Crisps shouldn’t be allowed in the theatre

I wish people would stop saying that behaviour has got worse since Covid. People didn’t suddenly forget how to behave during Covid! There has been a steady decline in manners and consideration for others over the past 15/20 years. Society has become increasingly selfish and entitled. That is why Millennials are such an obnoxious generation of entitled snowflakes, and they are now introducing the next generation of selfish, self-important children, so things will only get worse.

A more neighbourly attitude does seem to still exist in smaller communities but in the cities, it’s a really unpleasant me, me, me attitude most of the time.

Considering people can hear from 3 floors up someone having a sip of juice or a bite of a snack I think you’ll manage.

@coffeegirl73 Oh, I am 100% with you! I spent £100 on a ticket to see 'Wicked' a couple of months back. The show was great. The audience were appalling! As you say, crisp munching through multipack bags, people whispering (or full on talking!) walking in and out during the show meaning everyone in the row had to keep getting up and down, playing on their phones during the performance, and several members of the audience around me didn't deign to clap at the end! I was so disgusted.

I've never been to a theatre performance with young children.

And childfree

Upthread I agree with you. But a glass of wine carried from the bar is probably ok. Otherwise one would not have time to drink it. None of the venues I frequent smell of beer and none of them allow food in the auditorium.

I don't understand your logic. Why would you make it harder for other people to enjoy a live performance? Children shouldn't be screaming (except children's performances or panto) and people shouldn't be on bright phones at the theatre or ballet. Cinema is rude enough if they're doing it without any care but at least it's expected that there will be snacks.

Watching Of Mice and Men once, when I woman came in (late) and proceeded to open a family sized bag of kettle chips…

That’s good they are still around, I don’t need to eat there either but go to a lot of shows and don’t mind others doing it. The performers are loud enough to drown it out. The venues probably think that it won’t put people off enough that they stop coming, and also they make money off the food sales.
I think the complainers need to direct their ire to the venues. If food is for sale people will buy it, and are being actively encouraged to

I won't go to anything 'popular' if I can avoid it for this reason, at least in the first few months. Best venue is the Wigmore Hall, where they don't even like you turning the page of the programme or score unless it's at a place where the ensemble and conductor would be doing so. No annoying distractions.

I avoid most musicals and films for this reason, but would quite like to see Oliver!

They are doing it, so I am doing it........... what are you 5???

Grow up

🙌

There shouldn’t be screaming kids or people with bright phones either!

Incredible argument though - “here is a thing that is bad. I shall make it worse.”

For people wondering what the actors think of it - they also hate it. They can see you on your phone. They can hear you talking or rustling. They are very aware of repeated toilet visits. And for gods sake, if you have a cough, please don’t inflict it on everyone else

I think they should have a choice. Some performances are food/drink/phone free and I would book those any time.

I can say the same with people and there phones on and kids that shout and scream yet mum and dad just sit and dont bat an eye.

I'd pay extra for a food free performance.

Anyone who slurps, chomps, rustles paper, chats, in my opinion, should be flogged!

Because you are part of the problem!

You are as bad as they are, you are common and have no manners!

Why pay to go to see a performance if you want to eat crisps all through it??

Have some bloody manners

Completely agree! Some people should know their limitations and stick to the cinema.

Slurping is common!

Having basic manners is a million miles from not having fun!

Ah that’s the attitude - “not my fucking problem I’ll do what I like”. 🙄

The fun is what we’re there to watch - since when has that needed to be accompanied by noisy snacks?

I dont drink wine but i like ice-cream.
If im going out im going out to have fun if others dont like it thats on them knowing what these`s places are like.
If i have to sit 45-60 minutes sometimes near people with screaming kids or bright phones on why should i care about eating crisp.

You’re unable to have fun for 45 minutes without eating or drinking something? Ice cream and a glass of wine in the interval is not enough fun?

Anyone who isn’t able to manage to not eat and drink for a short time while watching a performance has a serious problem, no?

How about popcorn pix&mix and large drinks that we slurp up.
Why dont we just make it illegal to have fun.

URGH YANBU

Noisy food should not be allowed into theatres. I think this has happened because people who aren’t used to going to the theatre confuse the experience with going to the cinema.

Also though, theatres selling this stuff doesn’t help! I was in a West End theatre recently and they were selling huge bags of sweets in the bar. I can only assume they’re forced to do it because money is so very scarce in the arts these days.