juvi geriatrics

From the (UK) Daily Telegraph

Cinema warns elderly customers over 'juvenile' behaviour

A cinema which screens classic films for pensioners has warned their elderly customers about their "unacceptable and juvenile" behaviour.

By Richard Savill
Last Updated: 10:46AM BST 25 Apr 2009

Pensioners at the Odeon, in Leicester, have been reprimanded for threatening, pushing, poking, bullying, harassing and intimidating staff, saving seats for friends and queue jumping.

Concerns were also raised about customers abusing the complimentary tea and biscuits arrangement.

Letters handed to film-goers said "guests have been known to line multiple pockets of clothing and Tupperware boxes with biscuits on the basis they are free. This embarrasses staff and is not fair on those guests who are left with nothing."

The three-page, unsigned, letter was handed to customers at one of the Wednesday morning weekly showings at the cinema.

It said the behaviour was having a "negative, Draconian impact on what was once a happy occasion".

It urged customers "not to save spaces in the queue for acquaintances who have not yet arrived or who are sat in their car."

The letter added that if the behaviour did not stop, cinema management would look to take action, from "refusing to serve certain guests up to stopping Senior Screen altogether".

Senior Screen was started in 2000 to give older people the chance to watch classic and modern day films at a discounted rate during the daytime. The multi-Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire is currently on offer at a rate of pounds 3.45.

John Gough, 74, who regularly attends with his wife Shirley, 73, said he thought the warning was unnecessary.

"We are not naughty school children and we object to a three-page, A4 letter being handed out. The manager could have come in before one of the screenings and had a quiet word with us."

Mrs Gough said she had never seen any member of staff being intimidated but had seen seats being reserved. "What are people supposed to do if they do not want to sit on their own?" she said.

However, Christine Hewkin, 69, said: "This type of behaviour has been going on for a long time and it will continue to go on if the cinema does not make a stand.

"It is annoying when you have queued and waited to find all the good seats have been saved for people who have not even arrived yet."

Odeon Cinemas apologised "for any upset caused to its Senior Screen customers."

A spokesman said: "In response to a significant number of specific requests, a letter was issued by the cinema to its Senior Screen customers based on the feedback the cinema had received in relation to customer behaviour.

"Odeon Leicester would like to reassure guests the letter was only issued in an attempt to ensure everybody could continue to enjoy the same positive experience at Senior Screen performances."

I reckon the Odeon should screen Cocoon.