Should Theaters Provide Free Wi-Fi For Its Guests?

[dramamama611]

Which is what has been done forever! ^

[nasty_khakis]

Do people not realize they live theatre happened for over 100 years without cell phones??? Parents left their kids with a sitter, Doctors took a couple of hours off, people didn't talk to their friends for hours at a time. If an emergency happens, people can call 911 from a land line like they did every year up until around 10 years ago.

It's NOT a big deal to block a phone. Just post a sign saying your phone won't work in the theatre. These jammers should not be illegal in theatres or schools.

[winston89]

^^^

Find me a public landline anywhere. There aren't anymore. Pay phone have pretty much gone the way of the dodo due to there being cell phones.

If you put cell phone blockers in theatres, people will not come. The reason why theatre owners are willing to put up with cell phones in the theatre are because the people who are playing with their cell phones are also the same people who are paying top price and buying five dollar coke at the bar. Why would they do something that would prevent them from making more money? The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

No, of course not.

Do you have an opinion on the subject yourself, OP? Or did you just want to drop your bomb and sit back? Is there a reason you ask? Is this something that's being mooted?

[TheatreFan4]

Just FYI Cell Phone blockers block more than just cell phones. Is it ridiculous for people to be on the phone during a show? Of course, but you shouldn't punish everyone in attendance for a few people's douchebaggery. People keep talking about taking a few hours off well if your kid is with a sitter and hits his head and has to be taken to the hospital you have no idea what the hell is going on and those doctors can't do anything without your consent.

Encouraging those to turn the brightness on their screens down is much better & put it on vibrate. It is possible and is a big help. Actually having staff DO something about being on the phone, or having the brightness & volume up? "If you're on your phone or texting constantly in the auditorium, you will be removed without refund."

[broadwaydevil]

This has become incredibly off topic (mostly because the original topic was so bizarre) but vibrate can be just as annoying, especially when it's audible and people don't feel the need to shut it since "it's only vibrate." Cell phones should be turned off (not even on silent so as to ensure people aren't tempted to check in.)

[ghostlight2]

"Do you have an opinion on the subject yourself, OP? Or did you just want to drop your bomb and sit back?"

You got it in one, Jay Lerner-Z. A quick review of OP's history will show that he does this with some frequency, and has campaigned for twittering while in the theater. I'm thinking just trolling.

[nasty_khakis]

I get what you're saying, but there are land lines in theatres. I've seen them backstage and in box offices.

[TheatreFan4]

Cell phones should be turned off (not even on silent so as to ensure people aren't tempted to check in.)

I don't agree. There are many reasons to keep your phone and need to check it. There are ways of doing so without annoying those around you. Covering the screen with your hand.

[ghostlight2]

"There are many reasons to keep your phone and need to check it"

Name one. Name just one good reason that you need to check your phone during a show. I'll guarantee that if you check your phone while sitting next to me, I will notice it. It probably won't bother me much because I'm not easily distracted, but I'll notice, and if you do it more than once (when you shouldn't be doing it at all), we will have words.

[dramamama611]

If there is something so monumental happening in your life that you NEED to check your phone more than every hour (pre-show, interval, end of show) then you shouldn't go to the theater that night.

Your desire to check your phone has no right to interfere with my enjoyment of the show. And as I suffer from ADHD -- I'm sure to see it unless you are behind me.

What do you think people did before cell phones were common place? (And kids being babysat weren't dying left and right)

[TheatreFan4]

Your kid's under the weather and is with the sitter. You check every half aware to make sure the sitter hasn't texted you an update on if they're doing any worse.

And for people who honestly believe this is modern thing, do you really believe that people didn't carry pagers with them to shows for this reason?

If you see the phone, chill the hell out. As long as they're not being obvious and obnoxious with it then who gives a ****. Got a problem, take it up with an usher. It's not your job to police an audience. Ask nicely and I'm sure they'll try to be more discreet. Would you prefer them shuffling through the aisle 4 times during a show?

[nasty_khakis]

Pagers? You realize people went to the theatre for 100 years before the late 1980s, right?

Seriously, there is NEVER ANY reason to pull out a phone in a theatre (I even yell at people in movies, but that's another topic). If my child were ill, my father were in the hospital, etc and I was worried enough to have to pull out my phone constantly I wouldn't go to the theatre. People are too entitled now and every one feels like they need to know everything at all times.

[dramamama611]

Thank goodness, I was never a paranoid parent. If you are that worried that your kid is THAT sick -- then you don't go out.

How long do you think PAGERS were around? And they were never the phenomenon phones are.

Oy.

[Johnnycantdecide]

TheatreFan4, getting seated next to people like you is one of the reasons I'm weary everytime I go into a theatre.

[TheatreFan4]

You and your husband spend over $200 on tickets to a show and your child gets sick. As you know, they don't do refunds. You check once and a while, NOT constantly. People who check constantly are self obsessed ass holes who need to tweet. Want to report them to the staff? Have at it! Somebody who has their phone on their lap and checks to see if they have a message from the sitter every half hour trying to avoid disturbing those around them I REALLY do not see the big deal about that.

Entitled to what exactly? To check to make sure the kid is okay?

[ghostlight2]

"You and your husband spend over $200 on tickets to a show and your child gets sick. As you know, they don't do refunds."

Ridiculous example. If my kid were SO sick that I had to check every half hour to see how they were doing, I'd give up those seats in a heartbeat to be with the kid and take my chances with past dating them later. The kid would be the priority if they are that ill.

Try again.

[dramamama611]

And how do we know the difference between the two? Should I ASK the person sitting next to me about their personal business?

YOUR rights only go so far until they interfere with mine. YOUR checking your phone every 1/2 hour interferes with the money I'VE spent and therefore is wrong.

Again: cell phones are a relatively new phenomenon -- it is the USER that needs to get over it.

[nasty_khakis]

Not to be rude, but may I ask how old you are? Not that younger people are dumber, but there IS a difference in how people are raised now. People now feel like their life is the most important, their worries are top priority, etc. Checking the phone ONCE during a show is rude, period. If your child is sick enough that it will turn life and death from 8 until 9:15 then NO YOU SHOULDN'T LEAVE THEM. I seriously worry about you if you ever become a parent. "Honey, I know you're having surgery but Daddy spent "$400 on Book of Mormon tickets!"

You can look at your phone at 7:59. You can check for messages/call and check in at 9:15 (or whenever intermission is, obviously), and again at 10:30. To do so any time in between sends a CLEAR message that whatever you are doing is far more important than what everyone around you is doing. And yes, I can see your phone even if you cover it with your hand. It's RUDE to the actors on stage (who can also see your rude self by the way). It is incredible selfish, and yes, entitled, to look at your phone during a performance.

[AEA AGMA SM]

I will say that there are times when I'm working on a show and have lost communication with the crew or front of house staff for one reason or another and we had to rely on our phones to continue communicating and running the show. Yes, we could, in theory, turn off these cell phone jammers that everyone wants installed, but depending on the size of the crew and where everyone is located, as well as where these devices were located (I have no idea how they work or what their range is), that could mean quite the run around to try to make that happen.

Wireless technology, from dimmers to automation and beyond, is also appearing more and more in bigger shows. I would imagine that a device that can jam a cell phone signal could also pose a potential problem for these technologies.

I'd love if there was an easy solution to the cell phone problem we have, but the best we can really do at this point is keep pushing audience education on the issue and try to make people take personal responsibility in turning their devices off and paying attention.

And, like others have said, if you are that worried about your child who is apparently at death's door then I have no idea why you are at the theatre and not with that child. And if you are a doctor, plan in advance, get an aisle seat near the back of the house so that if you do get an emergency call you can get up and take it somewhere where you will disturb as few of your fellow audience members as possible (and I would hope that most doctors are smart enough to pick their seats with that in mind and are not getting seats front row center).

[TheatreFan4]

I'm almost 21.

I seriously worry about you if you ever become a parent.

For one, f*** you. Two, I don't want kids, but if my kid had the flu then yeah I'd go to the theatre anyway. What about if the kid falls and gets hurt while you're not there? Is getting a buzz on your phone anymore annoying than having an usher come to your seat and telling you that you have a call in the lobby?

Honestly people need to get the stick out of their asses. It's not the days you pine for in the 60s anymore where the theatre was silent. DEAL WITH IT because it is not going to change. Phones maybe annoying, but most shows are even louder & brighter.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

I wasn't even alive in the 60s and I wish something could be done about dicks on their phones in a theatre.

[dramamama611]

Ah, more proof that good manners are never droll.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Anyone who feels the need to be on the phone in a theatre needs to get the **** out. Do you realize you are not the only one there. Any kind of light or noise can snap the atmosphere the actors are trying to create. Do you really think your concern is important enough to ruin an experience for a thousand people and possibly distract the actors from what they are doing?

[everythingtaboo]

Covering the screen with your hand.

Just as useless and irritating as the vibrate. In a pitch black audience, and form of light is going to register, no matter how brief or faint.

It's a shame we live in a world where people are always trying to find "an out" to annoying behavior.

[Wynbish]

Is getting a buzz on your phone anymore annoying than having an usher come to your seat and telling you that you have a call in the lobby?

Yes, but an usher doesn't come get you when a friend calls or texts just to say, "What's up? I'm bored."