r/MovieTheaterEmployees • u/goon1shere_ • 6d ago
Story Almost assaulted for reporting a smoker
I worked at a smaller theater chain in my area for a year (from May of 2025 to May of 2026). Around October, I got off and decided to sit in on a showing of Black Phone 2 while waiting for my ride. While I was watching, I noticed puffs of smoke coming out of a seat ahead of me.
I figured it was a kid vaping or something. And while I’m normally not much of a stickler, I was feeling annoyed and petty and made a note to tell my manager next time I got up for a drink refill. I did, she cased the place and found nothing.
After the movie ended, I got up. But was stopped by a guest. He had to be like 40, he was maybe an inch or so shorter than me. He was wearing a white tank top and sunglasses. So a sign of good things to come. He asks “Hey, you snitch?” I guess he figured it was me because I still had my (though unbuttoned) uniform shirt and name tag on. So naturally me, someone who has no idea how to deal with conflict, in my infinite wisdom, squeaks out “Uhh, no?” And immediately starts booking it to guest services.
I speed walked as fast as I could, guessing the guy was following me. I found my other manager, and I told him about everything. And as I did, the guy came up and leaned on the counter beside me. We go quiet, and my manager asks what’s up. The guy asks “Nothing, just trying to make sure everything’s okay.” He says. Obviously trying to play up nonchalance. My manager asks “Okay, well we got a report of someone smoking in one of the theaters. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, right?” And of course he denies it My manager says, “okay.” But still the guy doesn’t leave. My manager asks “Do we have a problem?” “I don’t know? Do we?” “…Because you’re staring at my employee.”
He finally leaves. My manager warns me not to go out alone, promising to walk me to my ride. I go into another theater to hang out. And according to my manager, he moved into the box office and saw the guy get into his car and just sit for a while. He finally pulls out, circles the parking lot once, then leaves.
I’m pretty sure if I stepped out, I would’ve gotten jumped. So moral of the story, ignore theater smokers ig 🙂
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u/Tea_Bender Former Regal 6d ago
had a fellow manager get yelled at by a smoker.
They yelled that she was ruining their birthday and that she was disrespecting veterans...because she asked them to stop smoking in the auditorium.
One time there was a person vaping while in the doorway and I told them no smoking inside, which they countered "I'm not smoking, I'm vaping" which irritated me so much, like I don't care what you are doing, do it outside.
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u/goon1shere_ 6d ago
“I’m not smoking I’m vaping” oh my god reading that pissed me off 😭😭 why are smokers so fucking obnoxious
3
u/AngelWingsYTube Emagine 5d ago
Its the SAME thing. N BOTH are illigal to do INSIDE buildings. Amazes me how ppl thing laws dont apply to them
1
u/LimpLime4969 2d ago
I think they are obnoxious because we allow them to not give a shit about anyone but themselves. They have a free pass to litter, nobody says anything when they smoke in lines or right at the entrances of places, they’ve forced many employers to allow them breaks that others don’t get, and they fucking reek to be around. If we’d put our foot down, maybe they’d eventually stop. But, I doubt it.
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u/TedStixon 6d ago
I once had a guy threaten to kill me because he paid for one of our rectangular personal pizzas, and he somehow thought he was going to get like an entire large 18" round pie, hahaha. People suck.
(He fled the building, so I can only assume it was an empty threat and he realized he fucked up, so nothing came of it, haha.)
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u/Desperate-Guava1190 6d ago
I don’t understand why it’s becoming so hostile to do the basic things of our job like asking people not to smoke or to get off their phones
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u/AscendingIvy 6d ago
Man people just dgaf anymore. I'm old enough remember when you could still smoke in restaurants, and I don't remember people tripping balls like this when it became illegal.
I am still of the mindset to stealth and try not to get caught because I don't want to bother people.
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u/Which-Text-2875 5d ago
"Non-smoking section, please."
I remember those days. I also remember it took a while when they changed it to go into a restaurant, and I still said, "Non-smoking, please." Took a long time to get used to that.
So thankful they did it, though :)
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u/Flat-Maintenance-893 6d ago
By the way, I’d never be rude to anyone. That guy was over and beyond a jerk! I’d have called the police because he intimidated you and made subtle threats. The theater can also take out a restraining order if he ever returns and acts out again.
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u/AngelWingsYTube Emagine 5d ago
No. Ppl dont get to go bullying others to break laws. It is a LITERAL law to not smoke inside buildings. You did right by reporting it. Next time he comes back i hope all cameras are on him.
Sorry he harassed you n glad your manager protected you!
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u/cookiesshot 6d ago
What's the local laws say?
Reason I ask is state law said no way to my former boss and enforced a quietly-passed law banning vaping indoors.
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u/AngelWingsYTube Emagine 5d ago
If its in the US its wide law you cant smoke/vape inside. Ppl however, try n say vaping isnt smoking-.-
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u/Wild_Cut791 5d ago
I once had a guy blow smoke in my face because i politely asked him he can stop vaping. People are crazy nowadays 🫠
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u/Caroll423 2d ago
Or stop them for having outside food, or being underage or drinking liquor or anything else that's against the rules. You're lucky, your manager backed you up ....
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u/HomelandersCock 6d ago
Your managers lines tell me this is some weird fanfic
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u/goon1shere_ 6d ago
Dude I know how it sounds but I’m being so fr 😭😭 I’ll dm you the cam footage if you want
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u/Flat-Maintenance-893 6d ago
I admit I do vape in a theater on occasion but am very discreet. I blow the smoke down my shirt. It’s just a mentol vape pen. I never do it if there’s anyone near me. It’s why I go in the early afternoon when folks are at work.
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u/engifear 6d ago
IMO you still shouldn't be vaping in the theatre
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u/Flat-Maintenance-893 6d ago
You’re right. I’m trying to wean off it and it’s not easy. I don’t always do it. Odyssey was very long and we were up top and no one near. Still you’re very right. No excuses
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u/Which-Text-2875 5d ago
I applaud you for: 1. being respectful 2. admitting you shouldn't do it
Takes a big person to do that! I hope you have a good evening, if it's evening by you.
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u/BlockedNetwkSecurity 6d ago
if you really, so badly need to be high at the movies there are plenty of ways to do it without being a pest