Chinese Cinema Sparks Outrage with No-Seat Tickets

According to reports, the theater sold "no-seat" tickets to viewers, including families with young children, during the peak Chinese New Year season. These viewers were forced to either bring their own stools or sit on the stairs to watch the movie. The theater's decision has been met with skepticism, with many wondering if this is a tactic to increase revenue without providing adequate seating arrangements.

The controversy began when a viewer, Zhang, shared her experience on social media, revealing that she had purchased two regular tickets for herself and her companion, only to discover that there were no seats available for her child. The theater then offered her a "no-seat" ticket for the same price as a regular adult ticket, which she found unacceptable. This incident has raised questions about the theater's pricing strategy and its commitment to providing a comfortable viewing experience for its customers.

On January 29th, a netizen encountered an unusual situation while trying to watch a movie at a local cinema in a county city. The cinema was selling "no-seat tickets" at the same price as regular tickets, with the condition that viewers would have to bring their own stools or sit on the stairs to watch the film. The incident occurred during the Chinese New Year period, when the cinema had implemented a "one person, one ticket" policy, with no discounts for children. This policy differs from most other cinemas, which typically offer discounts or free tickets for children under a certain height.

According to Zhang, she had purchased two tickets in advance for herself and her companion, but when they arrived at the cinema, they were informed that there were no seats available for their child, who was under 1.3 meters tall. The cinema offered to sell them a "no-seat ticket" at the same price as the regular tickets, which was 42 yuan. Zhang was told that she could either bring a small stool for her child to sit on or have them sit on the stairs.

The incident has sparked controversy online, with many netizens expressing outrage and disappointment at the cinema's policy. Some have accused the cinema of being greedy and prioritizing profits over customer comfort, while others have criticized the policy as a form of disguised price hike, particularly during peak periods like the Chinese New Year. The incident has also raised questions about the cinema's ticketing practices and whether they are transparent and fair to customers.

The introduction of "no-seat" tickets at a cinema in a county town, where viewers are required to bring their own stools to watch movies, has sparked a heated debate online. Netizens have expressed mixed reactions to this unusual practice. Some have criticized the cinema for prioritizing profits over audience comfort and safety, with some even accusing the cinema of stealing from its customers by charging the same price for "no-seat" tickets as for regular tickets.

Others have questioned the wisdom of allowing people to sit on stools or stairs, especially during peak periods like the Spring Festival, when the cinema is crowded with families and children. They argue that this practice is not only inconvenient but also poses a safety risk, particularly in a dark theater where people may need to get up to use the restroom.

However, not all netizens are opposed to the idea. Some have praised the cinema for its creativity, comparing it to the old days when people would bring their own stools to watch movies in rural areas. They suggest that the cinema could offer discounted tickets for "no-seat" viewers to make the experience more attractive.

One netizen reminisced about their childhood experiences of watching movies in rural areas, where people would bring their own stools to occupy good spots. They found the idea of "no-seat" tickets to be nostalgic and creative, but hoped that the cinema would offer some discount for the lack of seating.

In contrast, another netizen was outraged by the idea, comparing it to the crowded and often chaotic experience of taking a high-speed train. They questioned the cinema's motive, wondering if it was trying to make a quick profit or steal from its customers.

Other netizens expressed their surprise and disappointment at the cinema's decision, with some pointing out the potential safety risks and unfairness to other viewers. They argued that the cinema's priority should be providing a comfortable and safe experience for all its viewers, rather than trying to make a quick profit.

The introduction of "no-seat" tickets has sparked a lively debate online, with netizens weighing in on the pros and cons of this unusual practice. While some see it as a creative and nostalgic experience, others are concerned about the potential risks and unfairness to viewers.

The controversy revolves around the quality of service, the reasonableness of ticket prices, and the protection of audience rights. Many have taken to social media to express their discontent, with some calling for a boycott of handwritten tickets and advocating for formal ticketing systems. Others pointed out that the cinema's approach is unfair to existing audience members, as it allows more people into an already packed theater, potentially creating safety hazards.

The debate has also raised concerns about the cinema's priorities, with some accusing the management of being more interested in profits than in providing a comfortable viewing experience. This sentiment is echoed by many, who expressed surprise at the cinema's audacity, saying "this is the first time I've seen such an operation."

Some have also questioned the legitimacy of the handwritten tickets, suggesting that this practice may be a way for the cinema to "steal" box office revenue, as these tickets may not be officially recorded. The discussion highlights the need for cinemas to balance their business interests with the needs and expectations of their audience, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all viewers.