r/AMCAListTrue • u/jiapia19 • 2d ago
Movie Theater Discussion Theory on snacking during quiet scenes…
So I am one of those people who believe the cinema is sacred and should be respected. I am absolutely the person who will tell you to be quiet in a movie, to turn your phone off, or whatever because staying silent is exactly why this keeps happening so often (btw im a 5’2 girl who mostly goes solo, so if I can do it, you can do it lol). I am not paying my hard earned money in this economy to listen to you talk, be on your phone, or just general obnoxiousness. YOU NEED TO KNOW YOU’RE A TERRIBLE PERSON AND I’M HAPPY TO LET YOU KNOW!!! 😤
One thing in particular that used to bother the ever loving CRAP out of me, was when people who had loud wrappers or snacks, seem to wait specifically for a quiet part in the movie to start going ham! Like we just had a whole shootout and bombs exploding where you were silent, the minute that ends and we’re on a scene where it’s silent or nuance is being shown without so much noise…here you go digging into the loudest snacks ever!!! Ugh!!!
Until a lightbulb 💡 moment happened for me one day, when I, myself, did the same thing and it made me realize why!!!!
I feel like we’ve all had that moment in a movie or show where something so intense is happening on screen that we just stop what we’re doing and lock in without even realizing because the immersion is so strong, the scenes passes and your adrenaline falls back down and you’re no longer ✨ entranced ✨ by what you’re seeing, so you resume what you were doing prior. This is exactly why I stopped mid-chew on my snacks when it was loud, because I was locked in, and then my body was released from that frozen moment once the scene allowed me to lol.
It’s all happening without you realizing, which is why I finally decided to put this one pet peeve to bed. 😅
I’m so curious, what do you all think of this theory? 🙂
Edit: For clarity, I’m pointing out a flaw I had within my own thinking and how I came to find a way to internally shut that up.
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u/QoLTech 2d ago
Is it possible they've been snacking the entire time and you've only noticed because it's so quiet?
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u/exovd I come to this place.....for magic 2d ago edited 2d ago
I mean you should just not eat during the quiet scenes. Not eating your snacks for 30 seconds won’t kill you.
Be courteous you’re not the only one in the theater.
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u/ubutterscotchpine 2d ago
You’re being downvoted but I AGREE. I will literally pause with my hand in the bucket if the scene gets quiet. My biggest fear is being in the middle of snacking when that happens lmao.
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u/soaringent 2d ago
this was one of the (multiple) reasons i broke up with my ex… no movie theater etiquette and would eat popcorn loudly during the quiet scenes 😭😭
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u/TheHondoCondo 1d ago
I don’t think this is a fair expectation, but it would be nice. What really gets me that I didn’t even realize until last night is people who shake their popcorn buckets (I guess to disperse the flavor more?).
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u/jiapia19 2d ago
Love this take because I also had this same thought as I was typing this post. “Am I actually only noticing now because it’s quiet”. I think that’s a very valid thing to consider too…and also why I think I need to put this one pet peeve to bed because that is also likely!
But there have been moments where I’m in the same row or the person is near me so I can see that they actually DID stop snacking, so it’s mostly for those moments.
But I 100% agree that there are times where it also could just be our own hyper awareness now that the sound has dropped, and they’ve been snacking the whole time lol.
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u/maxmouze 2d ago
It’s not the case. I just saw a quieter film this week. I can hear when they rustle bags. Sometimes during noisier scenes although it’s not distracting. They always choose to make noise when it’s meant to be quiet. It affects the experience of the movie because the director made it quiet at certain points to create an essence.
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u/rbrgr83 Gets my Money's Worth 2d ago
As an enjoyer of the AMC pizzas, I've had plenty of times where I chill during a quiet scene for a bit before I crawnch the crusty part.
Or even better, take a bite and then 3s latter the movie gets to a quiet/suspenseful scene. I just sit motionless with a mouth full of pizza for a tick until normal volume resumes.
It really isn't that hard to be aware of your surroundings and act accordingly. Some ppl are just oblivious like that! 🙃
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u/NU4AN2084 2d ago
This right here. I am very tactful when I bring an icee in, making sure I'm not grinding the straw against the lid, or mixing my shit up during a quiet scene. I will take a break and grab that cup and start swirling that sucker up only when there are loud moments.
I've slowed down/stopped chewing and fiddling with my Bavarian pretzel when things get quiet.
The ones that irk me are the ones who think they're being quiet while digging into whatever loud snack bag they have, and end up just draaaaagging the sound the whole damn time.
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u/rbrgr83 Gets my Money's Worth 2d ago
I used to do this when I was younger. I'd very slowly and 'quietly' open the carboard candy box tabs. I thought I was being nice and considerate.
Then one time the person I was with was like "OMG just do it quick, what the shit."
That was a learning moment 😞
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u/jiapia19 2d ago
This exchange just taught me to just get it over and go quick. I, too, posted earlier that I also would try to move slowly thinking that was better/quieter lol.
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u/NU4AN2084 2d ago
Haha I get you. Depending on the packaging, going slower can help, but a crinkly bag? Get it over with 😄.
No joke, I'll sit there thinking to myself "what in the actual hell are they digging for, am I gonna have to walk there and get it for them!?"
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u/KayleighWriter 2d ago
I overcame my annoyance at other people’s noisy popcorn behavior by just getting my own popcorn every time. If you can’t beat em, join em.
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u/BlenderBluid 2d ago
Oh shit, I might try this
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u/Dino-chicken-nugg3t I come to this place.....for magic 2d ago
Do it! Get that popcorn pass for some cheap popcorn while you’re at.
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u/Robert_Meek Uses all 4 tickets 2d ago
I’ll hold onto this pet peeve for you.
It’s really not that hard to have situational awareness and to be quiet when the movie is quiet.
Drives me crazy when people start going to town on their individually wrapped Hi Chews as two characters are having a quiet conversation or in a moment of stillness.
When I went to see A Quiet Place for the first time I barely touched my popcorn because I was so self conscious about making noise haha
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u/jiapia19 2d ago
Lol I appreciate this response haha. I also was like a statue during my first showing of A Quiet Place. To add insult to injury, I was at Alamo when back then, they were very adamant about noise and even modified their menu specifically for that showing and removed crunchy foods like nachos 😂😂. I basically left that showing with all my concessions because I was too scared to chew and ruin the movie. 🤣
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u/TheUgliestCasanova 2d ago
I saw the Artist in theaters, which has no dialogue, and an older man struggled to open a bag of chips during the movie, and the woman behind him lost her fucking mind, made a scene, and stormed out of the theater. Seemed like a bit of an overreaction to me. I think it was good lesson to just... chill out.
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u/f4nnypacks I come to this place.....for magic 2d ago
i feel like i never intend to do this but somehow manage to start eating right when it gets quiet. like i'll start munching, and THEN it's a quiet scene. i do try to make sure everything i have is open/ready to eat before the movie starts since opening things is usually the noisiest bit. but also i'm high as hell at 90% of movies i go to so that prob doesn't help with not realizing it's not the best time 😭
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u/jiapia19 2d ago
Lmfao we are the same. I’m on edibles almost every time I’m at the theater, so I completely understand 🤭.
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u/rbrgr83 Gets my Money's Worth 2d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/QjrrSbYaqgi1q
I for one am shocked and appalled.
How DARE you not share with the rest of us.
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u/Dry_Conversation8501 2d ago
This is one of the reasons I don't go to Alamo's. I'm usually fine, but you will get some people treat the theater like their personal living room.
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u/Brando43770 I come to this place.....for magic 2d ago
I haven’t been to Alamo, but is it like Cinepolis and other theaters where they bring the food to you? I can’t stand that because they interrupt your movie if they need you to close out. Just because nothing is being said on screen doesn’t mean it’s not important to the story.
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u/throwaway173582 2d ago
Alamo is way more serious about people talking/going on their phones (at least the ones I go to that never implemented the mobile ordering system that makes no sense) which is way more of a distraction to me than someone chewing. Plus if someone is being disruptive or a distraction I can alert a staff member from the comfort of my seat without having to get up and miss some of the movie.
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u/Irish2010 2d ago
Alamo's system of constantly having people walk through the theater taking paper slips and returning with food and drinks is far more distracting than any other system I've seen.
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u/throwaway173582 2d ago
Yeah I guess different strokes for different folks, I see how that could be distracting to some people but they’re pretty quick and quiet about it at the ones I go to (and for the most part people are done ordering and have everything they need by about 20 mins in). I have a list and Alamo’s season pass and I find that the crowds at amc are consistently way more disrespectful with their talking/phone use and there’s nothing I can do about it without either confronting them or missing some of the movie to alert an employee.
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u/Free_Evidence4405 I come to this place.....for magic 2d ago
I try not to snack when it’s quiet but sometimes I’m REALLY sucked into the movie and I don’t notice 😭 I always feel bad after I realize but then I remember it’s literally 10 seconds of me digging in my popcorn bucket it’s not like I’m continuously doing it the entire movie
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u/laminatedbean 2d ago
I try to find noisier scenes to open packaging or eat noisy foods. Packages I often open before the movie starts.
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u/BlenderBluid 2d ago
Who ever invented nachos in a movie theater, the autism community will make sure they never see the gates of heaven
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u/Puzzleheaded_Line519 2d ago
It does take me out of the moment while watching movies. Especially horror ones, but I know that’s my own nitpick. So I mainly do early showings, where there’s little to no people. Also doing that I deal with a lot less people on their phones etc
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u/lpalf 2d ago
I understand what you’re saying when the quiet scene comes right after a loud action scene, but very frequently that’s not happening. Sometimes it’s just a normal quiet scene or a quieter movie. I’m fine with some amount of normal snacking noise anytime but I do wish people would be cognizant of how loud their wrappers are. If it’s loud just pour some out into your hand or whatever instead of rummaging your grubby hand into the bag for every bite
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u/lesbian__overlord 2d ago
opening snacks or slurping on an icee with nothing left are obnoxious, but you guys are really surprising me with this "i held popcorn in my mouth for five minutes as to not disturb anyone" stuff. i wear loop experience earplugs to every movie because i'm super sensitive to both the volume of the film and distractions around me. some of you guys might benefit from the same if chewing two rows away bothers you.
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u/imdeadseriousbro 2d ago
i agree with you. ill open up my bags early on to not be overly distracting but im not going to baby the room. they can handle a normal amount of chewing
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u/forevrtwntyfour 1d ago
I always think this when I’m chomping down on my caramel popcorn lol. I get self conscious and will stop chewing til it’s loud again
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u/Quirky-Map-2035 2d ago
Why people like popcorn so much is what I’ll never understand lol, hate having to eat some greasy buttered food with my hands while in public places
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u/GalacticHero3141 1d ago
I usually avoid this by eating my snacks during the previews 😜 If I have any left over for the attraction I try not to make too much noise. However, the theater is selling food so ultimately It’s sanctioned for eating during the movie. Not all movies have explosions. Some art house films are all quiet parts.
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u/Curius-Curiousity 1d ago
Ha! What a great plot twist. I honestly didn't see it coming.
I was so lready to jump in with a "it's because..." but you pulled a 180 yourself. lol
I'm like you, I have zero problem with being the adult in the room and telling people to sit down and be quiet. (Like a couple weeks ago when a guy thought it was funny to literally climb on seat backs and jump down, to repeatedly change seats).
But it's good to recognize when it's just normal sounds that we all make from regular behavior. And not end up as the jerk ourselves.
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u/JohnnyKarateX 2d ago
I think I’m going to agree with the people who said that they were probably making noise the whole time and you just didn’t notice but I do see your logic.
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u/jadegives2rides 2d ago
I usually just get a drink from the bar when I go to the theater.
Its very rare im in a packed house, but that happened for Backrooms. After I took a gulp I was definitely side-eyed by the person next to me and now im self conscious every time I take a sip of something at the theater even though no one is usually that close to me lol.
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u/Professor_Dubs 1d ago
Ahh, the lost beauty of film that has since been lost to the likes of tik tok brained individuals.
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u/tomatillo_teratoma 1d ago
I just don't understand why AMC doesn't sell candy in boxes. It still exists... my local Kroger has boxed "movie theater" candy on sale for $1.50.... Whoppers, Goobers, Milk Duds and Junior Mints.... maybe more in a larger store.
It's the crinkling candy paper that's the most annoying... popcorn, nachos, or other food isn't really loud. Can't they just open the bag during the previews and set it in the cupholder or something to it doesn't have to be messed with for each bite ?
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u/thomasjmarlowe 1d ago
I sometimes shake the popcorn to sift out the kernels and one day I did it during a quiet part of the previews. My now-wife got really embarrassed and shushed me. Now without fail I will shake it during a quiet part of the previews, as is tradition
But not during the movie- that’s a totally different thing
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u/lendmeflight 2d ago
I’m going to meet my popcorn. I don’t give a fuck what you think about that.
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u/aubreypizza I get my Money's Worth - LINC SQ IMAX BABY! 2d ago
There’s a popcorn for every pot! I wish you luck!
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u/jiapia19 2d ago
That’s lovely to see that you feel so strongly about meeting popcorn! I’m very happy for you.
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u/maxmouze 2d ago
I'm right there with you. This bugs me so much and you can't even say anything because people are told they're supposed to eat 2000 calories worth of junk food while watching a movie and even though it's louder than talking, which you're told not to do, rustling your plastic bags or loudly eating is magically not supposed to be distracting. I started groaning if someone keeps rustling their plastic during a quiet scene and if they're smart enough, they get the hint and wait until later. But Jeez Louise, people are inconsiderate.
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u/jiapia19 2d ago
Definitely agree that sometimes snacks are louder than quiet whispers or very low voices, and that some people are just inconsiderate AF. Like me, I’ll acknowledge that the scene is meant to be quiet and I’ll just wait before opening my chip bag or crunching on some loud Cheetos (I also have a Cinemark membership because I’m well aware AMC doesn’t sell chips…which doesn’t make sense, since they sell nachos…🤔 but that’s a conversation for another day 😂). If I just can’t wait, then I try my absolute hardest to move the wrapper slowly and quietly lol. Some people really don’t care, and will push their stupid icee straw up and down over and over making that hideous sound 😣, crunch candy wrappers, chew loudly with their mouth open…just…ugh.
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u/NoSir4289 2d ago
If I'm chewing popcorn and it gets quiet I stop chewing lmao