One Person's Frustrating Experience with a Harry Potter Discussion
I was working in an office at a client site recently when the topic of the Harry Potter books and movies came up. The most recent movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince had just opened the night before, so a few people in our conference room decided to chat about it.One woman in particular was very talkative during this discussion. She obviously had seen the other movies with her children and was looking forward to seeing the new one. As the discussion progressed, she did something that left me stunned...she blurted out one of the major events from the book/movie. We're talking one of those things that could potentially ruin the experience completely for anyone who doesn't read the books but does enjoy seeing the movies. I couldn't believe it.
And what happened next was just as confusing. She then went on to blurt out a major part of the final book. Instead of just having the normal discussion about the final Harry Potter story, such as mentioning that the final book is being made into two movies or "My, how the actors have grown up," she leaked essential pieces of the story...again!
Now some people may disagree with me, but I think it's just common sense and polite etiquette to avoid blurting out any major details about books or movies in front of large groups of people. This statement especially applies to movies that are still in the theater! The likelihood that everyone with interest has already seen the movie is very unlikely, especially when the movie was just released the night before (and on a week night).
So, as a takeaway, please note that it is a faux pas to blurt out major elements in books or movies to anyone unless a person specifically asks you and no innocent bystander will get hurt in the process. It may not be that big of a deal to some people, but to me, it's just plain rude. For certain people, books are just books and movies are just movies, but for others of us, the opportunity to dive headfirst into a story, to be encapsulated within it like one of the characters, is special.
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Comments
Mums is the word in this situation. Shhh. :)
I agree,I think the point of a review is to give a very brief synopsis of the story line or simple what you personally think of it, not the details. Good article
Back when I was writing film reviews, I learned to be very careful, although sometimes it was difficult, to keep away from the spoilers.
Ugh, that's the worst. I hate it when peopel spoil without warning first!
She should have yelled out, "Spoiler Alert" before making her comments.
Unbelievable, Jill! I would be floored if someone did that! Rude is an understatement! What a bummer! :(
Maria - I think it's completely fine to include spoilers if you inform people you're doing so.
I'm pretty sure I can guess exactly which parts she blurted out! How rude! I'm with you on this. My dad is terrible about sharing just about everything that happens in a movie after he's seen it. I need earplugs! I admit to having written a couple of articles that contain spoilers, but I make sure I say so right at the beginning so no one accidentally reads something they don't want to read! ;)
Unfortunately, too many people think everyone has already read the books and they can talk freely as to the expected content of a movie. I hate it when you get the virtual commentary through a movie by another moviegoer, annoying!!
That is very annoying. The least they could do is ask before giving away that information. Great topic.
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