He Bought an Extra Seat for His Pregnant Wife at the Movie Theater, But a Stranger's Entitlement Created an Unforeseen Drama That Overshadowed the Film.

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In a time of pandemic caution, the Original Poster (OP) and his pregnant wife found themselves in an unexpected conflict during their carefully planned movie night. After buying an extra seat for safety and comfort, they were challenged by an entitled stranger who felt wronged by their choice. The climax arose when the couple stood their ground, leading to a high-tension situation, leaving us wondering, will they ever enjoy their movie night?

Movie Night

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OP and his heavily pregnant wife decide to have a night out at the movies. They carefully choose a weekday evening to avoid crowds due to the ongoing Covid pandemic. Their choice of movie is a popular Marvel flick, a genre that the wife dearly loves.

Three Seats for Safety

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With their comfort and safety in mind, OP books three seats; two for themselves and an extra one to ensure some breathing room for his pregnant wife. The exact seat selection is a facility the theater provides. They end up just right of center, which seems a reasonable spot.

The Occupied Seat

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Halfway through the previews, a new group enters the theater and seats themselves near OP and his wife. One man, oblivious or indifferent to the assigned seating, sits directly next to OP’s wife, intruding on their purchased space.

The Request

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Assuming an honest mistake, OP points out to the man that they had purchased the seat he was occupying. He requests the man to shift to his own seat, which is only one spot away. The man appears confused and suggests he’ll move once the ‘missing’ person arrives.

Personal Comfort

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OP explains the reason behind the extra seat: his wife’s advanced pregnancy and their desire to maintain social distancing. The extra seat was not meant for a ‘missing’ person but was a precautionary measure for safety and comfort.

The Man’s Response

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The man coughs without covering his mouth and responds in annoyance, accusing OP of forcing him to sit in his less favorable seat by purchasing an ‘unused’ seat. He seems oblivious to the fact that every seat in the theater offers a clear view of the massive 80-foot screen.

The Group’s Support

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The man’s friends, sharing his unreasonable sentiments, join in, mumbling about how OP and his wife are being inconsiderate. Underlying this is a clear sense of entitlement, ignoring the specific reason why the extra seat was bought.

Tactical Swap

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To maintain peace, OP swaps seats with his wife, distancing her from the coughing man and his friends. Despite the unpleasantness, they decide to stay and enjoy the movie, unwilling to let the situation ruin their night out.

Under His Skin

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Even as the movie unfolds, OP can’t shake off his annoyance. His well-intentioned plans to ensure his wife’s comfort have been rudely disrupted by a stranger’s entitlement, casting a shadow on their movie experience.

The Glitch

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Unexpectedly, the movie is interrupted due to a technical glitch. The theater darkens, the man next to him coughs, the audience begins to murmur, and the atmosphere grows tense. This unexpected situation amplifies the existing conflict.

The Uneasy Darkness

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The technical glitch prolongs, and the audience grows restless. The man and his friends grow louder in their complaints, adding to the stressful atmosphere. The situation has escalated from a simple seating dispute to a more complex issue.

Management Intervenes

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The theater management steps in to address the technical issue, apologizing for the inconvenience. Amidst the ongoing disruption, they also take notice of the escalating tension among the audience and decide to investigate.

The Opportunity

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The management approaches OP and his wife, along with the disgruntled man and his friends. The seating dispute comes to light, revealing the man’s entitlement and disregard for OP’s wife’s comfort and safety.

Management’s Support

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The management supports OP and his wife, confirming their right to the extra seat they purchased. They request the man and his friends to comply with the theater’s rules and respect other patrons’ personal space, reinforcing the importance of courtesy in public spaces.

The Original Arrangement

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The man and his friends, while displeased, finally agree to comply. They return to their assigned seats, grumbling but defeated. The original seating arrangement is restored, and a semblance of peace returns.

Was The Husband’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posts his story online for feedback. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “OP paid for this seat. Maybe he should have just lied and said someone would arrive later or taken the seat first himself. Whatever makes this man leave.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “The audacity of him just taking the seat. Didn’t even ask. It was assigned seating, and he just took a free seat with no idea if the person that bought it was running late too.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “We have the same setup in our local theater where you purchase specific seats. You must select the seat on a touchscreen map at the ticket counter.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “You paid for the seat, so it’s yours. If it were a super crowded theater and someone pulled this move, I’d probably be annoyed too. But that doesn’t make you wrong here.”