Can you see a movie alone?

[TheProsecutor]

When I was a child and we'd go to movies, occassionaly there'd be a person sitting alone watching the movie. I used to think, "Poor soul. No friends to share watching this movie with. How could that be any fun? Don't they know they stand out like that with people having thoughts about why they are alone?"

But strange. Now if my wife is back in Mainland or is busy with something, I have no problem with going alone. I have asked some other friends about this and all of them say they would be too embarrassed to go alone. They say they wonder what people are thinking about them -- just like I thought about people when I was young.

Do you mind seeing movies alone? Not having someone to go with, does that cause you to think twice before going, and is it because it is no fun seeing movies alone, or just kinda awkward or embarrassing to be seen watching a movie alone?

[Tempestuous]

I think if you really wanted to see the movie or get out of the house it wouldn't be a real issue.

We often do movies with friends, there is some social aspect of movie going that adds to the experience.

[TheProsecutor]

I think if you really wanted to see the movie or get out of the house it wouldn't be a real issue.

That is what I think. But I've seen people pale at the suggestion. Apparantly a lot of people worry that people will think they are lonely or have no friends if others see them watching a movie alone.

Like you said, it is often a social thing to do. Doing it alone, to those people who can't, sees that as inferring one does not have a social life.

[Tempestuous]

Some people thrive well off the time alone doing something they enjoy.

True- we are not all little social butterflies but seeing a movie alone does not necessarily mean you are socially retarded. :) Just means you CHOOSE *gasp* to go alone there could be a multitude of reasons.

Though your demeanor, body language and self representation I think is more the issue of people thinking you are a freak scoping out a person to attack. *smile*

[TheProsecutor]

Sometimes when I go to a movie alone, I look for a family or couple with a big barrel of popcorn and sit next to them. Then, while eyeing their popcorn, I mutter in Japanese with a friendly smile, "Oishisoo." (Looks delicious.)

After that I get to eat free popcorn. I guess they kinda feel sorry for the guy with no friends watching the movie alone. hehehehe.

[thistle]

Don't see anything wrong with it - I rarely go to movie theatre's (too expensive here), but have no problem going alone.
And there are plenty of other people sitting alone, I don't feel like some
kind of social outcast or anything.
I mean why do you need a friend to go see a movie with, you are not going
to be sitting talking through it, though it is nice of course to have someone to talk about it with afterwards.
I remember when I had a free ticket which was expiring within the next few days and since I had the time, went to see 'Brokeback Mountain', there were only 3 or 4 other people in the theatre and they were all alone!
I was the only one who cried at the end though:)

[TheProsecutor]

When we went to see Brokeback Mountain, we noticed a lot of people alone, which seemed more than normal.

I think controversial movies will result in people going to that movie alone, because some people worry more about what their friend will think if they suggest going to a controversial movie.

John: Wanna catch a movie today to kill some time?
Peter: Sure. Whatcha got in mind?
John: Brokeback Mountain

Peter thinking: WTF! Is he gay or something and trying to let me know something?
John thinking: Oh shit. He is probably thinking 'WTF is John gay and trying to tell me something.'

[dk]

I don't think I'd have a problem with going to see a movie alone, but the drive there and back would sure be boring. Also, it's pretty hard to get out of my house at a decent enough time to actually see a movie. I'd have to really want to see that movie to go alone though, otherwise I'd probably just catch up with what's going on on SkyPerfect's Star Channel. I'm behind a few years as it is.

I'd feel bad for my wife if I left her alone with the kid and went to see a movie without her. I think that'd probably be the biggest factor in me not wanting to see a movie without her.

[socalheart]

Sometimes when I go to a movie alone, I look for a family or couple with a big barrel of popcorn and sit next to them. Then, while eyeing their popcorn, I mutter in Japanese with a friendly smile, "Oishisoo." (Looks delicious.)

After that I get to eat free popcorn. I guess they kinda feel sorry for the guy with no friends watching the movie alone. hehehehe.

Dude, are you serious? That's kinda funny. I'll have to try that... don't think it'd work with Americans though. :p

I have no problem going to the movies alone. I used to catch a matinee once or twice a week. Matinees are good, because the kids are still in school and the price is half. I would be able to sit anywhere I wanted and laugh or cry as much as I wanted without being concerned about bothering people. Sometimes a friend would join me, but usually, it was just me time.

When I was a kid, I was always told not to go alone, because bad people might kidnap me. Other than that, no stigma was ever attached to going to the movies, shopping or restaurant alone. I typically invite friends to go along, but am not moved either way if they don't go.

[TheProsecutor]

Those of you who have seen movies alone, do you recall the first one you did and the situation that prompted it?

Man, ... I am about to confess a really corny thing from my youth, so don't be too hard on me. Here goes:

The first movie I saw alone was Flash Dance. I know, I know, just bare with me.

I was 16, and well, you know how 16 year old boys are when it comes to girls or sex, and this was well before internet access to indulge curiosities, and I had heard that the "R" rating this film got was for nudity of this actress. Well, I wanted to see THAT! And besides I thought this actress was hot.

Well, I couldn't believe that my mother had taken my sister who was 17 to see it when she had known I wanted to see it (though I didn't tell her truthfully why). I think then movies were rated R-17, so if you were 17 you could go alone. At school though this movie was looked at as a girlie movie so I couldn't suggest to friends to see it. But luckily I turned 17 while the movie was still in the theatres, so I went then alone.

That was my first movie I saw alone. And yes, then I did feel kind of awkward or embarrassed seeing a movie alone -- not to mention a dude asking for and paying for a ticket to a girlie movie at the front window.

But, I am over that childhood trauma now and can see movies alone without feeling strange. But every time I do, I almost chuckle remembering the first time. "Oh what a feeeeeeeeling...!" <flash dance lyrics and rhythem add here>

[dk]

I think the first movie I saw alone was Alladin, which, to this day, I still feel a little corny about. It was either Alladin or The Lion King. I just didn't have anyone to go with at the time. I can't remember any reasons other than that.

Well, Jasmine WAS hot though. :p

[socalheart]

I don't recall the first movie I saw alone. It was some time in the early 90s. Again, the whole thing about being told, "it's unsafe for young ladies to go to the movies alone" stuck with me for a long time. Honestly, I'll probably tell my daughter the same thing.

[DoctorP]

I see no problem with going to a movie alone. I actually prefer it. The first time I saw a movie alone was 1976, I was six, and I went to watch Rocky! (Remember, I am from a very small town and it was always safe for kids to be out and about!)

[Tempestuous]

I see no problem with going to a movie alone. I actually prefer it. The first time I saw a movie alone was 1976, I was six, and I went to watch Rocky! (Remember, I am from a very small town and it was always safe for kids to be out and about!)

Isn't it funny how times change?!??!
Nowadays you don't even feel safe letting your 6yr outside to play alone.....affraid what could happen or affraid some stupid @$$ neighbor may call DFS on you (while no one does anything for the kids who really need help.)

On topic- I don't know what I have seen alone.....the theaters here used to do this summer movie pass and it was a buck or 50 cents to go see older family/children movies. My brother and I wouldn't always agree which one to watch so I often watched my pick by myself, probably around the age or 10 or so.

[Bones]

The first movie that I went to see by myself, was Batman. Adam West played Batman, and I believe Burt Ward played Robin. All my friends were busy at the time, but my dad dropped me off at the theater and picked me up later.

Also went to a lot of movies by myself while stationed in Utah. Star Wars, Tora,Tora, Tora, In search of Noah's Ark, etc...

Funny thing about Utah. The 388th TFW had just returned from Thailand at the time, and none of the local girls wanted anything to do with us. But as luck would have it, when some of the girls saw me alone at the theater they always came to chat, and I almost never left the theater alone. Of course, that only lasted as long as; "Where do you work?", but you take what you can get.

We never go to the theater anymore. The cell phones going off, someone behind you who has already seen the movie giving away the exciting moments, etc....

We just wait for the movie to come out on dvd, and invite friends over to watch. Much more comfortable for everyone, and we can indulge in our bad habits anytime we want. :D

But while I was single, the majority of the time that I went to see a movie was out of boredom, and I never paid much attention to the other people around me, or who they were with.

But sometimes, I do miss the large popcorn with extra butter. :(

NBTP

[Tempestuous]

But sometimes, I do miss the large popcorn with extra butter. :(

NBTP


Get a little machine for home!! You can even buy the artifical butter now too!

We have this little popper you throw the corn in some oil push the button & it goes, smells JUST like theater. the cover even doubles as a popcorn bucket.

My kids keep tellin me to buy the butter stuff, I need to suck it up and get it just to make 'em smile.
....yeah.....I'm a sucker!!! :rolleyes:

[P_chan]

I used to work at a movie theather and watch movies all freaking day! So yes I guess I did go to the movies by myself a number of times.:p

[Boost]

I never have gone to see a movie by myself, but I suppose I could if I really wanted to see the movie. I probably would feel a little weird though not having a partner with me. Hardly do anything alone these day, with the exception of going to work. :)

[Tempestuous]

I never have gone to see a movie by myself, but I suppose I could if I really wanted to see the movie. I probably would feel a little weird though not having a partner with me. Hardly do anything alone these day, with the exception of going to work. :)

You complainin?!?!?!??!?!;)

[Boost]

Well, Jasmine WAS hot though. :p

Kinda creepy there dk ;)

[Tempestuous]

Kinda creepy there dk ;)

Least it wasn't the Lion King he went and saw alone....if he started talkin about Nala, that would be REALLY creepy ;)

[Boost]

Least it wasn't the Lion King he went and saw alone....if he started talkin about Nala, that would be REALLY creepy ;)

Oh, good point! Funny you should bring up Lion King though, should I mention...nah. :)

[coldnoodles]

I never went to a movie by myself. The first movie I have ever been to was when I was 25 yrs old, don't remember what it was or about!! I always have to bring someone with me or I can wait until it comes out on dvd.

[TheProsecutor]

Finally someone steps forward and confesses that they feel a need to go with someone. I was beginning to think I had imagined what others had told me in the past.