In a surprising turn of events that has left grumpy homebodies aghast, fans are flocking to public screenings of the movie-musical Wicked and boldly singing along with the tunes. This phenomenon has become so common that cinemas in the US have had to post public service announcements imploring audience members to maintain silence. It's not a novel occurrence - theatres, concerts, and cinemas have long been arenas of etiquette battles. I once attended a midday screening of Call Me By Your Name where two middle-aged women pulled out a whole roast chicken and devoured it with their bare hands, disrupting a tender scene of queer romance in the Italian countryside with loud munching and slurping sounds. Our current issues - people singing in movies, kids filming entire concerts on their phones, and people throwing objects at singers - are merely modern-day versions of age-old dilemmas like, for instance, when is it considered polite to hurl rotten tomatoes and jeer during a public hanging? When more than two people gather, someone is bound to be a nuisance - this holds true for audiences, communes, and also explains why I have reservations about polyamory.

Defending Singing as Self-Expression: A Misconception

Singing during movies is undeniably irritating and disrespectful not only to those around you but also to the performers themselves (even if they aren't aware). What's astonishing is that some people are defending this as a fundamental act of self-expression. Even Dwayne Johnson, who is reprising the role of Maui in Moana 2, has chimed in, saying, "Sing! You've spent your hard-earned money on a ticket and you're in a musical, so go ahead and sing." However, this is not how it should be! It's like arguing that because you've bought a book, you have the right to legally throw it at a passing cyclist, or that since you've paid for a meal in a fancy restaurant, you're allowed to defecate right where you're sitting. Buying a movie ticket merely grants you the right to watch a film and sit in a chair. You are not permitted to bypass social norms - your ticket does not supersede the rights of another ticket holder who wants to actually watch and hear the film they've paid for. If you must sing, purchase a ticket for an actual sing-along screening or do it in the comfort of your own home. After all, streaming is an option. 1: The act of singing without permission in public is a display of extreme egotism. It shows a lack of respect for the trained musical talent of artists like Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jonathan Bailey. These individuals are not simply expressing themselves; they are demonstrating their own lackluster, discordant, and substandard imitations. It's a clear indication of their inflated sense of self-importance, similar to a toddler forcefully presenting a clenched fist full of cat litter. 2: The urge to sing in public without invitation gives off the impression of a frustrated musical theatre kid who never got their big break and now feels the need to impose their cracked vocalizations on unsuspecting strangers. There is already an outlet for such behavior - community theatre. It's not only annoying to listen to amateurs sing in public but also deeply sad. When I go to the movies, I don't want to experience a group of people who refuse to accept that they will never achieve artistic success. I already engage in improv comedy! Even street performers have more dignity as they do it for coins or to potentially be discovered for a major talent show.

The Difficulty of Deterring Antisocial Behavior

Unfortunately, these are the very types of people for whom embarrassment is no deterrent. Trying to shame a musical theatre kid is like trying to scare away a bear with loops of sausages - it's futile and only makes them more determined. 1: Perhaps the only way to deal with this antisocial behavior is not to get angry or upset. Instead, we should laugh and point out how cringe-worthy it is. Sure, these people still get attention, and it might not stop them, but at least the audience can enjoy the pleasure of mocking someone in a public setting. Maybe we can even bring back the tradition of throwing tomatoes. 2: This behavior highlights the ongoing struggle between individual desires and social norms. While some people feel the need to assert themselves through singing in public, others value the quiet and immersive experience of a movie or concert. Finding a balance between these two perspectives is crucial for maintaining a harmonious social environment.