If you’re anything other than a baby boomer yourself, then I don’t need to tell you that baby boomers are the absolute WORST generation.
They raped the earth so they could have their cake and some of the other guy’s cake too. There’s a Chevy in every driveway and a chicken in every pot, but at what cost? They didn’t care. They wanted it all, and they took it, leaving things in perilous condition for us. And still they won’t get out of the way. I get it: your 60s aren’t what they used to be. For one thing, you’re still alive. And in relative good health! You still want to feel needed. And so you soldier on, hogging all the jobs with livable salaries and good benefits for yourselves way beyond what’s really fair, and kids out of college are forced to stay in demeaning jobs meant for pocket-money. Their student debt is astronomical and it’s unlikely they’ll ever achieve home ownership, but that’s fine, baby boomers. Keep working well past your retirement age. Your sense of entitlement really suits you!
But what REALLY gets my goat is when these jerks show up at the movie theatre.
First of all, they want the senior’s discount. They have more money than any subsequent 
generation will have access to, what with the disappearing middle class, but they will insist on every savings they can get, even though they’re 68 and still working full-time, while the ticket taker has a Master’s in theatre but goes home smelling like popcorn and broken dreams. If you make them ask for the discount, they’re mad, but if you give it to them freely, they’re even madder. Because in his head, he doesn’t look 68. He looks 48 at most! So how dare you give such a youthful looking chap the senior rate! Although definitely give him the senior rate because only an idiot pays full price. The only right thing to say, when taking their money, is: That will be full price sir, even though it’s senior’s day, because I can clearly see from your beard with just a tough of gray that you are much too young and full of vigor to apply, although if you happened to slip me some ID that would prove otherwise, to my complete shock, I would happily give you the discount!
They don’t want to look old or feel old, except for when it suits them. And then they’re playing up the old guy card with vim and pleasure. You see, baby boomers think rules don’t apply to them, and your local Cineplex is but one example of how they work the system.
1. They blatantly bring in their own snacks to the movie even though everyone and their grandmother knows this is patently against the rules. They walk right past the ushers with Bulk Barn bags a-burstin’. Just try to stop them, underpaid teenagers!
2. They’ll sit behind you and talk throughout the entire thing. Not whisper, but actually shout to 
be heard over the annoying volume of the movie by their similarly hard-hearing compatriots. Matt and I had a really trying experience at a showing of Mr. Turner for this exact reason – and the worst part is, the seniors are there because they get cheap tickets. They don’t care or even know what movie they’re seeing. The old fellow beside Matt used the film’s running time to take a nap, the kind that traps us in our seats for the duration, and beyond, but he was much less annoying that the gaggle of friends behind us who gossiped like they were in a coffee shop.
3. And they say the most 
racist shit! Sean and I had the unfortunate experience of being stuck in front of a chatty group of seniors when we saw Lee Daniels’ The Butler. Those boomers could not tell any of the black people apart. When a black guy showed up on a family’s porch in military uniform, one old guy told the others, who needed help following the plot, in full confidence, that it was the son, when in fact it was another soldier there to tell that their son was dead. And you should have heard their discussion when JFK was shot! I mean, these people LIVED through this time period, do they really need help remembering that this guy was assassinated? Assassinated dead? Like, all the way dead? Yes, yes they did.
4. A couple of weeks ago, Sean and I took in a showing of Infinitely Polar Bear during which an older woman texted the whole fucking time. Because the rules don’t apply to baby boomers! And this was still less blatant than the old guy at the premiere of Hot Pursuit who sat in the front row reading from an e-reader the entire time!! What the fuck?
I want to believe that not all baby boomers are terrible people. I really do. It’s just that they seem to insistently prove it to me over and over! So until they can show me that they’re willing to obey the rules that apply to everyone else, I think we need to lobby movie theatres to get special screenings for those over 60 – much like the screenings for parents with young babies, they should have theatres reserved for the elderly. And charge them DOUBLE.
Who’s with me? Every had a terrible experience with old people at the movies? I bet you have!
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
Oh my, I’m suddenly glad I escaped that generation. I can feel the steam from this post all the way here in Ohio. 😉 But in defense of baby boomers, I’ve seen people of all ages disrupt my movie. Young people on phones, thirty-somethings yakking through the whole movie, tweens fiddling with their candy wrappers—it’s an equal-opportunity annoy-fest.
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Hey Jay, as the youngest “baby boomer” according to statistics, STFU.
Sweeping generalities aren’t funny. They are just as offensive as your lame reasons for dumping a group of people into a box and labeling them.
Too bad! I really liked your blog and thought you had some useful insight to say about the movies. So, on behalf of your parents, your aunt and uncles, your grandparents, all those seniors who annoy you, just remember one day you will be one, too. Stick to analyzing films. Really, Jay. What a horrible post.
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Wow…if you’re not the type of baby boomer this post is talking about, don’t worry about it. People constantly complain about how much millenials suck, and I don’t care. Get used to it, and get over yourself.
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People do love to give Millenials a hard time and I’m not sure why. They have it hard! And if you think they’re spoiled or entitled, well – guess who raised them!!
🙂
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The texting surprises me because Baby Boomers are always complaining about those annoying kids texting during movies. Oh, wait, it doesn’t surprise me because some Baby Boomers do the very things they complain about the annoying kids doing. They’re the generation that invented the phrase “Do as I say, not as I do.”
[img=http://s29.postimg.org/roan2okaf/student.jpg]
“Student?”
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Blast me and my incompetence with HTML. Here’s what I meant to include:
http://postimg.org/image/mcvqhyy7n/
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Apparently they’re sexting!
http://www.salon.com/2013/10/24/study_your_parents_and_grandparents_may_be_sexting_partner/
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I was surprised too, but even more surprised by the old man and his ipad! Stay home!
(and I’m pretty positive his book, whatever it was, WAS better than the movie)
And while I’m sure there are plenty of young’uns capable of ruining movies, I don’t know em. I don’t watch Hunger Games I guess. And I also believe that baby boomers should know better. Actually, I believe they DO know better and just want to do their own thing anyway, and that, in my opinion, is much, much worse.
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Ohh Jay, I’m disappointed in this reading… Are you sure they weren’t umm over 75…? I’m 62,the end of the baby boomers, and I am nothing like what your describing. The people your describing sound like my mothers era. ,she’s 80. . And from what I’ve seen, and what you’ve said , it sounds like that generation , more than mine .
Of course I grew up in a blue collar town.. Maybe that’s the different I don’t know?;), but I’m here to tel you, I don’t believe you’ve given the baby boomer generation a fair blogging;) jus’sayin.
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I don’t see a lot of 80+ movie goers at all, actually, but I don’t think movie theatres are all that friendly or accessible to the elderly. I went to a screening of that Disney documentary about the monkeys (Monkey Kingdom, maybe?) and there was an octogenarian who couldn’t even get in the theatre because he needed someone to hold the door open for him as he scooted in. I obliged, and helped him to his seat, but was surprised there didn’t seem to be any accommodation for him.
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Well I can only observe what I see , and I’m here to tell ya Jay the old age homes around here bus there community to the movie theaters ;)!
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Damm phone I wasn’t done .. Any way Jay I think your wrong about “MY” generation . But it is your blog , and your opinion , I just hope u don’t hold it against me . Lol
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Oh I would never hold it against you, I know you to be a lovely person. There are bad apples in every generation of course, and then good examples such as yourself who are showing them how it’s done.
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I think people who lack manners aren’t just confined into one generation. I actually had to shush a group of people sitting next to me at MI:5 screening this past Monday and they’re in their 20s or early 30s. It seems that you’ve come across people from a certain age group who behaved badly, but I wouldn’t generalize that every baby boomer as bad. I think racism is sadly a universal thing across age groups, I mean look at that young kid who murdered the people in Charleston.
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Yes, racism exists in every cohort, but there are huge generation gaps. Sociologists have described it as Gen 1: Hostiles, Gen 2: Neutrals, and Gen 3: Allies. And I’m relieved to live in a time of allies, which still aren’t post-racial or colour-blind, if such a thing exists, but we are more open-minded. We live in more diverse circumstances. And so there’s an internal shift taking place as generational values are being replaced, and older people holding obsolete beliefs die out. Generational turnover won’t solve everything, but it does help to get rid of people (bigots) who refuse to budge, and usher in a time where allies can maybe help tackle the even bigger problems of systemic racism.
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Ha, you’re kinda generalizing, but there is a thread of truth in there. But like previous commenters said, rude people exist in every generation. I’ve met (and am related to) some uber entitled millennials. As a very late X’er or an ancient Millennial (supposedly I’m a “cusper”– I learned that in a generational seminar I was forced to take), I was in college in the late 90s. I graduated with student debt. The thing that bothers me is when I hear people say “oh back in my day we worked our way through college.” I worked in college too, but try working your way through $50k at a minimum wage job. That was 15 years ago. $50k for a four year degree is considered a bargain now. That was just $12,500 per year for tuition, room, and board. Now it’s even more.
My biggest pet peeve is that there has been a dramatic shift in the affordability of college in this country. It’s only gotten worse for the millennials. It’s also extremely difficult to get a middle class job without a 4 year degree. However, technical colleges are an option. But getting a job right out of high school and working yourself up through the ladder (unless it’s a family business) is incredibly difficult. In 1970, the biggest employer was General Motors. In 2015, the biggest employer is Walmart.
Admittedly, I do sneak candy into the movie theater. I’m sorry, but I’m not paying $5 for a box of candy.
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Very true, the job situation is nothing like it was even a generation ago. No one will hire someone without experience, even though everyone has to start somewhere. But the nature of employment is different – jobs are increasingly part-time, or contractual\consultant based, which means they’re not employees and without the benefits or security of employees. And that’s a real kick in the teeth.
Here we have a real problem with unions that protect older workers. We have teachers who retire, collect a generous pension, but are still able to double dip – as in come back to supply teach, or fill maternity contracts, etc. So they collect both the pension AND a salary at the same time, and deprive new teachers of these openings. And of course, they’re also draining the pensions,which we’ll really be paying for in a few years. Ooof!!
I definitely try to support theatres by using their concessions, since most of the ticket prices go to Hollywood, not theatre owners. But that really only applies to the family-owned stuff, which is increasingly rare. We have one such gem here which we support with memberships, and we consciously try to throw a few extra dollars each week at our local drive-in to make sure it can keep going. A huge multiplex theatre, on the other hand, needs your $5 a little less. And the fact that you’re sneaking is already a step up – the sight of someone trudging in with a picnic basket and doling out bottles of water and baloney sandwiches is a little much for me.
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Oooft. Don’t imagine you’ll be too popular with the baby boomers! I’ve experienced that shitty film-goer behaviour in a few screenings over the years. Not specifically a particular age group, though. But I have wanted to tell folks to STFU.
In fact, my favourite experience has always been the Christmas Eve showing of It’s a Wonderful Life. The older folks really make that a treat – applauding at the end and suchlike. Still, different night, different movie and different part of the world, eh?
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Aw, that’s sweet.
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Well this had me researching what a Baby Boomer is, (in case I was one and therefore keeping quiet! haha) but I’m apparently a Generation Jones, whatever that is. I do work with a lot of Baby Boomers but of course try not to do hearing tests in Cinemas, so I don’t know how they are in that situation. Also I don’t go to the cinema as the chairs are bloody uncomfortable and you can’t press pause whilst you top up your wine glass and go to the loo.
An interesting overview of Boomers,Gen X Millenniums etc is worth a look here although it only relates to America. http://www.socialmarketing.org/newsletter/features/generation1.htm
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Thanks for that. I didn’t really know about Generation Jones, though I have to say, it’s one of, if not the best names for a generation I’ve heard. Though nothing is as bad as Millenniums, those poor saps. Actually, Generation Y is pretty awful too, such a dismissive name. Like, you’re so unimportant and overshadowed by X that we can’t even arsed to give you a proper name all to yourselves.
I think all generations share a loathing of cinema seats. Truly awful. I think they must buy them from bankrupt airlines.
And no matter what generation you are, I’m quite confident that you do not belong to the whiners.
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I have my moments… 😉
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I was sorry to hear this happened and I am one who is not shy about going to get an usher or someone at the refreshment stand to get the situation rectified. I am looking forward, by the way, to the new Muppets on t.v. this fall. I like the Chef who is Swedish or something, along with the silliness of all the antics of those Muppets.
I am a senior citizen, am heading towards 60 later this year, hope never to get on your nerves. Laugh out loud, 🙂
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Good for you! I think I am brewing another post about the delicate art of shushing someone at the movies. It takes nerve! And those ushers are never around when you need them, are they?
I didn’t know Muppets were coming back to television! The Chef is one of my favourites too!
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I am 61. Still working, but about to retire. I’m less of a racist than anyone you’ll meet, and I concentrate intently when I go to movies, because I don’t go see stupid shit that isn’t worth paying attention to.
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I know, right? I can’t really understand going to a movie you’re not interested in seeing,a nd then ruining it for anyone who is.
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Not many people know this but cinemas aren’t allowed to stop you bringing your own food into a movie. The law is totally on your side to bring your own stuff as long as its not super smelly or something. Theatres just put out this myth so they can sell you ridiculously priced food!
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Great post Jay. I don’t see it as a generalization, more like a pattern. Baby boomers aren’t the only bad theatre goers but they seem to be a disproportionately large percentage of them.
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I am reminded that I left out one major point: of all the things they’re guilty of, not having a sense of humour is perhaps the most egregious.
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I’m hoping this post is tongue in cheek. Boomers are probably more likely to get pissed at the youngins talking or using their phones. I think everyone has the right to be an asshole 😉 watching movies ( dot com)
The worst behavior I saw was a Millenial showing up last minute with a few friends, insisting loudly the row shift down as trailers are playing. When a boomer disagreed, the youngin got louder. This is supposed to be a community he yelled.. he continued, we’re supposed to be nice, why are you being a bitch. So the theatre turned on him, some boomers saying stuff like we get here early so we could have a seat, and avoid your problem. Others chimed in.
Sounds like this Millenial felt entitled. This is his theatre and the rest of us are just in it, taking up his space. Some community, eh. I think he missed the point. This post reminded me of that. There are tons of a-holes at the movies. Most of us just want to watch it…. regardless of age.
This post is like edgy stand up comedy, I hope. With some laughs used to vent pent up frustration. But it can sound like ageism. Go figure, some ancient boomers use the internet like you. I’m Gen X-ish btw just standing up for movie fans in general. The community. Our community. 😉
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That’s why I haven’t been to a movie in a theater in years — it’s generally not a great experience…but yeah, I agree with some other commenters – there are rude people in every generation… Also, I don’t think of people in their late 60s as boomers! I forget what the generation before Boomers is called…
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Baby boomers are born between 1946 and 1964, which makes them 51-69 years old.
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