What a drag. I mean, yes, there are much larger problems in life, but it's a drag. You're feeling all nice in your new skirt, it's like a little something extra specially added to your day that moves withyou, and you are all dressed nice and it gets ruined. Bye bye new spcial fancy item of clothing. And you put effort into getting it fixed, to no avail. It won't hold the same magic again. And the people whose fault it is can't do a thing. And you think "if only" and "what if" and feel silly for focusing on this given the big scheme of things, but the skirt made you feel nice and it is important. What a drag.

Why is it that these things happen so often in theater seats, anyway?

Yes, I agree, let them know what happened so they'll know.

I think you are a mentch for your position on not wanting to ask for a reimbursement.

Do you only wear skirts/dresses? (You mentioned something earlier w/r/t pedometers.)