this is post one on a clothing site?

The movie Fight Club has an example of this. The implication being that attractive women get presented with the front, all others get the rear.

 

sometimes I try to go with the side, like hips facing down the isle and just long leg strokes without ever overstepping either foot. Not sure if I'm explaining that right.

 

Ideally the people sitting down should honour their etiquette obligation in that they should stand up to create room for you to pass. That is how it works 99% of the time in Sweden anyway. Very few people remain "rudely" (IMO) seated thus making it harder for you to pass along the narrow line of close set seat rows. And that applies in theatres, cinemas and sports grounds alike.

 

You mean you shuffle along the row side on, making yourself narrow by twisting your torso.

 

^^ yes, more or less. Not all the time, but if it's really tight or formal and I just feel too awkward to pick front or back, I just go sidesies!

 

chatsworth osborne jr. this is post one on a clothing site?

I thought this was the "manners/etiquette" forum. At least that is what it said when I clicked on it.

 

Ideally the people sitting down should honour their etiquette obligation in that they should stand up to create room for you to pass. That is how it works 99% of the time in Sweden anyway. Very few people remain "rudely" (IMO) seated thus making it harder for you to pass along the narrow line of close set seat rows. And that applies in theatres, cinemas and sports grounds alike.

There are quite a number of times when standing creates less room. If the seat does not fold up, then you now have my entire torso to contend with (unless I also awkwardly lean back) instead of just my skinny legs. At stadiums, I am much more likely to stay seated on the bench and twist to the side to provide as much room as possible.

 

I would present my "front" to the people. It seems more courteous than my rear. At least then, I could nod an apology as I pass.

 

The answer from Emily Post--and what better source to trust on a matter like this? (From 1922, thus explaining the phrase, "At the moving pictures..." :icon_smile_big

In passing across people who are seated, always face the stage and press as close to the backs of the seats you are facing as you can. Remember also not to drag anything across the heads of those sitting in front of you. At the moving pictures, especially when it is dark and difficult to see, a coat on an arm passing behind a chair can literally devastate the hair-dressing of a lady occupying it.

If you are obliged to cross in front of some one who gets up to let you pass, say "Thank you," or "Thank you very much" or "I am very sorry." Do not say "Pardon me!" or "Beg pardon!" Though you can say "I beg your pardon." That, however, would be more properly the expression to use if you brushed your coat over their heads, or spilled water over them, or did something to them for which you should actually beg their pardon. But "Beg pardon," which is an abbreviation, is one of the phrases never said in best society.

Source: https://www.bartleby.com/95/6.html (#24)

 

I would present my "front" to the people. It seems more courteous than my rear. At least then, I could nod an apology as I pass.

+ 1

Always face people, when passing them in a theater row.

This is the most sensible thing, that my PE teacher ever taught me

 

I thought Emily Post had decisively settled the matter: Face the stage (or screen).

 

I thought Emily Post had decisively settled the matter: Face the stage (or screen).

I agree with Emily and that is the procedure I have always followed.

 

I have located my modern copy of Emily Post's Etiquette and looked up this topic to see if the rule has changed.

It has not.

However, it is worded a bit differently now, and even goes so far as to include an explanation (the bold portion in the quote):

Entering a row full of people is always inconvenient, but you can minimize the hassle. Begin by saying "Excuse me" to the person on the aisle and then down the line, and "Thank you" to anyone who moves or stands to let you pass. Face the front or the stage. This means showing your backside to the people in your row, but should you trip or stumble, it's easier to regain your balance (and maintain your dignity) by falling forward against a seat rather than into someone's lap. A sort of semi-shuffling gait enables you to move forward without stepping on feet. Proceed as quickly as you can, and be sure to hold purses, cases, backpacks, and coats high above the people around you. Be very careful with umbrellas and canes.

If you must leave a row during a performance, repeat the process but whisper your thanks and apologies. If returning to your seat will inconvenience people yet another time, it's often best to sit or stand at the back of the hall until intermission and then get back to yoru place before others return to your row. Anyone who may be summoned away during a performance should try to get a seat on or near an aisle, as should parents with young children.

When you're the one being passed in a row, it's often possible to clear space by remaining seated and turning knees in the direction the person is moving. Standing may be easier if seats fold up, but it's better to move knees than to stand (thereby blocking the view of those seated behind) when the performance is under way.

Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition, © 2004

 

I think about the proper etiquette every time I am taking my seat in church. I find, unfortunately, most people in my church are in their late 70s and early 80s and I cannot see myself showing my rear end in such close proximity to them as I try to get to my seat. I always face them and excuse myself for disturbing them. To me it's only the respectful thing to do. Come to think of it, I do the same no matter what the age is of the person I'm passing. As they say - That's just me.

 

"I go out sideways."

:biggrin2:

That was one of the most entertaining posts I've read in a long time!

Seriously, I don't believe there is an official rule here... I just do what feels right.

 

No, there's no official rule. Just like there's no official rule that says you have to match belt and shoe color, or that dictates how far a sleeve cuff extends past a jacket cuff. There are the respected authorities that guide us, such as the one I quoted from earlier.

 

I've always faced the stage/screen. Aside from the reasons that Emily Post gave, it's a little awkward to be staring in the face both the people you are passing, and everyone sitting behind them (who undoubtedly all seem to be staring directly at you...).

At least by facing forward, you are unaware of anyone looking at you :icon_smile_wink:

 

At least by facing forward, you are unaware of anyone looking at you :icon_smile_wink:

Exactly...And I am of the firm opinion that anything I am not aware of simply does not exist. :biggrin:

 

The movie Fight Club has an example of this. The implication being that attractive women get presented with the front, all others get the rear.

What if there are a few men and then an attractive woman? Would you face away from the men and then twist around when you reach the woman?

 

Depends if I had beans for lunch.

 

Well, the beans would take care of the rude people that remained seated. If you didn't have beans, would it be appropriate to face them and swat the rude ones as you passed?

 

I recently attended two theater performances for which I had an aisle seat. This meant that I had to pass no one, but many people passed by me.

For the period of time between my arrival and the now ubiquitous announcement regarding cell phones and extraneous noises, I rose so that my seat folded up, and sat on the front edge.

At the second theater, my seat was in front of a column. So when a lady returned from the ladies' room two minutes into the start of the show, I was able to stand completely without offending anyone.

(She was unaware that there was an "accessible" bathroom on the orchestra level, and joined the queue for the primary facilities located on the mezzanine.)

 

Wow, you learn something new every day... Thanks AAAC!!

 

Exactly...And I am of the firm opinion that anything I am not aware of simply does not exist. :biggrin:

+1 Face the screen. I don't like the awkward stare at my crotch when facing the other direction.

 

I say front