SIFF Etiquette
Now that SIFF is underway, here are a few tips for surviving the whole process.
Do
- Do arrive early.
- Do bring a book, iPhone, MP3 player, and/or knitting.
- Do be open to chatting with others in line about movies. If you’re not, keep your headphones in.
- Do take one of the SIFF ballots and rate your movie experience.
- Do enjoy your movie experience. Realize that some movies are going to have long lines and some will sell out.
- Do be nice to the SIFF staff and volunteers you encounter. They are working incredibly hard over the next few weeks. Thank them every so often, or just smile.
Don’t
- Don’t bother people with headphones on.
- Don’t hold space in line for 10 of your closest friends who can’t get up to get in line for the early show or want to have that extra beer after dinner. You’re being rude to everyone who gets to the theater early to get a good seat. Hold a space for 1, sure. More than 2 others, definitely not.
- Don’t talk loudly about the plot lines of movies you’ve already seen. The person next to you in line might be seeing that movie tomorrow and doesn’t want the ending given away.
- Don’t chew gum with your mouth open during the movie. Even if you can’t hear it yourself, the person next to you can.
- Don’t take out your cell phone or text during the movie. Those blue screens are really annoying.
Happy SIFF!
I’ve been debating this. There is a limit, I agree, but, how high? I’m willing to go up to 3. After all, I might hold a spot for my wife and our two friends. Basically, if I see one person in line, I’m willing to see that 1 person as two couples (or less). I don’t think it’s that out of hand, after all, a double date, one person leaves dinner early to go get the movie tickets. Not totally unheard of.
But going from 3rd in line to 12th in line, that’s about 3 too many.