Since 2014, I have been working at AMC theaters in downtown Boston. Now, nearly after two years, I'm finally free! Honestly I thought working at the movies was going to be so much fun. Working at the movie theaters had to be one of the most biggest headaches in my life. It's not because of the people on the inside (well management sometimes), but no, its actually the people form the outside known as "customers." Working at AMC, film crew has four jobs: concessions, ushering, greeter, and box office. I've worked all of these positions having the most enthusiastic smile while doing them. Below is a list of things that have happened to me while working box office.
1. Complaining for the price of a ticket.
Complaining about ticket prices is a waste of your time and breath. First of all, if you're complaining about the price, DON'T SEE THE MOVIE. It's as simple as that. Don't contradict yourself by complaining about the price for something and then buying it. Please, I could careless if you do or don't see the movie where Kevin Hart is literally playing Kevin Hart.
2. Asking "what movies are good".
The most asked question of 2016, #WhatMoviesAreGood?! Customers would asked me this all the time like I have nothing better to do with my life then watch all 16 movies that are playing. Even when I do try to suggest them a movie, there were times when they would shake their heads at me and just walk away to another employee and ask the same question.
3. Consistently messing up movie names.
Actually, people were good about this. They would tell me the movie, I would tell them the price, they pay, then are on their way. The line would actually flow smoothly until that one person would come up not knowing the title of the movie and then its a guessing game. What actor is in it? Oh, Matt Damon... there is no movie with Matt Damon.
4. Asking for my employee discount.
Believe it or not, this happened to me more than once. Mostly senior citizen aged people (65+) would come up to me and complain about their one dollar discount on tickets. "Oh my goodness. Are you trying to rob me! What kinda discount is this? Chris, this is like a slap in the face". Lady, please! I just work here, I don't make up the rules. If they were bold enough, they would proceed to ask for the employee discount. Most of you probably already know this but for those who don't, movie theater employees see movies for free. There is no discount. On the inside I would crack up laughing, but on the outside, I remained with the same cold face I've met them with.
5.Trying to bargain with me.
Once, this lady (shady, disorientated, wearing a crop top with her belly hanging out) came up to me and asked for a ticket to see The Revenant. I told her it was going to be $13.99 and she just looked at me with the most sorrowful face. She took five dollars and five cigarettes and placed it on the table saying if I could make it work. Last time I checked, cigarettes were not apart of the U.S currency.
6. Getting mad when I ask if a person is a senior.
I really don't get this one at all. I don't if its a pride thing but when I ask if someone is a senior or not they get really offensive about it. Often they would ask "Do I look like a senior?" Well, duh if I asked the question in the first place. Seniors get a discount so if you don't want to take advantage of the opportunity I have bestowed upon you to save one dollar then so be it.
7. Underage kids trying to buy rated "R" tickets.
Kids at the age of 13 come up to me asking to see a rated-R movie and I just sit there looking at them like, are you stupid or something? No ID, no R-rated movie. What happened to the good ole buy a ticket to a PG-rated movie and sneak into the R-rated one?
8. Refunds
This was a pain to do. I understand that things pop up and you got to go, but don't come up to me saying the movie sucks and you want your money back. You should have checked rotten tomatoes before paying to see it.
9. Parents bringing kids to see rated R movies
My friend Cameron and I went go see the pre-showing of Deadpool on the Thursday before it opened in Imax. We have been waiting to see this movie for a long time. As the theater filled up with hardcore Deadpool and Ryan Reynolds fans, this mother with her two elementary school children walked in and sat right in front of us. Why? I don't know. Maybe she thought this was a Disney Marvel movie or something but she ended up covering their eyes through most of the violent parts and the sex montage. Nice waste on thirty-two dollars.
10. No one ever uses the self service machine.
Look, everyone hates lines. That's why we have these Kiosks so you don't have to deal with my face. Especially when everyone and their mother wants to see the new Star Wars movie on opening night. These devices come in handy if you want the slim possibility of grabbing a seat.
