When I turned 16, I got my first job at a local movie theater. I have been there for almost four years. Since I have been there for so long, you can definitely assume it is has been a very enjoyable experience. People always ask me about my job and never realize the number of complaints we have to deal with day in and day out.
Most people think it is a lot of fun, and everyone is happy there. And it is a lot of fun to work there, but we get a lot more complaints than you think. Here are some wishes from your average movie theater employee that will make their day a little brighter.
1. Please don't complain about popcorn or pretzels being stale and inedible as you are eating them in front of us. We know you just want more.
2. Please don't stand outside waiting for us to open. We open 30 minutes before the first show time to begin with. You will get a good seat and fresh snacks, I promise.
3. Please don't complain about our prices. The only money we make is on the concessions. We also hear that complaint at least 20 times in a shift and getting blamed for the prices gets really old.
4. Please don't throw your money at me after being shocked of the prices. Better yet, don't throw your money at me at all. I have a hand, and I probably reached it out to accept your money, please put it there. I'm sure your grocery bill shocks you too, but you don't throw your money at the cashier do you?
5. Please don't get mad at us when we ID you. If you look under 25, we have to ID you. We are just doing our job.
6. Please don't get mad when we don't let you buy more than one R-rated movie ticket if you're not 21. We have to ID you and your friend. And parents, please do not come in with your child and demand we sell your child a ticket to the movie. Unless you are seeing the movie with them, then it is a no go. Again, we are just doing our job.
7. Please don't get mad at us when we can't sell you a ticket 20 minutes after showtime. It's not our fault you're late, and allowing you in would disrupt others.
8. Please don't leave your trash on top of the trash can. Please just take the extra step and throw it out.
9. Please don't try to get a refund for your movie after the movie ended. I know the person next to you was obnoxious and talking the whole time, but you should've told us during the movie. We would've been happy to go in and take care of it for you.
10. Please don't come up to my line and stare at the menu for what seems like ages just to not know what you want. There's a good chance there's an entire line of people behind you giving me a death stare.
11. Please don't get mad at us when we don't know every actor in every movie or if we don't know what every movie is about. We try our best, but we're not going to know everything, and we don't have to.
12. Please don't try to sneak into a movie. We know all the tricks of the trade, and you definitely will be seeing that kids movie you actually bought tickets for.
13. Please clean up after yourselves. I know some of you think we have professional cleaners that come in after each film, and I know the other half of you believe that it is our job to clean up after you. Truth is we clean each theater after a movie plays. So please don't dump your entire popcorn on the ground.
14. Please don't get offended if I think you're old enough for the senior discount. It makes things super awkward when you ask why the prices were so low, and I have to say that I gave you the senior discount.
15. Please don't get mad when we can't accept your Fandango gift cards. We just can't.
16. Please don't get mad when we don't let outside food/drink in. This has been a rule since the first movie theater opened (or so I think). At least hide the food so I can't see it.
17. Please don't come up to our line and just say, "Large drink" or "Popcorn." We always say "Hi, how are you?" It would be nice if you said it back instead of just demanding us to get you food. Again, we are humans.
18. When a movie is in 3D, it says it on the screen, which displays all movies very clearly. It is also online and sometimes in the newspaper. When someone is asking to see a 3D film, I always verify with the guest that the film is 3D. When the guest agrees, I will finish the transaction and give them their 3D glasses. Please do not be that person who wants a refund because they didn't want a 3D movie.
19. Our phone rings off the hook. We are always cautious of when to answer the phone to ensure that our in-person guests get taken care of first. If we are on the phone, please respect us; we will probably be done shortly.
20. Please don't question my knowledge. It's frustrating when we put a medium cup on the counter, and you ask us in all seriousness, "Are you sure that is your medium cup?" Yes I am sure, I wouldn't just give you a large on purpose.
21. Before complaining about movie times, please make sure you are looking at the correct times for the correct theater. The number of customers we have who are obscenely angry because of the movie times, and all we have to tell them is they are looking at the wrong theater. It's no big deal, but some are over the top angry.
22. Please treat me and my manager with equal respect. It's very annoying when I tell a guest something, and they yell at me with all their being, and then when my manager tells the guest the exact same thing, they smile and say OK, and then give me a death stare. No thank you.
23. Please don't throw your trash out in the tampon holder. It's gross, and we have so many other bigger trash cans you can utilize.
Don't get me wrong. I love my job, and I love all the people I work with. Sometimes the daily complaints and downsides of the job can get tough, but it's what keeps me going. The funny part is this list of 23 is just a handful of everything we deal with each time we work. Bottom line is that we love our job, and we are really just trying to make each guest 110 percent happy please respect us.
