Movies in the Park Etiquette
It now seems it is a summer tradition for various parks in many cities to host movie nights. Years ago, it used to be a small gathering of friends who went to the movies but now it is large masses of�¯�¿�½them who gather to see these movies especially where I live in NYC. I am going to give you my suggestions, for those of you who plan to attend a free movie this summer, on how make it�¯�¿�½ a more pleasurable experience despite the crowds. This way you can have fun at the movies with friends over a twilight picnic with pleasure and not less�¯�¿�½hassle.
First, don’t bring the huge blanket unless you expecting a big gathering of friends. Does it make sense to take up huge amount of space for two people? Also, try to get everyoneÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½gather at the same time. ItÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½is annoying when spaces are being saved for three people for a couple of hours when space is so limited already.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Besides the earlier you get to the picnic the more timeÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½youÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½have to eat drink andÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½be merryÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½before the show.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Why notÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½sit backÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½and relaxÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½and catch upÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½with your friends over goodÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ food conversation and wine.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Also, tie a balloon to a bag where you are sitting so your friendsÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½can find you easier. Cell phones don’t always work in such tight crowds. Also, think about brining a plastic sheet to put underneathÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½your blanket.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½This way theÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½plastic absorbs the grassÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½stains not your blanket. Plus, if it rained earlier the plastic will absorb left over excess moisture.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½
Second, be creative and have everyone bring a specialÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½dish that they been meaning to make. Let the movie picnic chefs gather. Or how about dishes related to the movie’s theme. For example,Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½if the movie is theÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½”Godfather” let everyone bring Italian
Third, buy cheap silverware or dishes, which you can buy from the Salvation Army, to only use for your movie picnic food. It is the worst when you are ready to leave and you can’t find your expensive dishes or silverware that you thought you put away.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½
Fourth, for quick cleanup, carry an extra bag just for garbage to be put into as you enjoy your picnic food. This way cleanup is�¯�¿�½a snap�¯�¿�½when the movie is over.�¯�¿�½Also, you�¯�¿�½get out quickly with less mess and spillage to worry about.�¯�¿�½
Fifth, family time is great but young kids will get bored really fast when they don’t have the whole park to run around and play in. If you can leave young children and babies home it is better because it not so great when a baby starts crying in the middle of a long two hour picture. While there areÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½some movies that are kid friendly most are not. In addition, you deserve a night out to relax and drink wine among friends and have some thought provoking conversation without the kids.
Finally, once the movie starts�¯�¿�½�¯�¿�½stop the conversation. None of your neighbors will enjoy the show if the�¯�¿�½person�¯�¿�½closest to them starts getting loud and disruptive. Remember my first tip�¯�¿�½�¯�¿�½and�¯�¿�½try �¯�¿�½gather your friends earlier for the pre-show fun and conversation.
Outdoor summer movies are about having fun and enjoying a good show out in fresh air with great friends.�¯�¿�½Here�¯�¿�½is�¯�¿�½my picnic�¯�¿�½toast to you and my blessings for you�¯�¿�½to enjoy�¯�¿�½the rest of a carefree summer among great friends�¯�¿�½in a movie in the park.�¯�¿�½I hope�¯�¿�½my tips are helpful to�¯�¿�½ you so you can�¯�¿�½sit back and enjoy the show.
