Shutterbugs in the spotlight

Snapping photos of a movie screen or stage performance is a public nuisance. But perhaps the practice can be managed for the benefit of both the production and the audience.

The just-finished seven-day holiday has been a boon for China's film industry. Of the record 3.4 billion yuan ($491 million; 464 million euros; 395 million) in ticket sales, at least three tickets had a back story more dramatic than what was shown on the big screen. Or, shall I say, a cautionary tale.

A 39-year-old woman in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, went to watch Duckweed, with her mother and 9-year-old daughter in tow. During the screening, she whipped out her cellphone and incessantly snapped photos of the screen - complete with flash.

"I was so excited when I saw Eddie Peng on the screen," the woman, surnamed Qin, later explained, referring to one of the stars of the film.

Two women about Qin's age were sitting in front of her. They were not amused and turned around to stop her. She might have turned a deaf ear to them. By the time the movie ended, the duo were still holding a grudge. They confronted Qin again and beat her up.

There is no doubt that the pair should not have resorted to physical violence, and they should face a penalty for their conduct. That's up to law enforcement.

But it is for society at large to reckon with Qin.

Ideally, the two women should have notified the cinema's managers, who in turn should have stopped her and, having failed, should have expelled her. Or, the women should have confronted her afterward and told her sternly but not abusively that it was wrong of her to disturb other audience members.

Etiquette is a scarce commodity when a society is undergoing upward mobility. Courtesy may be taught in schools, but what about adults? One may find that those most prone to such social violations in China are senior citizens. Whenever there is a line, it is often the grandpas and grandmas who do not hesitate to jump it.

Consider this a survival instinct. In the past, they were conditioned to fight for what little was distributed among them. Coupled with China's tradition of respect for elders, things can get complicated.

The above story would have taken on an extra layer of moral complexity had the two women been of a younger generation. In that case, even a stern warning would have been out of place. About the only option left would be a gentle reminder.

We all have a Qin inside us. For any street intersection with properly installed traffic signals, there are always pedestrians who ignore the red lights. You can break these jaywalkers into several categories: those who totally disregard the signs and would rather do a ballet of dodging incoming traffic; those who believe in the power of the masses and go with a crowd in violation of traffic laws; and those who cross on a red light but make sure they are safe. Only a few hold their ground until the light turns green.

Meanwhile, this season's most dramatic rule-breaker - who was unconventionally and tragically punished - was the man who tried to circumvent the ticket office at a wildlife park by scaling a high wall. He ended up being mauled by a tiger. He died, and the tiger was put down.

Humanitarians defended the man by blaming the 130-yuan ticket price. Pitted against them were the animal lovers and advocates of rules who saw the tiger's man-eating as nature righting what was wrong.

While it would be cruel to wish a person to be beaten or killed for poor etiquette, I admit that sometimes I do wish cellphone interlopers in cinemas or live theaters would inadvertently drop their gadgets.

In 2015, Broadway star Patti Lepone snatched a phone from an audience member who had been using it during the show. She interrupted a number in a 2009 show to demand that another theatergoer be removed. While it is bad to point one's camera at the screen or stage, it is equally rude to use one's phone for texting. In the dark the greenish lights from small screens is very distracting. From the stage it probably looks like a blinking shop of horrors.

For virtually every show I attend, live or on film, there is always a person or two, usually young, who never stop checking WeChat.

In my opinion, they are much worse than the picture-takers. The latter at least love your show; they just don't know how to express that affection in an appropriate way. The former, by contrast, carry an air of condescension or even disdain, as if to say: "You see, I'm such a big shot that I have to attend to matters of great importance all the time. But I still bought a ticket for your show. However, the world will not survive if I stop issuing orders for two hours."

Perhaps the busy WeChat user is madly in love or has just been jilted by a lover. If so, she should not be in the theater in the first place. "A show is not as important as your love life," I have wanted to shout at such people on many occasions.

If violations such as snapping photos during a show are commonplace, perhaps the rules of etiquette ought to be re-examined. If disturbances can be managed, wouldn't they provide free publicity for the show? Honestly, I feel a strict no-photo policy is passe.

I have noticed that several stage shows, including the touring production of Mama Mia! and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre's Water Moon, reserved the encore or the last number for audience shutterbugs or other forms of participation.

Having been informed that this opportunity would come, they behaved extremely well during the performance.

Movies, especially comedies, can leave the end credits for a similar purpose. This part nowadays often incorporates outtakes or factoids. It could be a fun way to end a moviegoing experience if Eddie Peng addressed his female fans like Qin, either in or out of character, and facilitated a Kodak moment.

Contact the writer at raymondzhou@chinadaily.com.cn