An ode to the movie theatre

That contact alone would see you through the week in a dreamy daze. Some guys were luckier than most, some got her head on their shoulders and when that happened to you, you would not dare move your shoulder even when it was cramping and your blood circulation there was ceasing.

Hell, you would rather have had your arm amputated from getting numb because she leaned her head on it than say your shoulders were tired (think of the expression; “I would give an arm and a leg…”)

The very, very lucky guys got a kiss. And those are guys we worshipped back in the estates…even those who lied that they got kissed.

It is in these movie theatres that most of us learnt the delicate art of seduction, we learnt to read the body language of women who wanted to be held or the ones who wanted you to hold the popcorns.

Nevertheless, the movie experience represented a more wholesome courtship forum, a place where men and women would behave like humans, with the dignity that this exercise deserved.

It was a place where romantic relationships were nurtured and momentum set for further interactions. However, at some point, dating left the movie theatre and moved to the bar. Now the best icebreaker seems to be alcohol and “bend-over.”

Seduction has become lazy and drunken - even the sin tax that the Government constantly slaps on it never really adequately chastises it.

My movie guy might offer Hollywood on the cheap and some (like Njugush and his infamous Nokia charger) might even offer it for cheaper, but still there is an emptiness that marks the demise of this social institution. Going to the movies as a date represented dignified courtship, it said “Let’s spend time together and know each other.”

On the other hand, going for drinks as a form of a courtship seem to say, “Let’s cut to the chase,” or even worse, “Let’s hope the alcohol will drown my true personality…or better still, yours.”