New Etiquette Question-Theatre Related

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

DH and I have a 4 pack of tickets to see shows at a local theatre. The tickets aren't in the same spot for each play because we didn't buy the full 8 show season. There is one play at Christmas that my mom is joining us and her ticket is two seats over from ours. So I am assuming that a couple (friends, spouses, whatever) are sitting there in between us. We are all in the middle-ish so this isn't an aisle seat consideration. Is it rude to ask to trade one seat either way so my mom can sit with us for the play? If they did I would happily buy them drinks at intermission (soft or hard). And we would move best to accommodate them, as such we would sit behind the tall person. I don't want to be off putting and I would swap in this situation without a thought but I don't want to put someone on the spot if they really don't want to move. What do you think?

 

[kymom99]

I wouldn’t hesitate to ask.

 

[SirDuff]

I think that nicely asking is fine (especially with the parameters you describe and can mention when asking). I'm sure that you wouldn't do it, but the only time I'd be annoyed is if you just took one of their seats before asking. Also, if they say "no" for whatever reason (maybe they have some superstition about seat numbers), accept the "no".

 

[slo]

I would definitely ask.
As long as someone has the same view sitting a seat or two over, then I’d hope they would do this for you.

 

[mmouse37]

I would definitely switch if you asked me....even without the "perks"! Viewing is the same so why not.

 

[Alicefan]

No harm in asking, just don't be the person that gets all bent out of shape if they don't want to. Some people are weird.

 

[ronandannette]

Myself, I’d just sit in the assigned seats and enjoy the show (wouldn’t matter a whit if I wasn’t directly beside my companion), but if I was asked to move by someone else in this circumstance, I would happily do so.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Sure, why not? I think most people wouldn’t mind moving over one seat. But if they choose not to move, I would have your mom sit next to you and let your DH take the single seat.

 

[White Cat]

Myself, I’d just sit in the assigned seats and enjoy the show (wouldn’t matter a whit if I wasn’t directly beside my companion), but if I was asked to move by someone else in this circumstance, I would happily do so.

Exactly. You can’t talk anyway so it wouldn’t bother me at all if the person was a few seats away.

 

[_19disnA]

Certainly no harm in asking. They will either say yes/no and if the viewing is same from all of your seats, not sure why they wouldn't agree to move.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I bet if they arrive and you are taking to each other (pre-show, or course) from your assigned seats, they might even offer to switch right away.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I don’t think I’d ask, but I’m guessing someone would probably offer to switch if they saw that MIL was several seats away, maybe. If not, we’d just enjoy the show. I’d probably take that lone seat myself (and enjoy the peace it offers, lol).

 

[DLgal]

I'd put my husband in my mom's seat and have her sit next to me, personally.

There is no harm in asking, and lead the question with an offer of compensation of some sort (drink or snack at intermission is appropriate), and make sure you qualify it with "I understand if the answer is no."

We were in a situation like this once and it WAS an aisle seat that we had VERY carefully chosen, and we really were not willing to move, until we found out that we were sitting in Tony Bennet and his wife's assigned seats. The theater had added 2 more seats to the row and sold them to the public, and we bought them sort of last minute. As soon as they fessed up and told us who was supposed to sit there, we moved with no hesitation. I was not going to deny a 90 year old legend an aisle seat. They should have just opened with that information.

 

[Mysterian]

I would ask.

Also, does the theater sell popcorn? Will kids be seeing the show? This could really expand the page count of this thread.

 

[aprilgail]

I'd put my husband in my mom's seat and have her sit next to me, personally.

I was thinking the same thing- wouldn't have my mom sit alone, would sit her with me and husband in his single seat.

 

[mrodgers]

Similar to you all, except I would be the husband and wouldn't need my wife to place me in the other seat (if the others wouldn't switch if asked). I would already have changed with mother-in-law and let wife and MIL sit next to each other.

I would ask the other party politely though.

 

[MamaMermaid]

No harm in asking, just don't be the person that gets all bent out of shape if they don't want to. Some people are weird.

I agree with this! Ask but don't expect a yes and don't be upset if they say no.

 

[fly girl]

I’d ask, but coming out of the gate with, “I know this could be an imposition and I understand completely if you don’t want to” vibe.

The only time I am put off by simple requests like this is when the person asking has an attitude that I better move. It doesn’t happen often, but it really rubs me the wrong way when it does.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Under normal circumstances I wouldn't have even asked and just taken the seat I had the ticket for. In this case if it truly is just one seat difference I don't see the harm in asking and would be accepting for whatever response they give.

 

[gmi3804]

I'd ask, if it was important to me. It's not, since I wouldn't be talking to anyone during the show anyway.