4. We Relish Intelligent Cinematic Competition and Debate and Can Turn into Total Jerks About It
If you haven't noticed, movies are a pretty big deal around here. And cinephiles will get exceptionally riled up about film the same way teenagers with access to the Internet get riled about politics. We love debate, and we love winning even more. We love the engagement and hearing opinions, because it makes us feel like we're actually using our "movie knowledge" in everyday life. But if you know something about movies that you know this cinephile is getting wrong, then don't back down. Don't let it go. Are you listening? DO NOT LET THE CINEPHILES WIN. We talk about movie themes and styles and directorial choices like we were there first hand, and we need to be pulled back, sometimes. Because, no, we don't know everything, but we do need moments where we act like we do. It's therapeutic for us, and having these conversations with us will makes us feel comfortable with you in the end. But if you always let us win, we'll start to shut down in future debates. We'll have a tendency not to listen to you, despite how well-argued you may have become. Don't concede. Don't let us win. And please, please love us anyway.