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AIBU

Sitting on my own at theatre

(124 Posts)
Beswitched Sun 07-Nov-21 10:40:54

I don't know if I'm being a bit childish here.
I arranged to go to the theatre with 3 friends on Friday. As we were at the theatre door I realised I'd left my covid certificate in the car. I told the others to go on in while I ran back to get it. When I arrived back in, a person we know, who had come on her own, was sitting in my seat.

I assumed she'd just come over to say hello, but when the play was about to start she said 'oh the other seat is just back there' pointing to a seat several rows behind. Not only was it not as good a seat as the ones I'd booked (although same price) but it also meant I was sat on my own. However the lights were going down so I just went quickly to the seat.

There were three short plays being shown with a 5 minute interval in between and I could see them chatting away during those intervals while I was just sitting there on my own.

At the end this woman called over to me "we're going for a quick drink in the bar, do you want to come?".
The other two made an apologetic face behind her back and one of them texted me yesterday.

AIBU to feel this woman was cheeky and rude in her behaviour.

Alioop Mon 08-Nov-21 12:33:34

What a cheeky madam!!! Also your friends should of told her the seat was taken and to get her posterior off it.

DanniRae Mon 08-Nov-21 12:30:16

I am so angry on your behalf Beswitched angry and
I am pretty sure that I would have been so upset I would have stormed out and gone home angry
Bl**dy cheek of the woman....as someone has already said "It's no wonder that she was there on her own if that's how she behaves!!"

GraceQuirrel Mon 08-Nov-21 12:21:26

I can’t believe your friends didn’t stand by your side and say something like “time to let * sit in her seat now, quickly it’s starting!!!” Certainly would have gone over in first mini interval and said time to go to YOUR seat, I paid for this one. With what did happen, I would have left to be honest, I would have been so angry at been pushed out I’d have gone home and sent texts to friends to explain how I felt. I feel so angry for you, no wonder she was there alone!!!

Antonia Mon 08-Nov-21 12:15:43

I thought this was going to be a thread about feeling awkward going to a theatre on your own, but I see it isn't.
I would have been very put out if someone had taken my seat. The woman was very rude. I can't imagine why your friends didn't say, 'This seat is reserved.'
Some people are cheeky beyond belief.

Jaye53 Mon 08-Nov-21 12:13:41

OMG how awful for you.but did your friends then invite this woman as well for a drink? If so OMG so sorry for you

Theoddbird Mon 08-Nov-21 12:03:03

How awful. Also how dare your friends let her do this. They should have explained that the seat was taken already. Why didn't they? Even though play was about to start I think I would have asked for my seat back.

bear1 Mon 08-Nov-21 11:55:58

this woman had a cheek you should of told her that was your sit and she should go to her own then abandon you to go for drinks with her, as for your friends are they really to allow this woman to treat you that way

ALANaV Mon 08-Nov-21 11:50:12

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 !!!!!

Caleo Mon 08-Nov-21 10:06:44

You did the right thing with respect to the play being about to begin. Your friends will respect you and blame the ignoramus who stole your rightful seat.

She must have been desperate for company to do such a thing!

Newquay Mon 08-Nov-21 08:55:42

Appalling behavior!
It’s so easy to think after the event what you or friends should have said or done ?
Try to let it go for your own sake.

Lauren59 Mon 08-Nov-21 05:12:32

Zoejory

I'd have been furious. In fact I'd have been so furious I'd have flounced out. I've never grown out of flouncing.

I'd have been devastated that I couldn't slam a door on the way out either.

I like your style!

Summerlove Sun 07-Nov-21 22:53:54

I’m so sorry this happened to you.

Let us all learn for next time- hold our ground, and call our rudeness. Playing coy and hinting around to be nice gets you nowhere.

Shinamae Sun 07-Nov-21 22:06:35

All of the above!

Millie22 Sun 07-Nov-21 21:42:57

It's obviously too late now but for future reference just say 'come on xxx get out of my xxxxxxx seat'

Sorry couldn't help it ?

Some people are just plain rude.

lemongrove Sun 07-Nov-21 21:24:27

Lincslass

Really, with friends like yours you don’t need enemies, as the saying goes. One wonders why they didn’t tell this woman it was your seat, I certainly would have done. Awful for you.

I agree, the friends must have been very timid indeed.
Never let it happen again ( although it probably won’t.)

BlueBelle Sun 07-Nov-21 20:24:51

When you are up against someone so thick skinned you have to be quite assertive I would have said I ll have my seat back now, see you at half time or even made a joke and said thanks for keeping my seat warm see you in the interval
Unfortunately you didn’t and she ll do it or similar again
I feel so cross on your behalf I want to give her a real dressing down I couldn’t even bear to be in her company if I was you
And although you haven’t said it I m not at all impressed with your friends for not sticking up for you
Just not good enough

SueDonim Sun 07-Nov-21 19:50:29

shock The brass neck of her! I’m not surprised you’re upset, Beswitched that’s appalling behaviour. Do you feel brave enough to say thing to her about ruining your evening? She’ll minimise it, of course, but stick to your guns for a proper apology. You’ve nothing to lose, she doesn’t sound like someone you’d want to be friendly with.

bongobil Sun 07-Nov-21 19:45:35

This is terrible, I really feel for you x

timetogo2016 Sun 07-Nov-21 19:40:50

I would have said in a very calm voice that this is the seat i paid for,so please move to the seat you paid for.
She is a cheeky ignorant bully IMO.

Beswitched Sun 07-Nov-21 19:32:05

They did say it was my seat and I'd be along shortly but she just sort of plonked herself on it and then ignored all hints to move. None of us were impressed with her behaviour.

Pepper59 Sun 07-Nov-21 16:32:08

Your friends should have said thats x seat. Some nerve though, certainly a person to avoid.

Esspee Sun 07-Nov-21 16:31:25

Nowadays I challenge such behaviour. You really should have said something.
I don’t think much of your friends though.

MissAdventure Sun 07-Nov-21 16:25:39

You could have said "Budge up, then" and squashed in next to her on the same seat.
I bet she would have moved then!

Beswitched Sun 07-Nov-21 16:21:30

smile No I was coming from my sister's house so I drove mys and it wasn't a birthday or anything.

V3ra Sun 07-Nov-21 16:11:51

Please don't tell us it was your birthday, or that you were the driver for your group that evening, that's the only thing that could have made this appalling situation any worse ? I'm so sorry for you ?