Sitting on my own at theatre

That is outrageous but your friends should have told the woman that she was taking a paid for seat.

She sounds like a truly 'entitled' cheeky advantage taker. I would have said loudly 'Yes - go and sit in it, you're in my seat' and not budged until she did. Not overly impressed with your friends - in the first five minute interval it needed you to advance on your seat and them to indicate that you were coming over to sit in your seat now that you had the chance. People only have the power that you give them.

No way would I have put up with that!

I dont think you needed to make a fuss but a simple "ok if I have my seat now??" Should have done it with just a tiny emphasis on "my" ?

Someone in my seat has happened to me. The first time I did nothing except point out that I had booked that particular seat. The second time I made a fuss and called the usher [it was the same woman both times] She was duly turfed out of my seat. Needless to say she is no longer a 'friend'. here was quite a price difference too.

True friends would have put this person in her place by informing you were with them hence seat taken and would be returning having fetched your covid certificate.
Are they still your friends?

That would be telling.

MissAdventure

Oh well, it's not the end of the world.
It's done now.
I can't quite believe such prolonged outrage.

You weren’t the ‘friend’ were you, Miss A?

I’ve read through all the comments, and really feel for you. To those who say you should have made a fuss, well I can understand how difficult it would have been to have a carry-on as the curtain went up- that would have been so embarrassing.

Your friends sound very weak, to be honest, they should have simply said that you needed your own seat back.

As for that woman having the nerve to call you over at the end and invite you to have a drink with them all, I honestly think at that point I would have gone over to all of them and said “No, I’m going home now, after sitting on my own all evening. Enjoy your drinks! “

And I would have flounced!

What rotten cheek. Not only did she usurp your place, she made it as if she was the "leader f the expedition" whereas it was actually you who booked the best seats in the house. Howefer, you friends are milksops, let it be said. It is not enough for them to have made an apologetic face - they should have told her, there and then, that you were the one who ought to be sitting near them. And during the interval, if not at the lights dimming time, they should have sent her away. However, you, too, ought to have pointed out that it was your seat, there and then, and say you'll change after the first interval.

What a difficult situation I wonder if this was all male friends what would they have said or handled it in a different way. My whole world would have tumbled and been affected for days.

Such rude behaviour would have ruined my evening, that's for sure.

I would tell the two friends you originally were with that you find the fact that they didn't tell this rude woman that she was occupying your seat, both wrong and unkind to you.

If something similar occurs another time say, quite loudly, "Excuse me, you are in my seat".

Oh well, it's not the end of the world.
It's done now.
I can't quite believe such prolonged outrage.

She was very rude. I’m sorry she spoilt your pleasure in the evening. I hope you get over it soon!

I would have NOT sat in the seat behind. I'd have marched up to the staff and demanded they deal with it.
Who was she? Someone you know? How rude!
As for your friends...! Tell me... do they serve hare in blood at their dinner parties?
What's wrong with folk!!???

Sorry my love but hints are no good for someone with a thick skin which she must have, you have to speak directly to them
Sorry you ll have to go back to your seat now, beswitched is sitting here, see you at half time. Curtain or no curtain she should have been moved, I m cross for you
I would have probably done it in a fun way and said ‘come on you, up, quick I need to get in my seat,’

ALANaV

I think your 'friends' should have told her the seat was taken and she would have to go back to her original seat ! not very nice for you ..but, having said that, I always go to the theatre, cinema, club, etc on my own and have no problems ....apart from sometimes people giving me an odd look ...........all I think is that Wait...one day YOU may be alone ............I would ask your friends why they gave her your seat !!!!!

As I explained, she came over to chat to them and gave them the impression she was just sitting momentarily in my seat to avoid blocking the aisle. By the time they realised she was planning on staying there the curtain was about to go up.

She ignored heavy hints in the interval that she should now swap back with me and just stubbornly remained there.

I think that I know why this person was on her own at the event .....

I think your ‘friends’ should have explained the situation that it was your seat.

Why did you not tell her that you were going to sit in the seat you paid for and she can go to hers? Don't understand.

A) I don’t understand why you didn’t say something to her

And

B) why didn’t your friends point out that you had come with them and that was your seat ?

I love the theatre, that must have spoilt what should have been a lovely night out ?

That’s really rude but I don’t understand why you didn’t tell her it was your seat though? And didn’t your friends make it clear to her it was your seat? If she wasn’t told by you or them I don’t think it’s her I’d be upset with.

I am sorry to say but you and your friends let this woman walk all over you. If there had been a spare seat next to you all, then different but to sit in the seat you had paid for is unacceptable and downright rude. I would be letting the 3 of them know my feelings.

How rude was she? But I don't understand why your friends didn't ask her to move when they saw you standing there when you entered the theatre. What did they think that you were doing while they sat in the better seats, chatting away to that woman?
I think that they are also partly to blame and really see no reason why you shouldn't let them know how your evening was spoiled.
If I was also unlucky enough to see that woman at any point, I think I would also make my displeasure known, but as she is obviously thick skinned, just blank her!

If I had been one of the friends I would have said immediately the woman tried to sit down, “sorry, that’s beswitched seat, she’s popped back to the car. Why didn’t they?