Moviegoer stabbed for complaining about rude cellphone usage

[aimeekitty]

Moviegoer stabbed for complaining about rude cellphone usage:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-meat-thermometer10-2010mar10,0,5161485,print.story

Really, people?
I'm glad that my husband and I left the theater early the other night when we had someone start cursing at us after we asked him to stop using his cellphone in the theater. Lancaster isn't all that far from us either, not that it matters. (Though it is encouraging that some people came to the victim's aid.) Can you imagine though...? YOU are being RUDE,... you are ruining everyone else's movie experience by talking loud on your cellphone (which is against the rules, but regardless)... and someone *GASP* asks you to stop or keep it down. And instead of feeling ashamed or apologizing... or even being unrighteously mad but keeping it to yourself... instead of all that, you get your two big guy friends to stab the person in the parking lot with a meat thermometer.

I was talking to a friend who works at the gym this morning and she said that sometimes when she asks guys not to drop (and damage) the $300 110 lb weights on the floor, that they get belligerent with her and that only recently did the management back her up to the point that she felt safe even asking them not to do it.

And you know... I expect people to do more than just not stab or punch each other... I expect them to be polite and kind to each other. Seems like a lot to ask for in our current society.
And it gets worse and worse as the polite people are bullied in to keeping quiet and taking it.

Comments

[zorichan.livejournal.com]

I agree. People are going nuts lately. No one seems to get the concept of decency anymore. Something may be legal but you shouldn't do it for decency's sake. In this case, that wasn't legal but it usually starts smaller with cutting people off, rude remarks etc. Still it weakens your faith in people when reading stories like this.

[quentin-watson.livejournal.com]

You got cursed at for asking someone to turn their cell off?? Holy crap...and getting stabbed with a meat thermometer, that's insane...

Save for people kicking the back of my chair and flying popcorn, I've had pretty good luck at movie theaters, thankfully!

[diavana.livejournal.com]

:( Scary.

[haikujaguar.livejournal.com]

I might be going crazy, but I get the feeling that the more we legislate behavior, the less incentive there is for people to act properly if there's no law that's going to stop them from doing the wrong thing.

Courtesy and kindness aren't required by law, so people think they don't have to do it the way they do other things that are. :P

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I think a big part of it is the current entitlement attitude that seems to be getting worse and worse.

Pretty much all movie theaters have a no-celphone rule... but people ignore it because they (a) can't disconnect from their borg (b) are narcissistic and don't give a shit about anyone other than themselves. If they want to do it, they should be able to do it, and if you say they can't do it, then you are the BAD PERSON for daring to curtail their play time.

It's like... are we jackals now...? Not people?

A similar story happened in a coffee shop. A woman was talking loudly on the phone and someone asked her if she could speak more quietly,... and the woman threw her hot coffee in their face and then BIT THEM and ran away!!

It's all, feed me, I have to be happy, I don't care if my happiness hurts others, I want what I want when I want it.

and parents, when they hear their child beat up another child, they yell at the school or the victim instead of punish their child for being a bully.

and lord forbid you ask someone not to pick on others or make fun of other people. Let's not even go down that route because that's a lot further on the side of personal decency than not stabbing someone in a parking lot.

[mrlich.livejournal.com]

I think that - while all this is true - we (as a society) promote this kind of behavior in people.

I know that sounds crazy - bear with me here.

We tell our kids "look out for number one first", "be a go getter", and "worry about you" to the exclusion of "Be considerate of others." The upsetting thing is that this seems to be a progressive mindset over the years. Our grandparents understood that you have to "be considerate of others" first, and then try to excel to the best of your abilities. Our kids think "me first".

I'm both happy and saddened by the fact that my parents taught me to be considerate of others first - to walk a mile in their shoes. Happy because I know that I will never be the darker half of an article like this one. Saddened because I don't have the 'killer instinct' that I sometimes need in the working world to get that promotion or make the sale because I'm too concerned with the welfare of others.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I do think that many parents allow their children to think that it's "number one first". They either teach their kids that way, or they simply teach them that through neglect.

I think that you can still be polite while not allowing people to walk over you. You can still be strong. A lot of people are "nice" but don't speak up when someone is abusing them. There's a difference between being basically decent and being a doormat.

... unfortunately sometimes when you speak up, someone will stab you.

but... I think one of the bottom lines is,... if "success" requires a killer instinct,... is that really something that you want?

[http://users.livejournal.com/piratess__/]

I think a big part of it is the current entitlement attitude that seems to be getting worse and worse.

You really hit the nail on the head with that quote. As an elementary school teacher, I am frequently appalled by the attitudes of both my students and their parents that they are "owed" things, be it a good grade on something half-assed, a prize from the treasure box for showing little to no progress, or a pizza party for mediocre behavior. A relative of mine is a lobbyist in Virginia and he was telling me that some of the warehouses there are having trouble with employee turnover. Turns out these folks in their late teens and 20s expect pizza parties every other day, just for coming to work on time. And if they don't get some sort of extra incentive for staying on the job, they just go berserk, curse out the management, and quit.

A few weeks ago my supervisor came to visit one of my best 4th grade classes. She commented on the fact that I was not employing any sort of incentive system with them, and when I replied that "I don't see the need to do something like that when they're perfectly well-behaved and motivated on their own," she FOUGHT ME ON IT. I mean, REALLY? Do we NEED to teach every kid that goes through the public education system that there's a prize for doing things that you OUGHT to do, like sit through class without giving another kid the middle finger or finish your work on time? Because no one's giving ME pizza parties for writing all of my lesson plans for the next day, and I sure as heck don't get to pick a new pencil out of the treasure box after I spend 6 extra hours at school doing report card grades. :C

It is so sad to me that these young people are our nation's future.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

YIKES. YIKES.

[fernblossom.livejournal.com]

Agreed. Just heard an interesting radio show where a teacher was championing the same thing. The thought was that by giving incentives for things the kids should be doing on their own - reading books, making good grades- you are teaching the kids that only a sucker would do those things for free!

[zorichan.livejournal.com]

Your last sentence is so true!

[missmonstermel.livejournal.com]

EVERY time i tell someone to stop yelling/talking/kicking my chair/talking on phone at a movie they have the nerve to go "SHHHHHHHHH!" to me or argue with me. If someone asked/told me to stop talking at a place i wasn't supposed to talk at, I'd just....STOP. Maybe apologize and sheepishly smile. I just don't see how someone can blunder through life being totally inconsiderate of everyone else. How do these people live? How do they have friends? How do they cope with the world when their egos are so fragile they have to freak out at anyone criticizing them?

"And it gets worse and worse as the polite people are bullied in to keeping quiet and taking it."

Exactly. It makes me sick. No one wants to stick up for themselves because so many evil people are willing to stab/shoot/beat someone to make themselves feel better. I know violence is nothing new but it seems like it's getting worse. Maybe it's just the frequency of it being reported than it really happening more but it still makes me really angry.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

And there are SO MANY OF THEM. So they think it's ok, and it's the polite people who are being rude by daring to ask them to stop.

I think it's getting worse, yes. Maybe I'm a crochedy old woman... but... I really think it is getting worse. Because they get away with it and because I think families and lives are a lot more fractured than they used to be. (and so people are very sad and angry... and don't have happy lives... and they aren't taught any better, either...) And because bad behavior is encouraged on the internet...

I mean shit, I love the internet, but look at 4chan.

[missmonstermel.livejournal.com]

I just remember using the El in chicago and some dude lit up a cigarette...like it was a totally normal thing to do. I asked him to put it out ( are you kidding me?) and his girlfriend started screeching at me. What? REALLY? Everyone acted so irritated by his smoke but no one else would say a damn thing or help me out. They just stared like zombies. I quickly learned to just keep to myself on public transit. Shut up, deal with it and let the assholes have their way so long as they aren't hurting me :/

I do think there is a culture of "being an utter dick is hilarious and a Good Thing" that's been brought about on the internet. People are dealing with their own issues by trying to one up each other on how horrible they can be to other people ( 4chan) It's become this badge of honor to troll someone or act like a total jerk and get a reaction. Normally someone that acts like that would have negative consequences. Online they get rewarded by other people patting them on the back.

It's a bad combo: Anonymous, no consequences, no rules and a herd/hive/mob mentality plus angry/sad people that probably hate themselves with nothing else going on. And i do agree that it spills over into real life and causes social issues.

I wonder if we notice the rudeness more because now that we are older we aren't shielded from it like we may have been as children? We have to deal with it head-on now?

But then again.... I'm not sure people were stabbing each other over movie arguments in the past so you might be right!

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I totally agree on all points.

When I was younger, I didn't live in a major metropolis area and we didn't see movies in the theater that much either... but ... even so, I do think it's a lot worse now than it was like, say, ten years ago.
When I was in college, I was living in the same place, roughly, I am now... and I don't remember it being like this at all. People certainly weren't texting in theaters all the time. The most you'd get would be someone talking a little too much to their neighbor, but nothing like now.

[mitsu-chan.livejournal.com]

I really.... can't fathom why people can't be polite to each other. It's not difficult, it doesn't cost anything, and it's always going to make you look like the better person. I think that for the most part, a lot of people you hear about in these situations just aren't raised to be polite.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

it is difficult though,... because you have to stop being selfish and think about others. You have to sacrifice some of your enjoyment.

Sure, for a decent person, it doesn't take that much effort, but... obviously someone who thinks stabbing someone in a parking lot is justified... it's too difficult to be polite.

and yeah, I do think it's part of people being raised poorly. Obviously you can rise above that, but... a lot of people don't try.

[pogo101.livejournal.com]

It's the last part of the linked story that gets me.

1. Woman is using her cell in the cinema, during movie. Is asked to stop.

2. She left, I'm assuming with "words exchanged." But she didn't really leave, did she? 'cause ....

3. she rounds up two criminal friends who are willing to neckstab someone they've never seen before, because their "bitch" told them to.

4. stabbing occurs

5. ALL THREE GOT AWAY AND ARE STILL AT LARGE.

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

actually, she left with two guys, and the two guys came back, so it could have been the same two guys.

and... stabbing occurs WITH witnesses who try and help the victim and they still get away and are at large in the next town over from us. :P

I worry for theater workers, too.

[1ucifer.livejournal.com]

It seems society really is simply going insane. People resort to violence and bullying rather than accept they did something wrong.

-_-;

[truesakura.livejournal.com]

..... people in movie theaters are RUDE when i was seeing alice some lady pulled out a PUPPY from her purse..... seriously now a puppy?!

[mmymoon.livejournal.com]

I've heard a LOT about how people get yelled at when asking others to be quiet... this doesn't shock me, sadly.

And people wonder why I don't like going to the movies--! No thanks, I'll stick to my DVDs!

We do go to the theater-theater... but we usually go for a matinee so we don't have to leave the city so late. I always struggle with myself, as these tend to attract lots of families, who feel the need to loudly snack during the show. You paid $50 a seat TO EAT CRACKERS? SERIOUSLY, LADY. IF YOUR KIDS CAN'T HANDLE THIRTY MINUTES WITHOUT A JUICE BOX, THEY NEED TO STAY HOME. But I don't say anything... luckily, at the recent Mel Brooks musical, there weren't any kids. Imagine... ;)

[laragoth.livejournal.com]

The only thing you can do nowadays is to go to the management/security and try to get someone to come in the theater from the staff, playing the anonymous card as much as you can. I know one night in SF we had a bunch of guys I would not have been surprised were in a gang disturbing the movie we were watching. I wouldn't touch THAT with a ten foot pole. They pay people for that priviledge, so I'll gladly let them handle it and be part of a crowd of suspects (i.e. everyone around them) instead of making myself a target.

That, or complain and get your money back from the theater as a friend of mine did recently. Enough people do that and they might go through other options to enforce courtesy. Yeah, it's gonna suck to have a security guy standing in your theater, but if it keeps my movie experience pleasant? I'd go for that, and I'd pay extra per ticket to get that luxury.

[jadewik.livejournal.com]

They used to have security guys who'd enforce the quiet rules in theaters-- the Ushers. Maybe it's time to go a little "old school" when it comes to movie theaters.

[yume-ninja.livejournal.com]

there is really too much of this behaviour in today's society. it's appalling. worse, these douches have some how escaped for now.

it's not just cell phone useage that pisses me off, it's the one guy who saves 20seats even though it's 10minutes into previews and his douchey loud friends won't arrive until 20minutes into the movie.

generally, i'm really vocal and confrontational bout people who do that, and i've been warned by my parents that one day i'll get hurt or killed too.

people just don't think beyond themselves these days. they get huffy like "i paid for this" and that some how makes them entired to be assholes.

i rarely even go to the movies, and when i do it's generally to arclight or landmark where the ushers stand around for 30min in case there are dbs who won't turn off their phones or shut up.

[sarahbellem.livejournal.com]

The only time I willingly set foot in a theater any more is when I can ensure that the clientele will be over 40 and of a certain socio-economic status. If that sounds classist, tough. I grew sick of going to the movies in my hometown because the areas were so rough that stabbings/shootings/assaults/robberies would happen EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. It was just not safe, period.

I still hate seeing movies in theaters because I cannot control the environment (I get claustrophobic when I'm locked into a seat for 2 and a half hours) and there's always an asshat who thinks texting is ok, sitting in front of me. But at least at Santana Row, there's less of a chance that that asshat will be armed.

[animeangel.livejournal.com]

Jesus tap dancing Chris, AND they hurt the people trying to help? What a bunch of low life fuck heads.

[supinternets.livejournal.com]

Oh man, how terrible. I cannot believe some people on this planet.

[rhoboat.livejournal.com]

Ugh, this makes me so angry and sad at the same time. It reminds me of last year seeing a rated R movie and this young woman next to me had a toddler with her. The kid was well-behaved for the most part, but this was definitely not a movie for the kids. I worried for that kid to have such a selfish parent like that. :(

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I see little kids at rated R movies all the time. :(

[zorichan.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah a family member's coworker was bragging about taking her 2 year old to see The Exorcism of Emily Rose...and yeah wow...great movie for a kid. 0.0;;

[aimeekitty.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of people do it to avoid having to pay a babysitter,... but to brag about it?

[zorichan.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there are a lot of people at her job that make you *facepalm* with the things they do and say.

[taperkat.livejournal.com]

http://www.warrentheatres.com/

This is one nice caveat of living in Kansas where I do. This is the main very nice 3d theater chain in Wichita. I've been going there since it opened in 96, friends worked there in high school.

they WILL, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, ALLOW CELL PHONES. and they DO EJECT YOUR SORRY ASS SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO USE ONE.

there was SRO the other night when I saw Alice and nary ONE cell phone, idiot, or crying kid within 4 rows or 10 seats from me. They have cry rooms that are soundproof so people with kids can still see the movie but we can't hear the little children whining.

(also they put out half price coupons for the rest of this month so GUESS WHO'S SEEING ALICE AGAIN MAYBE ME BECAUSE CAT > ALL)

[uminomamori.livejournal.com]

Er....glad I live in MN :)

But my mom has had to deal with students who were awful, whose parents blamed her or refused to believe their kids could do anything wrong. I remember one of them was even another teacher in the same school.

[usagi-moon.livejournal.com]

WE live in a society where people are not expected to take responsibility for themselves, it's their world and they let us live in it. :(

All we can do is ourselves be polite and courteous to one another and not lower ourselves to the stupid that seems to have taken over a lot of people.

[jadewik.livejournal.com]

It's not just the movies-- it's every day life.

I actually called the police last Thursday to report some moron for reckless driving. When I say reckless, I'm not talking a one instance of driving stupidity... I'm talking about rush hour running red lights, swerving between lanes, cutting people off (to run red lights), getting in fist-of-fury fights and shouting matches with the passenger of another car and the whole thing happening over the course of several miles. WTF?! My hands were shaking so badly from adrenaline when I got home... and for what? Because some punk kid wanted to get to the next red light 2.5 seconds faster? ... to show off his driving "skills" to his non-existent passenger? How many lives did he endanger with his stupidity and inconsideration?

I've also noticed the decline with common sense, respect and consideration for others with each passing generation. These days, it's all about "me". Is it too sadistic of me to hope that eventually all the "me" people will kill each other off (instead of the innocent)?

[slave-to-anime.livejournal.com]

I think I've suddenly got a bit of a nervous twitch at the idea of someone stabbing me in the neck with a meat thermometer. D:

[padawansguide.livejournal.com]

I have no words for this. :-(

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

OMG. That's totally crazy!

I just saw Shutter Island today at the Alamo (a theater chain with a restaurant and most theaters in Texas) and noticed that they have a policy where you can wave down a server and the server will silence or EVICT the disruptive person.

I know several mom's who take their pre-schoolers to exceedingly inappropriate R rated movies who think nothing of it and look at me as a right-wing freak for not letting my 6 and 9 year olds watch PG-13 movies.

[sarahbellem.livejournal.com]

The thought of you being a right-wing freak is HILARIOUS.

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

;D

cell phone in theater

[(Anonymous)]

First off, I am glad that your husband and you are safe.
Second,I worked in a theater for 5 years, and situations like that happen more often than are reported.
Many times, management must be notified of any complaints, and they have the authority to get the police involved.
I am also a believer in Karma. Almost every major religion has a
belief in Divine retribution. People just aren't aware that their actions can come back and bite them on the ass.
A little advice- should it happen again, go straight to the management,let them know the situation, and then tell them you will
be spending your money elsewhere. Besides, mainly these days, no movie is worth getting killed over. Take care. Ex Fede Fortis!

[taeha.livejournal.com]

This is why I hardly ever go out to the movies anymore. People are nuts and rude, also.

[phavorianne.livejournal.com]

OMG I agree so much with that last paragraph of yours. Physical wrongs are occurring way too often in such petty situations, but at least it's obvious that it's wrong. Nowadays it seems like people are letting behavioral wrongs run rampant, too! Except you can't arrest someone for saying mean things to someone else.

[larasgirl.livejournal.com]

This type of thing is becoming too common in our society. It's really sad -and scary. Just last night my husband and I had a negative experience with a nasty, rude person at Target.

[mamoru-kun09.livejournal.com]

I totally hear yah :(. Since when did asking someone to please stop doing something that's against the rules become a reason to get stabbed :(?