by Eric Maynes

Created on: May 21, 2008

Okay, you've made it. Traffic was something less than desired, and sure you flipped that guy off but it was only fair after he was riding your bumper, right? Now you stand in the air conditioned lobby that smells off popcorn and nachos. You promise yourself not to spend any money on refreshments, since you have determined the are marked up by about 600%. You're ready to enjoy your movie, after all, you have been wanting to see it since you laid eyes on the preview, and here you are on the premier day.

Now you sit in your seat. The air conditioning that felt refreshing at first now grows cold. It doesn't help when you sip your extra large soda, that you don't even seem to remember buying. Nonetheless, the very cold feeling only worsens as you drink up and listen to the chatter around you as the previews start up. You feel a little despaired that the chatter continues in the row behind you, but you tell yourself it's just the previews, and nothing can stand in your way from enjoying the great film you have been longing to see for months.

The movie has been on track with your expectations so far. Your lead character is getting ready for his first kiss with the damsel in distress, and right when that moment, that VERY moment the director worked so hard for, the moment the editors picked just the right music for, and one of the moments you paid your hard earned money for is about to happen... I mean right when the lips meet, juvenile snickers come from the row behind you, followed by snide comments that were not quite a whisper in the least. You sigh, take a deep breath, and chalk it as an isolated incident. .... But as you continue watching your movie, you realize, it's not..

What to do? turn around and make eye contact? That will show them right? After all they must not have the common sense to know they would disturb someone. What if your powerful look doesn't work, should you say something? That's a stronger gesture, but what if it starts a confrontation? Or what if it even makes matters worse? You could even just grit your teeth and ask for your money back at the end of the show, but won't it ruin the movie for you? And what if the manager don't even give you a refund?

It has happened to all of us movie goers at least once. I am normally quick to tell someone to shut up, or offer the "Ssssssshhhhh" as a sudden hint, but where do you readers draw the line? When do you take action, and when do you let it slide? You expect people to laugh during the movies sometimes, but not when the lead hero dies. So when is it that you have the right to turn to someone and tell them to shut up. After all, they are ruining your movie that YOU paid for, but then again, they also bought a ticket.

When is enough, in fact, enough?

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