Should outside food be allowed inside cinema halls or not?
60Picnic Going on in Aisle 4B
Cinemas are a business. Therefore, they get to control what comes into their business, especially food and drink from the outside.
America is a nation that can't sit for 90 minutes without getting up and browsing the 'fridge and cupboards for snacks. The Picture Show People know this and capitalize by putting up the food and beverage counter with all of its enticing goodies. How do we expect them to make money from us if we shortcut their business by bringing in our own food? That's practically unAmerican of us to cut out free enterprise.
Did I say free? Sorry, but not to us. Regardless of the high price of a ticket if we eat, we pay; if we sit, we pay. So there, however there is a big BUT in the middle of this. You are not forced to eat during the show, and if you have a big enough purse, you don't even have to concern yourself with their snack bar. Most people bring a little something along in their bags and they aren't being asked to turn everything out like at the airport, so who stops them.
I think it's irresponsible to bring in a pastrami on rye and a chocolate milk shake, but that's really no different than slipping in a Snickers bar for a mid movie bite. Food is food and if you break the rules, where should the end of that be? If pastrami is too redolent to bring into the theater, is Kentucky Fried Chicken in the big bucket better - less smelly maybe? That makes this kind of decision one that is based on being less offensive to your fellow theatre patrons, not on the economic policies of the theater owners.
It's funny because most people wouldn't slip out of one show and into another to see as many as they can pack into one afternoon. That would be stealing, but bringing in a clandestine snack is somehow different. Some argue high prices. Some say they can't find their favorites or want something else. In the end, it's the same thing as theater hopping. It takes away profit intended to keep the theater in business
The short answer to this question is that no it isn't right to sneak in snacks or bars or drinks. Just eat lunch before you go and you won't be hungry or tempted. The screen will still be just as magical without snacks of any kind. It's still cheap entertainment even if the ticket price has slid up over these past years,
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
In the UK, we pay upwards of £7 for a cinema ticket, then are expected to pay upwards of £5 for popcorn or a small drink. While in principle I don't agree with taking your own food in - kind of like taking your own tea bags to a cafe - with the prices being so high sometimes it's the only alternative. Snacking at the cinema is a tradition, and expecting the poorer cinema-goers not to do so isn't reasonable. Besides, how else would you have popcorn fights during the trailers? :-D
Since the big RECESSION of '08-'09 I think about going to movies but then I consider the price - yes I'd want a snack too, and then I stay home with the television. But for a fairly economic date night it's not terribly. Personally, after 40 years of marriage, what's date night?
Taking kids to the movies is ridiculous. I take them over the to LA Art Museum whenever I can and we watchmovies that are oldies but goodies for less than a price of a snack at the local cinema. Libraries have movie nights - cheap - but I will admit, going to a movie is not what it used to be financially.
i think it should be allowed good topic
jim10 says:
11 months ago
If the prices weren't outrageuos I would happily buy snacks and food when I see a movie. This is part of the reason people are staying at home with their big screen tv instead of heading out to a movie. I have 3 kids. If I don't bring in any candy or soda I will be paying at least $4 for each drink. $6 for a popcorn and $3.50 for each to get a little box of candy. At my local grocery store they sell the exact same boxes of candy for $1.00. I would consider myself an idiot to pay $3.50 instead $1.00. When you go to a movie with kids they expect to have the whole experience and that would be getting snacks too. I feel it is wrong for the movie theater to rip people off. Maybe they are compensating for ticket prices. But who knows. I know I can't use half my paycheck at the movies just because I shouldn't sneak in reasonably priced candy. To be honest I usually bring in candy for the kids and a drink for myslef. For the kids I will get a popcorn to split and an Icee drink for each. But if they wanted soda I would carry it in. Even if that means wearing a large jacket with lots of pockets in the summer. Do you know hom much it costs to make popcorn? It costs pennies maybe a quarter if you add butter, yet they sell it for $6.00.
I prefer Chunky's or a small old theater whenever possible. They both have reasonable prices but are a lot further away. Chunky's has great food for lunch and dinner at reasonable prices and their movie tickets are cheap. A small theater in Arlington MA is called The Capitol. It has the best popcorn with real butter and they have reasonable prices and a cool old theater atmosphere.