So, this was going to be the post about the amazing date night that I had with my husband for my birthday. Included was going to be lovely pictures of the food we ate and my two amazingly handsome dates (Andy and Drew… since he couldn’t stay with Ya-ya). However, that’s not how the night went.
First off, Andy and I were both crazily tired. I guess having an infant and getting up strangely early for training for work (Andy, not me) will do that to you. We were going to go out to eat, but after dropping E off at my parents and we realized that neither of us were really that hungry. Which was ok with me. When I really thought about what I wanted to do for my birthday was go see a movie. It had been ages since I actually got to sit down and watch a “grown-up” movie (well, without having to randomly get up to do “mommy” things). So, to the movies we went.
Of course it was like 105 degrees out side so, instead of standing outside with Andy to buy the tickets, Drew (who was in the wrap) and I went and stood inside. Andy came in, we got our tickets “ripped” and we went to purchase the snacks (gotta have snacks!!) I went to the bathroom and then we were all set — we moved to the theater… except right before we walked in we were stopped by a manager. Who very rudely informed us that we were not allowed to take the baby into the theater. Apparently there was some policy that stated that children under the age of 3 are not allowed in a PG-13 or R rated movie after 6 PM (it was 7). I would have totally understood this policy had it been opening weekend and the theater packed out. After arguing with my husband for ten minutes the manager finally explained it was because the baby might cry and he might tick off whoever else was watching the movie. Insert manager number 2 (who by the way is just as young and just as rude as manager number 1). My husband kindly asked if someone could check if there was anyone else in the theater… since the policy stated that it was because the kid might cry and might upset other movie goers and my husband so nicely pointed out that if no one else was in the theater the policy was null and void. Manager number 2 stated — and I quote “I will not see if there is anyone in the theater and I will not let you go into the theater.” By now my husband is extremely… hot under the collar… I guess the managers started to back track because then they said … “Well, sir, if you and your wife want to go watch the movie you are more then welcome too, but you will not take that baby in there.” My husband asked what they suggested we do with a four week old… leave him in the car? The manager just stated “You will not take that baby in there.” (“that” baby was very VERY soundly asleep in his sling).
Apparently these managers had nothing else to say except “You will not take that baby in there” as this is what they kept repeating over and over. So, let’s call the head manager — who was at home and who basically said the same thing. When Andy brought up that his managers wouldn’t even seen if anyone else was in the theater, manager #1 quickly went to get the numbers … there were 2 … TWO other people in the theater. Main manager dude informed my husband that we still could not go into the movie as there might be 30 people by the time the movie was over. 30 people. Ten minutes late in a movie that has been in theaters for 2 months and wasn’t even packed out or sold out on opening weekend. Right. And apparently all this was my fault because I wasn’t standing in the 100 degree weather outside with Andy when he bought the ticket — therefore they didn’t know I had the baby with me and sold us the tickets (nothing was mentioned about the employee who ripped our tickets, handed them back to us and informed us which theater we were going to be in — or the gal who sold us our popcorn and coke).
What a wonderful case of discrimination, rudeness, and NOT making the customer happy (not even attempting). Bravo, Malco, bravo.
So that was my birthday date. Great huh?
So sorry Christian…I’ve never heard of that rule. I took Ram to LOTS of movies when he was first born with the girls. They were PG, but still even with date night, we were never even questioned. I hope you received ALL your money back (tickets, food, etc..)
I’m wondering if that so called “policy” is even legal – am looking to see the laws about breastfeeding in Arkansas….
AS I SUSPECTED:
”
Arkansas enacted legislation regarding breastfeeding in public in 2007 exempting breastfeeding in public from the indecent exposure law. Moreover, the statute states that a woman “may breastfeed a child in any public place or “where other individuals are present.”
Ark. Code §5-14-112 Indecent Exposure
(c) A woman is not in violation of this section for breastfeeding a child in a public place or any place where other individuals are present.
20-27-2001. Breastfeeding in public.
A woman may breastfeed a child in a public place or any place where other individuals are present.”
Your baby was exempt from their policy because he was a breastfeeding child. He is allowed to go anywhere YOU are allowed to go so you can breastfeed him. “or any place where other individuals are present.” being the pertinent clause there.
Print off a copy of the state laws, go to the movies and enjoy. Sheesh people are insane.
Angela <
PS. Unless they are also checking cell phones at the door of the theatre the whole "may disrupt others" argument doesn't hold any water IMO
Awesome!! Thanks! 🙂 Course these managers were so daft I don’t think they would have got it…