There are a few differences you need to be aware of when going to a movie in Germany. Firsly, know that parking can be an issue. The mall is closed on Sundays, so it's a zoo on most Saturdays, particularly during December. Parking is hard to come by and people end up parking on the highway and walking up the ramp to the mall. I asked David to drop us off and pick us up so we wouldn't need to worry about finding a spot.
And have cash handy. For whatever reason, the cinema does not take credit/debit cards. And you'll need to decide if you want sweet or salty popcorn at the concession stand. But the biggest decision you may need to make it where to sit. At the register, you'll be asked where you want to sit. In the center, near the back (the theaters tend to be a bit smaller than in the U.S.) are premium spots. My guy at the register automatically gave us the best available seats in the room. I wasn't worried. The English-language audiences for movies at this theater were usually small.
We entered the theater room and I hesitated. There were 6 or 8 other people already there and our seats were right next to one group. How would you feel if you were waiting for a movie to start, the room was basically empty, and then someone sat right next to you? Annoyed, right?
We have been to movies in Germany where there were only 12 people in attendance and they were all sitting on top of each other in the center of the back two rows. It strikes us as a bit odd.
Figuring that the room would probably be mostly empty anyway, Micaela and I sat not in our assigned seats, but in another set of seats in the center, a few rows down.
Big mistake.
More people entered the room, checked their tickets and fixed us with a look. A look that said, "What are you doing sitting in my seat?" We moved to another set of free seats. And then it happened again and again. The movie was attracting a bigger audience than I expected.
And there was another problem. A few people, seeing that we were in their seats, did what I thought was the logical thing. They sat in other free seats. But then new people showed up and informed them that they were in their seats. All because of us. Ooops.
We finally settled in two seats on the side. I just could not bring myself, after all this time, with every one noting how often we were moving, to sit in our assigned seats, with people on either side of us. I'm sure everyone was asking themselves, "Why don't they just sit where they're supposed to?"
A German would not understand, "In the U.S., you just don't sit right next to another person at the movies, unless the room is completely packed. And seats are not assigned!"
But I didn't have anyone sitting next to me, which relieved me greatly.
And for the record, I am not a "Twilight Mom." I thought that the books, while an interesting idea, were very poorly written and that the author was plain careless with many of her details. "Where's her editor?!" I kept asking as I read the books. But I did indeed read them all last year after hearing some buzz on them and anticipating that Micaela would be hooked on them (which she is) and I should have an idea of what she was reading. The movies I find tolerable, but I did laugh out loud at New Moon at an unintentionally funny line. "Bella, all you have to do is breathe." Cheesy.
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