Movie Etiquette for Teens

The Nielsen Company credits teens with being responsible for about 15 percent of U,S. movie ticket sales in 2012, which makes 13- to 18-year-olds responsible for a fair chunk of filled seats in front of the the almost 40,000 screens recognized by the Motion Picture Association of America. With so many teens at the movies, some simple guidelines should be followed by them to help ensure a positive experience for the remaining 85 percent of viewers.

  1. Clothing

    • Whether a teen likes top hats or studded bracelets, he should remove or adjust any clothing that could block or poke another movie-goer before the movie starts. A teen who has the creativity and motivation to wear a costume to go to a movie should know that this rule applies to those types of outfits as well; costume pieces can be put back on after the movie is over.

    Talking and Cell Phones

    • Though it can be tempting to interact with friends during a movie, teens should reign in that impulse. Talking should be limited to whispers that are short and discreet, and cell phones should be turned off or set to "silent." Teens should avoid text messaging, web browsing, or other uses of their phone that cause the screen to light up. Reactions to scenes in the movie should also be muted, without loud guffaws, screams, jumping up and down or other disruptive behavior.

    Sitting

    • Sitting may seem like a fairly simple task, but it can be difficult for restless teens. Teens should not kick or push their legs or feet into the backs of the chairs in front of them, and roughhousing or pushing games should be discouraged and should not take place during the movie at all. It may be tempting to cuddle or show other forms of affection while the movie is playing, but this can block the view of the people seated behind affectionate teens.

    Snacks and Drinks

    • While snacking and drinking can be a necessity for some teens during a movie, food and drink can be a distraction to other moviegoers. Candy should be opened before the movie starts to lessen the crinkling of wrappers, and teens should avoid smacking their lips or crunching loudly. Throwing popcorn or other food at friends or other moviegoers is another no-no, as is loudly sucking the last remnants of a drink or repeatedly rattling the remaining ice cubes in a cup.

    2. Previous:

    Next: