Twitter:
@JamesEpplerBanning the use of cell phones in movie theaters is starting to catch on. Now comes word the new Premiere theater going into the South Plains Mall will follow suit.
I would think that anyone who truly loves movies and going to see them on the big screen would be all for a chain making such a move.
The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin recently made news for kicking a young woman out of a screening for texting. She called back and left a salty message for management, who in turn have made it an ad that runs before each film warning viewers to put the phones away.
You can see it
here, but beware the adult language.
At one point the obviously inebriated woman says, "In USA,
Magnited States of America, where yer, you are free to text in a theater."
This same sentiment was echoed a bit more articulately Monday morning by Dave King, the co-host of "FOX Talk in the Morning."
To be fair, Mr. King received a scolding e-mail from a caller later in the morning, and he vowed to never text in a movie again.
But not all moviegoers are as gracious and open to correction.
And as admirable as these theater chains are for banning cell phones, enforcement can be problematic. I can't imagine a worker or manager would be stationed in every house for every screening to police the area.
So instead, I suggest companies essentially arm the customers.
New policy: If someone is seen texting or using their phone in any way by more than one witness, a customer may approach the offender and empty the contents of their soda on them.
Think about it - would you ever pull your buzzing phone out of your pocket if there was a chance you'd be drenched in Mr. Pibb? Fear is the ultimate motivator, folks.
Besides, theaters already charge ridiculous rates for their concessions. People would gladly spend the $4.50 for the large if there's a chance they can dump it on someone. Sure, there would be a mess to clean up for a poor employee, but that's what they're trained to do, right?
As with any policy, there's the potential for abuse. That's why you'd have to have a witness that isn't affiliated with your party. And you'd have to present the manager with the theater cup you used to carry out the punishment.
We're not lawless animals, after all.
A second offense might merit a soda dumping followed by a quick popcorn tossing - sort of a tar-and-feather approach.
But hey, that's just crazy fantasy talk.
