Phone screens, loud videos and confrontation: Singaporeans debate whether public etiquette is slipping
A Singaporean moviegoer said he confronted two middle-aged men who allegedly used their phones at full brightness during a film, only for one to reply: “I won’t stop using it, what can you do.”
In Singapore, a moviegoer found himself questioning the decline in movie etiquette after an unpleasant encounter at a cinema. On Reddit, the individual recounted a recent visit to the theatre with his partner. During the screening, two middle-aged men seated near them began using their phones with the screens at their maximum brightness.
The netizen attempted to address the issue, but the other patron simply replied: "I won't stop using it; what can you do?" Following the film, the situation escalated, and the two men confronted the netizen, demanding that they resolve the matter outside the theatre. The netizen resorted to profanity and expressed his frustration, stating that if these individuals deserved any form of courtesy, they should behave as responsible individuals.
He added, "Two middle-aged guys just derailed the topic and tried to escalate to a fight. At the moment, I considered giving in to rage but thank god my wife pulled me back. I walked away, and it ended there." He concluded by questioning, "Is it impossible to watch a movie nicely in SG? Why do we condone such behaviour? Everyone should play their part to keep public order."
Many netizens responded with their own views on the matter. One user suggested that such experiences in cinemas are contributing to people's shift towards streaming platforms or pirate movies. "It's frustrating honestly. Some people really have attention problems or they behave like they don't want to watch the movie, which is fine but why are you disrupting other people's experiences?" another netizen commented.
A third user praised the moviegoer's actions, highlighting the importance of adhering to unspoken social norms that maintain a civil society. "Nowadays people can't sit through a 2hr movie without checking their phones at least once," one comment observed. Others noted that this type of behavior extends beyond cinemas, occurring on public transportation as well.
The discussion underscored the broader conversation about public etiquette and consideration for others in shared spaces. Ultimately, the story emphasized the collective responsibility of individuals to respect one another's presence when spending money and time in communal settings, whether it be at a movie theatre or on public transport.
Written by urgent.news from The Independent Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
