'falling into the hype of seeing it at release' mentality, it's actually nice.

QFT. I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford a very expensive HTS, so I do not even have the motivation to go to the theater for the theater-like quality. I have it, and probably better, at home.

 

[Simplicity]

So, you're argument is that since it happened to you as a child, you should feel okay to do it to your own children? I don't think you realize how nonsensical your point is.

My argument is that it's something I have wildly fond memories of. Going to see movies with my dad was one of the ways I connected with him. Movie-going was practically a family ritual for me. It made me appreciate not just movies, but storytelling in general. It exposed me to deeper insights than the bland garbage pushed as literature at school.

So, yes, I hope to expose my child to that sort of experience too.

 

[Simplicity]

Let me put it this way. How do you feel about going to see The Santa Claus 3 or RV in the theater? Oh wouldn't you love to go out and see yet another shlocky G-rated non-funny "family" movie.

Your kid might want to go see it. If your kid was raised on crap movies.

Or, if you have shown your child what real movies are about, they'll hold the same disdain for those films that you do. And then you can quit pretending to love going out to see these same stupid movies over and over again, and go see something with meat in it.

 

[Jesus_marley]

The problem is not people who take their kids to the movies. The problem is people who take their children to the movies (or any other social gathering) and then are surprised when other people complain about the poor behaviour of the child.
People have an expectation (and a quite reasonable one) to not have to deal with a child in a designated adult situation or arena (an R rated movie for example). If you want to take your child to an R rated film, go ahead. I will have no objections as long as your child behaves. But if I am there, and that child starts to make noise, run the aisles, talk or cry, I will surely expect you to deal with the problem by removing the child immediately. The main thing you have to remember is that there are 300 other people who paid 10 dollars to see the movie too.

It is simply a question of courtesy. Of which far too many people seem to be lacking these days.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

The problem is not people who take their kids to the movies. The problem is people who take their children to the movies (or any other social gathering) and then are surprised when other people complain about the poor behaviour of the child.
People have an expectation (and a quite reasonable one) to not have to deal with a child in a designated adult situation or arena (an R rated movie for example). If you want to take your child to an R rated film, go ahead. I will have no objections as long as your child behaves. But if I am there, and that child starts to make noise, run the aisles, talk or cry, I will surely expect you to deal with the problem by removing the child immediately. The main thing you have to remember is that there are 300 other people who paid 10 dollars to see the movie too.

It is simply a question of courtesy. Of which far too many people seem to be lacking these days.

That pretty much sums up my thoughts. It isn't so much about not taking your kids to the movies. If they sit there and happily watch the movie I don't have a problem with it (provided it's not a 5 year old watching Basic Instinct or something like that). The problem is when the kid gets bored and starts talking, crying, running around, etc., and the parent doesn't deal with them. Why should everyone else at the cinema have to put up with that?

In summary, well behaved children at the cinema, no problems. Annoying children who whose parents won't do anything about them, big problem.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Ranger REG]

Those are EXPENSIVE milk duds you're talking about!!!

Not unless you sneaked them in. I know, I know, it's rude to smuggle in affordable snack and eating it in front of theater patrons who chose to buy them at concession standard for $5 per tiny (8-ounce) box. Suckas.

I'm a cheap SOB, and I approved this message.