Proper Etiquette for Discussing Books and Movies

I was working in an office at a client site recently when the topic of the Harry Potter books and movies came up. The most recent movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince had just opened the night before, so a few people in our conference room decided to chat about it.

One woman in particular was very talkative during this discussion. She obviously had seen the other movies with her children and was looking forward to seeing the new one. As the discussion progressed, she did something that left me stunned...she blurted out one of the major events from the book/movie. We're talking one of those things that could potentially ruin the experience completely for anyone who doesn't read the books but does enjoy seeing the movies. I couldn't believe it.

And what happened next was just as confusing. She then went on to blurt out a major part of the final book. Instead of just having the normal discussion about the final Harry Potter story, such as mentioning that the final book is being made into two movies or "My, how the actors have grown up," she leaked essential pieces of the story...again!

Now some people may disagree with me, but I think it's just common sense and polite etiquette to avoid blurting out any major details about books or movies in front of large groups of people. This statement especially applies to movies that are still in the theater! The likelihood that everyone with interest has already seen the movie is very unlikely, especially when the movie was just released the night before (and on a week night).

So, as a takeaway, please note that it is a faux pas to blurt out major elements in books or movies to anyone unless a person specifically asks you and no innocent bystander will get hurt in the process. It may not be that big of a deal to some people, but to me, it's just plain rude. For certain people, books are just books and movies are just movies, but for others of us, the opportunity to dive headfirst into a story, to be encapsulated within it like one of the characters, is special.

I'd like to tell you which two major parts she blurted out from Harry Potter stories, but then I would be breaking my own rule. Send me a message if you're curious. If you know the stories, you'll be shocked that she would just blurt this stuff out!