...according to Phaiwong Phubutta, 50
An usher does more than just collect tickets
Apart from collecting tickets from customers and guiding them to their seats, ushers [at Lido and Scala] are required to help the maids clean the movie theaters at the end of each screening. There are a few hundred seats in a theater at Lido, and around a thousand in a bigger theater like the Scala. It’s nearly impossible for the maids to clean up the entire space within 15 to 20 minutes before the next movie starts. Also, ushers need to take special care of the disabled who come to see the movies, from leading them to their seats to assisting them if they’d like to use the toilet during the screening.
Fewer people come to Lido than in the past
When I first started with this job 20 years ago, I was surprised by the massive number of people who would come to see movies at Lido. Tickets were usually sold out everyday, including extra seats. But there are now more options for moviegoers who can watch Hollywood movies in any shopping mall, so we only sell about 40 to 50 percent of seats on weekdays and 60 to 80 percent on weekends.
Sereechai Puttes
The audience is never to be left alone
There will always be one staffer sitting in the cinema throughout the screening in case of an emergency. There was a customer who came to see an action movie, and her muscles contracted up to the point that we needed to call an ambulance to pick her up. It was very fortunate that the person sitting next to her noticed her unusual posture and came to inform me.
Our shift lasts long, but we actually work only half of it
Even though my work shift lasts about 10 hours—starting before 12:00 and ending at 21:30 or a bit later—I don’t have to work all the time. For example, after I collect tickets at 12:00 and close the cinema doors at 12:30, I can go out for lunch, walk around, and come back at 14:00 when the movie finishes. Therefore, cinema ushers work only about five to seven hours a day. Plus, we get to watch all the movies for free.
Sereechai Puttes
We are always prepared for all unexpected events
In the case of an emergency, the lights will go on, and we will report the situation by announcing whatever is happening on the screen (with text and audio) followed by an apology. Then we lead them to the fire exit. If there’s a less critical emergency situation like a power cut, we have an uninterruptible power supply that will start working about two minutes after the power goes out and the movies will continue.
Phaiwong is an usher at Lido Multiplex
Sereechai Puttes