Worst Theatre Experience — Page 2

"At intermission, the lady behind me taps me on the shoulders and asks me not to sit like I'm sitting because it makes it harder for her to see, and she paid good money for her seats. So, attempting to be a good human being, I comply and sit straight up. Needless to say, I'm uncomfortable..."

The STORY of my LIFE! I'm 6'5 so this is a regular occurrence for me. Though I would never ask the massive woman next to me to please take her fold of flab off the armrest, or at least off of ME and ONTO the armrest, SHE has no problem telling ME exactly HOW to sit! The sheer NERVE that some of these people have...

Just because we are BORN tall we are supposed to be like human accordions and just bend in any direction (and remain relatively comfortable to boot)? As if it weren't bad enough that there is NO legroom whatsoever (and I'm all legs)... But obese people are just "accepted" because they "can't change"... so because I CAN lean forward on my knees, or sit back in my chair straight up, I SHOULD whereas you CANNOT magically take up LESS space or move your OWN mass off of my seat because you chose to be massively obese? Since I'm not carrying around an extra 100 lbs around the middle maybe they're jealous they too can't lean forward onto their knees? And the whole argument that you block too many people is bull because I get more complaints if I sit up straight. And NO, slouching isn't cool. It's not MY fault YOU were born short. Tall people take WAY too much crap from short and/or fat people and the world is only getting taller with each generation, so the shorties and fatties better get used to it or change the seats/theatres.

I haven't expressed this very eloquently, but tall people know what I'm talking about. TOTAL double standard with fat/tall people in theatre seats: one would NEVER call it "rude" or "inconsiderate" to tell a tall person to sit back, but tell a big boat to reign in the masts and it's virtual PC bedlam...

P

Updated On: 9/19/09 at 04:44 PM

Worst audience experience ever? The second time I saw the Les Miz revival, I was sitting in front of a trio of ladies in their 70s who hadn't seen the show since "that guy... Terrence something was Javert..."

They brought a box of chocolates, unwrapped it, passed it around and talked the whole time. I shushed them several times, they MADE FUN OF ME during intermission, but then kept most of Act 2 quiet.

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Updated On: 9/19/09 at 04:59 PM

What is it with this board and reading comprehension issues?

It IS NOT tall people that are the problem. It is people OF ALL SIZES who decide to lean forward. Your height in those instances is completely beside the point. Someone who is 5'5" and leans forwards blocks the view for those behind them just the same as someone who is 6'5".

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My worst theare experience, eh?

Unfortunately, my recollection isn't all that crisp anymore, but I can recall ONE incident that happened this past season. I think I was seeing GODOT. Had a seat in the front of the house, and enjoyed it very much. Anyway, let's fast-forward a bit. See, I'm 'a clapper' - When I'm laughing at something hard enough, I'll applaud the comedic efforts accordingly. Irwin and Lane were doing a gag, and I in turn, appreciated it. I'm clapping, when all of the sudden, the woman seated next to me *GRABS* my wrist, and pulls it down. Continuing to shoot glances my way throughout the rest of the show. I was absolutely dumbfounded. Didn't know WTF she was on, but I found that extremely rude. Invasion of personal space? Or am I just looking too deep into it? I'm sorry for 'enjoying' myself at the theater, lady, y'know? Weird.

I think my point got lost in my rantiness. Tall people have my sympathies, as long as they are not obnoxious as well as tall. Obnoxious behaviour includes LEANING FORWARD, and sitting up just as straight and tall and proud as they possibly can, goshdarnit!. I admit asking you to concertina yourselves is unfair, which is why I said slouch. It's not the same thing, and you know. And finally, as a last resort, if you are the sort of audience member who will be going out of their way to block the views of people behind you, then you should make allowances for your selfish behaviour. Tall people can sit where they like. Tall - and, indeed, average and short - people who like to sway like they're on a kayaking holiday can bite me.

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"What is it with this board and reading comprehension issues?"
I understand that the discussion was about people of all sizes leaning because anyone can obstruct a view by leaning. I was personally replying to Pgenre's and Weez's posts.

Weez said " If you're THAT TALL that you know you will ALWAYS block someone else's view, then don't you think it's your responsibility to consider that when booking your ticket? There's back rows, boxes, aisle seats, all sorts of places where being tall doesn't have to inhibit the enjoyment of those around you. " That is what I was referring to when I said that just because I'm tall shouldn't mean I should compromise my enjoyment of the show by sitting in the back. However, I do sympathize with those behind me, but as I said I try to make its as easy as possible by sitting as still as possible.

So that is what I was referring to trombonist, not your comments about leaning.

Ok, ok. I'm sorry rich.hanson59.