Texas man suing date for texting during movie

May 17 (UPI) -- A Texas man is suing a woman for the $17.31 he spent on a date where he claims she texted throughout the movie they attended together.

Brandon Vezmar of Austin alleges in his lawsuit that he met the woman on dating app Bumble and they went on a first date to eat pizza and watch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 at a movie theater.

The lawsuit alleges the woman opened her phone to read and send text messages 10 to 20 times during the film.

Court papers filed by Vezmar state texting is "in direct violation of the theater's policy, [adversely] affecting the viewing experience of plaintiff and others.

"While damages sought are modest," the lawsuit reads, "the principle is important as defendant's behavior is a threat to civilized society."

"I said 'listen, your texting is driving me a little nuts' and she said 'I can't not text my friend.' I said 'maybe you can take it outside to the lobby, I've seen people get kicked out movies for this,'" Vezmar told KVUE-TV.

Vezmar said the woman then left the theater and did not return.

He said he decided to file the lawsuit after the woman declined to reimburse him for the $17.31 he spent on movie tickets.

"I am fully aware of the weirdness of this situation," Vezmar said.

The woman issued a statement in response to the lawsuit:

"I did have a very brief date with Brandon, that I chose to end prematurely. His behavior made me extremely uncomfortable, and I felt I needed to remove myself from the situation for my own safety. He has escalated the situation far past what any mentally healthy person would. I feel sorry that I hurt his feelings badly enough that he felt he needed to commit so much time and effort into seeking revenge. I hope one day he can move past this and find peace in his life."

The woman denied texting as much as Vezmar alleges. She said her phone was only open two or three times during the film.

"I had my phone low and I wasn't bothering anybody," she told the Austin American-Statesman. "It wasn't like constant texting."

The lawsuit has elicited a range of responses online, with some -- including Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn -- applauding Vezmar for taking a stand against texting during movies, while others accuse him of sexist entitlement for suing a woman over a bad date.