Going out for extra snacks during the film and ‘stealing’ seats

"Extra snacks" implies she already had some snacks at the start. So three lots of snacks in about 2 hours??? Is she obese?

I don't understand why someone will pay to see a film and get up and down and miss chunks of it, except for urgent toilet trips. It's also annoying for those around you.

As for "stealing" cheap seats, what a pillock. If they are there for anyone to buy its not stealing anything.

Deadpool?

It Ends With Us?

(Guessing as both are 15s, with violence and "adult themes" in parts)

I stopped going to the cinema because of all the noisy eating going on around me.

Am I the only person who doesn’t care about the snack/seats scenario and just wants to know what OP saw…?

How is it stealing seats if they're the ones you've booked? I'd pay for the cheaper ones too as long as I was happy enough with them! Not sure what she's on about with that one. As for getting more snacks I think it's not ideal but not exactly rude. Unless it was a bad movie I wouldn't want to miss it to get more snacks.

I have never ever been slightly bothered about what anyone else at the cinema is doing. Does it bother you when they need a piss too?

I wonder if people are nipping out during the film to see if the food queue has died down rather than going back for seconds

I think you're being weird about the snacks and she's being weird about the seats.

Cinemas make their money from food and drink. If it was restricted or stopped completely, the cinemas would possibly go bust so there wouldn’t be a film to see at all.

Get yourself a Meerkat movies discount and you get 2 seats for the price if 1 on Tues and Weds. Cheaper than staying at home.

@EsmeSusanOgg as we all do with little ones.
I would get to the cinema, get the tickets and snacks, take them straight to the toilets, then to the corresponding room.
Trying to avoid getting up during the film.
But, of course, with little ones you never can be sure.
This was a full grown woman, not going to the toilet, but for snacks! Snacks!

We take aisle seats when going with kiddo (aged 6) because he may need a loo break. Though we're obviously going to see family films, so littles going in and out for a quick pee are fairly standard.

Seems weird to pop out for more snacks!

Our local Vue has rows of £4.99 seats. They're open to everyone. They'd rather a fuller screening than charging more.

About the cheaper seats, well done to you for taking them! I think cinemas will soon be a thing of the past.

You do not get up during a film in a cinema at least you seriously need the toilet, you are seriously ill or need to go home because you are about to die.
No way anyone should just be popping out for snacks!

Cinemas are losing business and barely surviving as more and more people chose to stay home and watch streaming services. The £4.99 seats are to incentivise people back into the cinema. They are for anyone and everyone and cinemas are not targeting people on low incomes. They are desperate for anyone to fill the seats.

First come first served on the cheap seats!
The best experience I’ve ever had at the cinema was in Cineworld. Took DS and at the time he was really struggling with his mental health. He had a massive panic attack and we had to leave. On our way out a member of staff asked if everything was ok. I explained what had happened. They , straight away escorted us to the access box and we got to watch the film, just the 2 of us in a private room. That persons kindness meant so much to me at such a bleak time.

Getting up for more snacks doesn’t sound great. I mean how much sustenance do you need to have to spend 2-3 hours sitting down on a comfortable seat?

I don't know if it still does but the commodore in Aberystwyth used to always have intermission and sell snacks out of a little hatch. Also you couldn't book tickets online, you had to queue up (often sold out before you go to the front if it was a new/popular film), and people used to get dressed up and cheer etc at big films like James Bond or whatever. This was less than 10 years ago, not in the 1950s...but tbf there's not that much to do in Aber!

OP your friend is a bit mad, and if she's worried about taking advantage of poorer people she shouldn't have let you pay for her seat!

Technically there's nothing wrong with going up and getting more food, and, having worked in a cinema, food and drink is where cinemas make nearly all of their profit, so people doing so are keeping it in business and essentially keeping your £4.99 seats the price they are. But personally I think it's a bit sad that people can't go 2hrs without needing that much food!

Agree, and so many people on their phones throughout, scrolling, messaging, whatever it is they are doing! It is actually quite hard to focus on the film now. It used to be that you felt people’s main reason for being there was to actually watch the film, but now that seems to be competing with eating, talking, scrolling, etc. 🙄

This. 100%

You aren't at home. You shouldn't get up from your seat during a film unless unavoidable. And if course you book any seats that are available to you. People have no idea how to behave in public since Covid.

I often find in children's films kids going to the toilet which is normal and to be expected. I haven't noticed the getting snacks issue other than someone getting a drink before.

No way are there £40 cinema tickets at a Vue!