Packed lunch is sad

[Ribrabrob]

I went to a theme park with a friend recently, fully prepared to buy lunch when I was there however arrived to pick her up and there she was with a bag full of homemade sandwiches and packet of crips each I was grateful, of course, for the time effort and money on her part but I couldn't help feeling a little dissapointed - what's the harm in buying food out?

Its always been the case that I can't help but feel a little sad when I see families on a day out at a theme park, zoo for example, sat on a bench eating (warm?) sandwhcihes wrapped in foil with a fruit shoot.

I had the type of childhood where this was common place - packed lunch for every occasion, no need to eat out becaus there was 'food at home' or it was 'too expensive' (despite no money worries) etc so I suppose it's kind of stuck with me and I don't want that kind of life.

Aibu to think that if you can afford a day at the zoo etc, then spending a little bit extra on some food is no big deal? Aibu to think that life is too short to spend time making a sand which/salad to take on a day out, when really you can just spend a bit of extra money and have the hassle taken away? It just seems so strange to me and as though people try and suck all enjoyment out of life.

[OccasionalNachos]

Maybe your friend doesn’t find it a hassle.
Maybe she is temporarily short of money (or long term... you wouldn’t necessarily know)
Maybe she had half a load of bread that needed using up...

I agree it’s nice to have a treat of lunch out sometimes, or whenever you can, but it’s not feasible for everyone all the time!

YABU to think life is too short to make your own food...

[CodenameVillanelle]

That's a weird perspective
There is plenty of joy in a day out even with a packed lunch! I don't get your point of view, but you're entitled to it. Just don't expect anyone to share it. I wouldn't appreciate being pushed into buying lunch out but you could always offer to buy lunch for your friends in future if it's that important to you.

[ivykaty44]

I often find food at theme parks and zoo is fast food type and would rather my own. Recently came home on a 10 hour flight and my dd packed me some delicious food - was far better to me than the free food each side of me

It depends on the circumstances

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Some people prefer picnics fo fast food available in theme parks and zoos.

[Needajob1]

We can only afford trips the the zoo etc because we take a packed lunch with us. Just because you can afford the extras it doesn't mean everyone else can. YABU.

[ExsandOhOhOhs]

Aibu to think that if you can afford a day at the zoo etc, then spending a little bit extra on some food is no big deal?

YABU.

I would rather have two trips out with 2 packed lunches than pay for sub standard food.

FYI - we use Ice packs. Its all in the preparation. We take lovley food.

[Sofasurfingsally]

Theme park food plays havoc with your waist line, and often isn't healthy.

[noenergy]

YABVU by saying this. I only go to theme parks using a buy one get one free voucher or Tesco club card deals as I resent paying the extortionate prices for 5 of us to get in. Although I can afford to pay full price if really needed. So on top of that the price of food is even more extortionate for the quality you are getting.

We generally take a few snacks with us and get snacks at theme parks, we are too busy trying to do all the rides to bother about a full on lunch. And anyway my kids can be a bit fussy so why bother.

You sound like a bit of a snob, by implying that if you can afford to go to a theme park you can afford to eat there, not everyone has that extra bit of money to spend. Does that mean they shouldn't go to theme parks?

[Sunnysidegold]

I don't think it's sad at all. And it was thoughtful of your friend to make you a lunch too.

Food at places like that can be expensive for what you get and not necessarily what everyone wants to eat.

Maybe you friend could have told you she was bringing lunch and then you wouldn't have been disappointed to not have had a bought lunch.

Sometimes the cost of lunch and coffees or ice cream can add up to what you paid to get in!

[PatriciaHolm]

You really think a packed lunch sucks all the joy out of being at a theme park? How odd.

YABU. Most of the food at theme parks is overpriced crap. We used to go to chessington frequently (annual pass holders) so often took sandwiches as the food is generally pants, not great for vegetarians and involved long queues. Where's the fun in that?

[Chocolatecake12]

Lots of people take their own food because of allergies.

[blackcat86]

At that sort of attraction purchased food tends to be overpriced junk. Sensible people bring a nice packed lunch especially if they have young children who they dont fed a lot of processed crap. If there was somewhere decent to eat I wouldn't mind but there rarely is. I guess it depends if you don't mind paying x3 the average price for a burger and chips.

[Sparklingbrook]

I tend to not take a packed lunch because I CBA to carry it around with me or trudge back to the car for it.
But as PPs said the food on offer at theme parks etc isn't always great.

That said I am now lucky that I don't have to go to zoos and theme parks any more.

[Birdie6]

I hate spending money on crappy takeaway food at theme parks, etc. Home made sandwiches are usually much nicer. I pack a freezer brick in the sandwich box so they are fresh and nice. You don't have to wait in a queue for them either.

[echt]

If you had certain expectations about lunch for this trip you need to have discussed it with your friend beforehand.

If you felt so sad for your friend, you should have treated her.

Not sure why you think homemade food, as opposed to bought is as though people try and suck all enjoyment out of life Maybe they like their own food. Maybe they can't afford theme park shite food.

[msannabella]

Weird perspective. Some people prefer a packed lunch to the reheated rubbish on offer at places like theme parks and zoos. While I enjoy eating out a fair share, my kids beg me to have a "picnic lunch" when we go out places like this. Also with 3 of them, saving the 40-50 pounds on lunch means they can get a treat or a toy.

[SoupDragon]

It just seems so strange to me and as though people try and suck all enjoyment out of life.

Do you find joy in shit, overpriced food then? Surely the enjoyment part is being out with friends/family.

[Kungfupanda67]

I take a picnic wherever we go and my kids love it - I’d rather not spend £25 on top of what we’ve paid for a crap lunch from the zoo cafe.
Also when you’ve got little kids they are often perpetually hungry. Picnics have the advantage of being able to stop for something to eat little and often, rather than one lunch. Mine usually end up having about 5 picnics when we go out because they’re hungry for the whole day

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Maybe she’d prefer to pick her restaurants rather than have to eat at the substandard ones at the theme park. Packed lunch also takes less time.

[Vulpine]

I agree op. Its all part of the day out.

[KatherineJaneway]

I actually get where you are coming from. My family was the same, you'd see kids eating hot dogs, burgers or chips but it was 'too expensive' or 'I could make that better at home'. I don't blame my parents, that's how they were brought up, but occasionally it would have been nice to try a burger or hot dog as a treat and to feel / be like everyone else.

[Sadie789]

I’m with you OP... I have never been a packed lunch type person. I am not organised enough to have the right things to put in a packed lunch nor enough time to prepare it, I would never inflict my crappy sandwiches on other people, and I would factor in the cost of buying lunch at whatever venue or attraction I was going to. I would see it as part of the day out.

[Lanaa]

As everyone else has said YABU. Maybe your culinary skills aren't up to scratch, but there is nothing better than a lovely homemade picnic. The cheap and nasty fayre found at theme parks etc doesn't compare to a home made sandwich made on fresh sourdough with real butter, naice ham, ripe tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, a generous dollop of mayo and a twist of black pepper. I'm pretty sure most people have a coolbox, so the sandwiches and lashings of lemonade stay cool all day too.

[IAmAlwaysLikeThis]

We do packed lunch/meals out split maybe 50/50.

Most of the time when we do eat at the theme park or whatever, I wish we'd just brought packed lunch instead. It's usually pretty grim fare that you can buy.