We stayed through every credit for a possible scene while the theater staff waited on us

My family has developed a rule that nobody leaves a movie until every credit ends. Sometimes there is an extra scene. Sometimes we simply enjoy the music and look for names we recognize. Usually a few other people remain, so the habit feels ordinary.

At a late screening last weekend, we were the only five people still seated. The house lights came up. Two employees entered with trash bags and waited near the aisle while the credits continued. My brother whispered that leaving would be foolish because we had already waited several minutes and the scene might appear at the very end.

No scene appeared. When we left, the lobby was nearly empty and the employees immediately entered our row. My brother said cleaning time was part of the theater schedule and that customers were entitled to watch the entire presentation they purchased.

He is correct that credits are part of the movie, not an error guests must rush past. The workers never asked us to leave or acted impatient. Still, our choice had an obvious effect on people closing the room after the final screening.

The easiest solution would have been checking whether an extra scene existed. My brother dislikes doing that because even a yes-or-no answer changes the anticipation. Another option is moving to the aisle or back of the room so cleaning can begin without anyone working around us.

I do not want courtesy to become an assumption that credits are disposable. I also do not want “we paid” to become a universal answer whenever staff must wait.

Is staying through the full credits always a normal use of a movie ticket, or does a nearly empty late screening create a small obligation to make closing easier? What would a considerate credit-watcher do?