Last year (summer 2003), I went back to Penang during my school holidays. One fine evening, my family and I decided to watch a movie at the Mega Pavilion cinema at Tanjung Tokong. The movie, SWAT was rated 18 and above, so imagine my surprise when I was seated next to a Chinese family of five - three adults and two children below 10 years old sharing three seats.

The children were chattering away before the movie started. When the movie was playing, the children started asking the parents questions. I was pretty upset as I could not hear the conversation by the actors. I tried to hush the children by saying "Shhh!" several times. The mother, who was sitting next to me, raised her voice and screamed, "What the hell are you shh-ing about? These are just children."

I told her that the children are not supposed to watch such movies and that I was trying to concentrate on the movie. Instead of apologising, the parents glared and shouted at me. I tried reasoning with them but they were so argumentative that I had to move to another seat to avoid more troubles.

I do not understand why the employees of these cinemas allowed children under 18 to watch this movie. I have written a letter of complaint to mega Pavilion and The Star . I have yet to receive any replies from the company. I am very disappointed with this cinema. On the other hand, there are not many other cinemas to choose from.

So, what is the solution when such companies refuse to enforce the written rules? Customers like me will have to resort to watching movies at home and the cinemas will lose their customers. Why pay RM8 to watch a movie amidst ringing mobile phones, people talking when I have the comfort of my home?