Movie theater assigned seats - what if someone is sitting in your seat?

[Anonymous]

We don`t goto movies that much and so far we are not a fan of the assigned seating. In this case there were 3 of us and we had 3 seats next to each other. When we got there someone was sitting in one of the seats (the one on the end). I first just stood there while the kids sat in the 2 empty seats. Then I sat on the other side of the group that was in the wrong seat. I did say "these are our seats" and say the seat number but the woman in the wrong seat just sat there. Would you have gone to get someone that works at the theater? Or yell at the woman? I am wondering what the right thing to do here was. It was dark in the theater, but the movie had not started yet. 5 minutes latter the whole group moved over, so it did all work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don`t goto movies that much and so far we are not a fan of the assigned seating. In this case there were 3 of us and we had 3 seats next to each other. When we got there someone was sitting in one of the seats (the one on the end). I first just stood there while the kids sat in the 2 empty seats. Then I sat on the other side of the group that was in the wrong seat. I did say "these are our seats" and say the seat number but the woman in the wrong seat just sat there. Would you have gone to get someone that works at the theater? Or yell at the woman? I am wondering what the right thing to do here was. It was dark in the theater, but the movie had not started yet. 5 minutes latter the whole group moved over, so it did all work out.

First, you need to grow a backbone.

And then you say something - nicely - to the person in your assigned seat. Show them your ticket.

If they still don't move, you get an usher to handle it.

[Anonymous]

"I'm sorry, you're in my seat and my family wants to sit together." Then go get an usher. I always see a movie attendant/cleaner/usher person when we first get into the movie theater.

[Anonymous]

This isn't hard. Get an usher and they will be moved.

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds like you handled the situation properly and effectively. You showed them your ticket, they moved, albeit slowly. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

I would only say something if there was an actual problem. For example, if it meant my family couldn't sit together or had to sit in worse seats. In you case, I think it's a case of no harm, no foul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don`t goto movies that much and so far we are not a fan of the assigned seating. In this case there were 3 of us and we had 3 seats next to each other. When we got there someone was sitting in one of the seats (the one on the end). I first just stood there while the kids sat in the 2 empty seats. Then I sat on the other side of the group that was in the wrong seat. I did say "these are our seats" and say the seat number but the woman in the wrong seat just sat there. Would you have gone to get someone that works at the theater? Or yell at the woman? I am wondering what the right thing to do here was. It was dark in the theater, but the movie had not started yet. 5 minutes latter the whole group moved over, so it did all work out.

1) you say politely that they are sitting in your seat and hold up your ticket, 2) if they are an a$$ and refuse to acknowledge you I would tell someone from the theater. All that being said, if the theater wasn't crowded I'd just sit on the other side of my kids. But bottom line is you have to speak up for yourself and be assertive as needed. Can't go through life being timid or people will walk all over you. Sucks, but true.

[Anonymous]

"Oops...I think we've had a mixup. Our tickets say Seats 9H, I, and J. Can you check your tickets to be sure we have the right seats?"

I allows for "mistakes," and correction.

For the most part, I can't imagine someone not responding. And I think you did the right thing, OP, by just sitting on the other side of the other 2 seats you had reserved. Sure, you could have escalated...but why??? Over one seat??
(I would assume that someone who just sat there was either not all there OR had a much different temperament than I did. I'm not interested in getting into some sort of weird altercation with an unpredictable stranger at a movie theatre. In this case, I'd pick my battles. If that makes me lack a backbone, so be it.)

[Anonymous]

If the theatre isn't packed, we just sit wherever. It's an $8 ticket. Nobody cares. Only the movie theatres seem to like this assigned seating.

If the place is packed then say "Oh, I think this is my seat, but maybe I'm confused - what does your ticket say?"

[Anonymous]

"Excuse me, I think you're in our seat. We have tickets X, Y, and Z."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the theatre isn't packed, we just sit wherever. It's an $8 ticket. Nobody cares. Only the movie theatres seem to like this assigned seating.

If the place is packed then say "Oh, I think this is my seat, but maybe I'm confused - what does your ticket say?"

Why position it like you made a mistake? Weird.

"Hi, my ticket says this is my seat. Please move."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the theatre isn't packed, we just sit wherever. It's an $8 ticket. Nobody cares. Only the movie theatres seem to like this assigned seating.

If the place is packed then say "Oh, I think this is my seat, but maybe I'm confused - what does your ticket say?"

The people who took the time to buy their tickets in advance for their preferred seat location care

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the theatre isn't packed, we just sit wherever. It's an $8 ticket. Nobody cares. Only the movie theatres seem to like this assigned seating.

If the place is packed then say "Oh, I think this is my seat, but maybe I'm confused - what does your ticket say?"

Why position it like you made a mistake? Weird.

"Hi, my ticket says this is my seat. Please move."

Yeah. F that. I am really trying not to apologize for being right. It chips away at you every time you do it.

[Anonymous]

I have sat in the wrong seat by mistake before. When the person who was supposed to have the seat brought it to my attention, I apologized and moved. It's no big deal.

And there is always the possibility they're in the right seat and YOU are mistaken that they're in your seat.

It doesn't hurt to ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the theatre isn't packed, we just sit wherever. It's an $8 ticket. Nobody cares. Only the movie theatres seem to like this assigned seating.

If the place is packed then say "Oh, I think this is my seat, but maybe I'm confused - what does your ticket say?"

What? No, you don't just sit wherever. Then you'll end up sitting in some other person's seat.

If you arrive to your assigned seats and someone is sitting there, you simply say "Excused me. I believe these are our seats." And show them your tickets. If they do not move or respond, then you get someone who works at the theater.

And we sure do care. We chose the seats we wanted for a reason.