A Movies Life for Me

I work at the Movies.  Pretty cool right?  Well that's about 75% true.  I've worked there off and on for over 4 years, always telling myself I will never go back to regal.  But alas, I am now at my third one.  For the most part I love my job.  I love my coworkers, my managers and I even decided to apply to be one myself after previously telling myself that I never would.  I do all the usual movie things, sell tickets, tear tickets, sell popcorn and clean.  Clean a lot.

For the most part, the patrons are tolerable.  They are coming to enjoy a movie they want to see, so they are cheerful and polite to us, even when we may mess up or be a bit behind.

It's those times where I love my job.  I joke with customers, laugh with them and attempt to make their trip wonderful, and I feel that I am very good at that.

But then.

You get the customers who had to have some traumatic experience previous to coming to the movies, because they are plain assholes.  They are angry because there's a line, they are angry because movies cost $8.50(which is actually the cheapest in Oregon and cheaper than many states).  They get angry because they are early and their theatre isn't ready, they are angry because SURPRISE other people want to buy popcorn too.  So what do they do?  THEY CUSS US OUT!  They tell us we are slow workers, that we need to do our job better, that we need to help them first.  Because clearly they are exponentially better than the other guests right?

I kid you not, there have been the dumbest complaints about the movies.  I once had a lady complain that the trailer for her movie was too inappropriate for the movie she was watching.  After explaining that all trailers are viewed by a national council and are appropriate for all audiences, she still got angry with us because clearly the minimum wage worker in the red polo is so powerful in the company, they can change things.

Now I just want to say that this probably happens 3% of the time, with almost all other customer interactions with myself and my fellow employees go wonderful and smooth, but man those 3% stick out in our mind.  FOREVER.

Also, don't complain about the lines, if it's a Friday or a Saturday it's going to be busy!  We have plenty of staff on the weekends, but when 3-4000 people come, it's going to be hectic.  Get over it and don't buy popcorn if you don't want to be in line.

I encourage everyone to go to the movies.  It's a fun way to be entertained and I absolutely love movies and will always love going to the theatre.  But please for the love of God be nice.  You have no idea how much it means to the employees to hear someone thank them genuinely and have conversations with us because honestly, we are all pretty funny.  If you've ever been mad at an employee, I understand but just don't do it again.  Or apologize after the movie.  That means a lot as well.  But blowing up at us will solve nothing, and we don't want to help you or give you free passes after that.

But above all, have fun!