The cinema awards season has culminated in the Oscars, and we’re all talking about films. Many of us will be planning to visit the cinema to see some of the prize-winning movies, film critics are offering their own opinions all over the media, and groups of friends are discussing the merits (or not) of the most acclaimed movies.

Cinema is a great shared experience: movie-lovers enjoy the communal aspect, the expectant hush, the shared laughter, the super-charged atmosphere. Many of us are now able to stream a vast selection of movies at home, and we have screens and sound systems that are more than capable of giving us a high-quality experience, but it is not the same. At home, we can multitask as we watch, talk back at the screen, pause the movie so we can replenish our glasses. This is all perfectly enjoyable, but it is very different from sharing the experience, however anonymously, with a large number of other people.

It is extremely important to differentiate between home and cinema, and to moderate your behaviour accordingly. Basic cinema etiquette seems obvious, but we have all experienced anti-social behaviour in cinemas and come away feeling frustrated by our fellow audience-members. So, observe the following cinema etiquette:

• Arrive on time

It is fine to come into the cinema during the trailers and adverts, where there is a general acceptance that people are still talking and settling in, but it is annoying if you start squeezing down the rows and blocking the screen after the film has started.

• Don’t be a space-invader

Your ticket entitles you to a seat and, generally, an armrest (there’s no rule about which armrest is rightfully yours, so you might need to politely negotiate with your neighbour). It does not entitle you to dump all your belongings on the adjacent vacant seat or to drape your coat over the back of the seat in front of you, which means the person sitting there cannot lean back. Don’t sprawl and impinge on other people’s space and never kick or interfere with the seat in front.

• Take off your hat

Remove all headgear – especially if you’re tall. Needlessly blocking the screen will really antagonise the person behind you.

•Plan your exit

If you fear that you will need to go to the loo during the film, try and secure an aisle seat so that you minimise disruption.

• Turn off your phone

While chatting on the phone, or using audible ringtones, is now considered an obvious offence (with cinemas screening reminders before the film begins), remember that silently scrolling on your phone during the movie is distracting because it will emit a bright light. Taking photos or short videos during movies is also frowned upon. If you don’t want to switch off completely, turn your phone to silent and put it away.

• Eat considerately

Most cinemas ply us with a range of refreshments and rely on these purchases to boost flagging income. Whether you’re rattling your way through a giant bucket of popcorn, noisily sucking up the last dregs of a fizzy drink through a straw, or audibly rustling sweet wrappers, be aware that you might be disturbing near neighbours. Try and reserve your noisiest consumption for passages of the film where the soundtrack will obliterate your munching.

• Minimise talking

Generally, whispering the odd comment or question to your companion is tolerable, but a running – and audible – commentary is not. Remind yourself that you are not slumped on the sofa at home, where there are endless distractions and films can be paused and interrupted. People sitting around you have paid for the big screen, wrap-around audio experience and they will be irritated if your chatting is interfering with their enjoyment. A very British reaction is to turn around and glare at the offender. If you see someone deploying this technique, accept that you’ve transgressed and concentrate on the movie; do not react by upping the volume and volubility.

• Take your rubbish

Of course, cinemas employ staff to clear up at the end of each showing, but it is only polite to assist them by taking out empty cups, wrappers and popcorn buckets. Turn-arounds between showings are often very tight, so every little helps.

What to Do if You Hate the Movie

We’ve all been to movies that we have really hated. If you’re on your own, or with someone who clearly feels the same (a discreet whispered consultation might be necessary), you might decide to cut your losses and leave the cinema. Do so with the minimum of fuss – no huffing and puffing or audible statements of disappointment.

But what if the rest of your party, or your partner or companion, really loved the film? There is often an awkward moment as you exit the cinema when the big question “What did you think?” is popped. While there’s no reason to hide your criticisms behind bland platitudes, this is a situation where you might need to tread carefully and diplomatically. Make a few tentative, probing comments first: “I’m not sure…”, “It wasn’t quite my cup of tea”. “Well – romcoms aren’t really my thing”. These comments are innocuous but telling.  If your companions violently disagree, they can make an informed decision about whether they want to get into a full-blown argument with you, or they can choose to draw a veil over the whole proceeding and say something that shuts down the conversation like “Well, I really liked it, but we’ll have to agree to differ” and you can move, harmoniously, on.

If you’re a standout critic of the film you’ve just seen, and are surrounded by satisfied enthusiasts, don’t spend the rest of the evening haranguing your friends about the awfulness of the film, minutely outlining your criticisms, heedless of the prevailing mood around the table. It will just ruin your evening and will get you nowhere (you’re unlikely to change their minds).

If they’re prepared to indulge in an animated discussion about the film, it’s another matter. Stick to your ground and enjoy the conflict – you have been invited to defend your position and other people are clearly interested in hearing your point of view.

Finally, if you are the organiser of a trip to the cinema and you are faced with the obvious grumpiness and dissatisfaction of some of your party after you exit the cinema, do not let them make you feel guilty. You can acknowledge their criticism (“I’m sorry you didn’t like it, but I certainly did!”) and leave it at that. If they’re making you feel bad, consider that the fault is with them and they’re being rude – we’re all adults, and must take responsibility for our own decisions when it comes to choosing our entertainment. If it all goes wrong, sulking is not the best way of redeeming the experience.