Ron Newman (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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davis_square2008-08-22 07:40 am
ron_newman) wrote in davis_square2008-08-22 07:40 am
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Somerville Theatre bans (young) kids from entering after 6 pm. Let's discuss it here
This week's Somerville News has an article about the Somerville Theatre's policy of banning children under 12 8* from entering the theatre after 6 pm, even if they are accompanied by adults.
Is the theatre's policy a service to its customers who want a peaceful movie experience, or is it unfair discrimination against families with young children?
I'm posting this because we can have a more civilized discussion here than on the Somerville News blog comments. Ian Judge, the theatre's manager, reads this community, so we may be able to provide useful feedback to him here.
* Edited 11:55 am to add: I have a serious factual issue with this article. It says the policy applies to children under 12, but the theatre's website and exterior signs say it's for children under 8. That's a significant difference -- maybe significant enough to change people's opinions.
Second edit, 3 pm: Ian Judge has clarified that the theatre's policy is to exclude children under 8, not 12, from entering after 6 pm. He had made an erroneous statement to the News reporter which very unfortunately made it into the published article. Also, here is Ian's response to the specific incident detailed in the News article.
Is the theatre's policy a service to its customers who want a peaceful movie experience, or is it unfair discrimination against families with young children?
I'm posting this because we can have a more civilized discussion here than on the Somerville News blog comments. Ian Judge, the theatre's manager, reads this community, so we may be able to provide useful feedback to him here.
* Edited 11:55 am to add: I have a serious factual issue with this article. It says the policy applies to children under 12, but the theatre's website and exterior signs say it's for children under 8. That's a significant difference -- maybe significant enough to change people's opinions.
Second edit, 3 pm: Ian Judge has clarified that the theatre's policy is to exclude children under 8, not 12, from entering after 6 pm. He had made an erroneous statement to the News reporter which very unfortunately made it into the published article. Also, here is Ian's response to the specific incident detailed in the News article.
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Now imagine it being 6pm and you're not allowed to walk into a movie theater...
Now let's talk about how stupid that is.
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When I was 11, there were many theatres I couldn't go in. I usually went down the street to a theatre which would.
Im' not usually a 'free market' guy, but this is one place where I believe the free market is the right way to go. I respect the owner of the Somerville theater for taking a position (it helps that I agree with it, I admit), and sticking to it despite threats of 'boycott' from people who are, IMO, falling prey to Geek Fallacy #1. (Reference 1) (http://www.plausiblydeniable.com/opinion/gsf.html).
He owns the place, and has the right to make his own policies. If the boycott works, he will go out of business, and the market will have spoken. If not, well, not. Personally, I will do my best to see it does not, by patronizing the Somerville theater as opportunity permits. If you feel my dollars are voting in favor of 'discrimination', I can live with that. I discriminate in favor of businesses which give me what I want, and sometimes what I want is a kid free movie experience.
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