WarriorLife

My interest has been aroused by a poll that is currently being run on CNN asking people where they prefer to watch their movies.

Currently, 80% have said they prefer to watch films in the privacy of their own homes rather .

This made me reflect on other information I've come across recently - that people now prefer doing all their shopping online (from home), prefer to communicate via text and IM programs (as opposed to the telephone or in person), prefer to play online games with friends rather than 'physical' games such as baseball, etc.

We also prefer to eat takeout at home, rather than restaurants...and go to places of interest that are away from tourists. Send out a generic Xmas newsletter as oppose to personal cards, etc etc

My question is - are we slowly turning into a nation of isolated individuals who will eventually grow to live like hermits? People seem to be shunning any form of interaction and human contact as much as possible...to the point were employers and social workers are now saying that American people's communication and social skills are decreasing...people are having trouble actually holding a deep discussion or speaking in public.

If this is the case, I find it truly sad. Has anyone noticed this? Can anyone support or dismiss these theories?

cabritpop

Regarding movie theaters, the best part about them is being able to see the movie on a big screen with the excellent sound. It ends there, it costs too much ($9.50+) here to justify some of the lame crap hollywood puts out these days, also the way people behave in the theatre is annoying so if it's crowded you have to deal with Aholes on their cell phone, or talking during the movie, I can't stand that.Oh, and if I want a beer I can't just go to the fridge, I have to sneak it in.

WarriorLife

That's an interesting contrast, Cabritpop. I actually love seeing movies at the cinema, and especially here in the States. The US audiences are much better than the UK ones. People laugh out loud, gasp in unison, cry, boo, and applaud at the end. I'm sorry, but NOTHING beats that feeling of being moved by a particular scene, and hearing 500 other people all around you expressing the same emotion. It's a "buzz" - one that can never be matched by watching at home with the curtains drawn.

To me, its the difference between watching your team win the cup final at home alone...or in the pub with your mates!

Guelder Rose

I'm one of those who much prefer watching a movie at home, but that is only because when I go to the cinema I always seem to end up near people who are munching popcorn which drives me crazy. It's also nice not to have people talking during the movie, talking on their cell phone or using the back of your seat as a foot rest!

I also preferred online shopping when I was in the UK (not available where I live in the US) ... beats all that queueing at check out.

Taffyles

I'd agree with you except for one thing...POPCORN..OMG..I only go to the local dollar cinema nowadays if I want to see a particular film on the big screen- I'd rather wait for it to come there where there are plenty of seats available to move around if necessary. I've walked out of good films in the past, half way through, because of so many people munching/ crunching/slurping in my ears... drives me nuts.

I don't think people are getting more isolated- I think they're more savvy now with the internet. Money dictates. If it becomes too expensive to go to the movies- they'll stop. If you can buy something cheaper online than in the store. If a phone call costs and IM/email doesn't then of course they'll use the computer. I used to phone home to UK, at great cost until I got the internet and email and only phoned people who had no pc. Now with VOIP and unlimited calling to UK- I phone people again instead of emails.
Kids spend too much time on pcs, maybe, they certainly need those skills for the future- but they still go to school/activities/sports, even birthday parties, to sharpen up social skills.

New in NY

Popcorn is nothing. I hate the smell of hotdogs. Took the kid to see Madagascar a couple of weeks back and there was this family right in front of us with a big tray loaded with hotdogs, chips and ketchup. It was even worse when we went to the Gypsy Kings concert, I can't believe they were selling hotdogs there.

It's true though that we don't go out that much. Not that we are trying to avoid people but there are many reasons. For example, watching a movie at home is cheaper and less hassle than looking for a babysitter (who costs 15 dollars an hour in Manahattan).

scrubbedexpat099

We saw Star Wars in Mexico, nice new modern Theatre, one of the big US chains - $5, for both of us.

In English wiith Spanish sub titles, which was nice as a couple of bits of dialogue were smudged, at least you could get the gist of what they were saying.

A factor of 4 is a bit much.

I put it down to the improved home theatre's other people have.

Bob

What really ticks me off about movies in cinemas' over here....kids...******* a-hole parents that bring toddlers to a scary movie or whatever...having a baby crying, or a kid freak out is well annoying...

ladylisa

I like going to the movies except the fact my husband makes us sit really near the front because he cant bear people munchin popcorn in his ear. So I have to sit with a crook neck all the way through the film. What gets me though is that these people with their super jumbo bargain bucket extra butter popcorn always seem to find a way to sit near us anyway!...

sibsie

We used to go to the flix but then went off it during winter. Schleping through 15' of snow is no fun. Nowadays we Netflix. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it. Great selection of Brit flix on it too.

Dimsie

It's not possible to generalise in a subject like this, but I'd say that perhaps those people who are naturally introverted now can find it easier to remain solitary without losing out as much as before, whilst those who are natural extroverts will socialise and party on as usual.

BritGuyTN

good hypothesis. I think you are onto something

Yorkieabroad

Reckon thats pretty close to the mark - maybe more-so for the people at the extremes - its the fence-sitters in the middle that may be swayed towards the introverted way cos its becoming easier...

As for movies - I've just cancelled our HBO because we NEVER watch a movie at home. We see max 1 hour tv a day (Franklin and Blues Clues excepted.....). I love going to the movies - $5-7 bucks each, excluding popcorn.....cheap date, my missus!! The cinemas round us must be better behaved than some people are experiencing as we never have a problem with noise - or maybe thats because we came from Singapore where the movie audiences have to be the worst in the world, so anywhere would seem good after that....

Takeout vs restaurants....if its a nice meal with me and her, restaurant every time. If we can't get a babysitter....kids + nice restaurant .... hmmm .... Papa Johns or the chinky.....

As for shopping online - hate it!! I've bought a few things online and generally been disappointed. Iim old fashioned - I need to "feel" a book, poke a lettuce, smell the mango, try the shoe on whatever....we do buy flights and book hotels on line, maybe buy computer stuff, but thats pretty much it. We sell on ebay, and I'm always amazed that people buy our stuff at above shop prices, and pay shipping as well. Why? Convenience.

And email vs telephone - no comparison. Absolutely none. When I left the UK the one thing I decided was top priority was to keep voice contact with folk back home no matter what. I email less close friends, but the family all get calls at least once a week (and no emails) and I generally chat with close friends once a month or so.


And one other consequence of the home based life - fatbastardism!! Its gotta contribute.....

Bob

Cinema sucks around here because it's the only one for around 40 miles...but anyway..shopping online...it's great, do agree about trying clothes on and stuff in the shops, can't beat that, but if you already have something, it's so much easier to replace online...same with books and dvd's if you know what you want...and definately buy smellies online after trying them in the stores, save a fortune, can save $35 on what the missus likes, so that's great

Englishmum

Tell me about it. Singaporeans have the most appalling manners when they go to the cinema. Their mobile phones (and pagers) would constantly ring...then they would have a full conversation with the caller, oblivious to the patrons around them - and if they knew they certainly didn't care! One expat guy admonished a young guy who was doing just this and when he left the cinema the guy and his friends beat him up for causing 'loss of face'

There is a very large spiky fruit called a durian in SE Asia....and when you open it up it smells like sewage - honestly. It's considered a real delicacy amongst the locals - I was never brave enough to try it as the smell was horrendous, so bad that it can make you retch and you can smell it from about 100ft away. Many hotels and public buildings - including some cinemas - have posters up pointing out that durians are banned. Unfortunately I've been watching a movie when some idiot has decided that he needs to eat some durian.

Another weird thing about going to the movies there was that when you buy the tickets, you have to choose which seat you want....there is no concept of 'free seating' and it would take much longer if you're in the queue whilst people take their time choosing where they want to sit.. On the other hand though, in any of the hawker centres and fast food restaurants it was similar to the Germans putting towels on sunbeds at dawn to reserve them......Singaporeans put little packets of tissues or their rucksacks on seats to 'save' them, so I guess they would do the same in cinemas too if there was a free-for-all. The airconditioning always seemed to be set at arctic temps too!

FYI: Yorkieabroad and I lived in Singapore at the same time.