Cinema munchies?

[Toast3]

I feel like a moaning ole bag so thought I'd seek opinion from the aibu mn's...
went to the cinema this pm with 2 friends...FFS munching, slurping, crunching, lip smacking people all around us! It was driving me nuts...I could barely concentrate with all the rustling and 'squanching'! One of my friends thought it was hilarious that I was getting so peed off... WIBU??

Years ago I was so incensed with the rustling of pick and mix bags I wrote to the cinema. I suggested they use tubs for sweets to stop the noise and the tubs would ultimately make patrons put more in which would lead to greater profits.

I'm not sorry if people now over estimate the weight and price of sweeties.

I wear ear defenders at the cinema. Films are so bloody loud these days. I can still hear the film but it cuts out ambient sounds.

I don't mind people eating popcorn.

But it seems at the cinema I'm always within spitting distance of people who shovel it down their gullet as though they've never eaten before, and because they thrown it in so fast they can't breathe properly so sort of snort. It's really vile.

It's more 'hand in massive bucket' than 'hand in hand' yoo.

A good reason why the best time to go and see a film, is on a Tuesday afternoon as it's just about to reach the end of its run.

On the rare occasion I go the the cinema I do like to have a delicious snack or two, it's part of the enjoyment for me, but I make sure it's never a crunchy, slurpy, or rustly sounding snack. And I'm in a near empty cinema on a Tuesday afternoon so there's no one to annoy

But far worse, it has become a real thing at THE THEATRE!!!

This drives me insane. I can handle popcorn at the cinema, but food is not needed at the theatre. I went to a show a few months ago, and the woman behind me pulls out a massive bag of potato chips and they start passing it back and forth between the kids. "I want some" "My turn" "Gimme them". She really couldn't see the issue when I told her to put the damn things away. After intermission, out comes the big bag of party mix. Her kids ate for the whole duration of the show (Which didn't even start until 8pm at night). Totally unnecessary, and I felt sorry for the performers, as she was in the second row.

I am able to tune out other noises and just focus on the film. Others find that almost impossible.

My ex husband was so unpleasant to sit with - tutting and scowling and glaring at people for eating - I ended up refusing to go to the movies with him at all.

You're all going to hate me but I think eating and drinking junk food is all part of the cinema experience. It's not like it's a new thing - cinemas have always sold snacks and drinks - so you knew they would be eating and drinking around you when you chose to go.

I actually think the people who get annoyed by it are much ruder. It's like going to a restaurant and getting annoyed by other people chatting. If you want to watch a film without other people eating then get it on DVD. But don't go to the cinema and then squirm and tut because other people are showing normal cinema behaviour.

I got to the silver screening during the day, it's utter bliss. I never heard one person eating during a screening.

It's a shame 'normal cinema behaviour' ruins the experience for some, but waiting for the film to appear on Sky Box Office is exactly what I do.

Then I can watch the film in peace at a normal volume without antisocial strangers.

Come to France! Far fewer people take snacks into the cinema here.

When I still lived in the UK I remember there was a huge amount of space in every cinema dedicated to selling food and drink, and really long queues to buy stuff every time.

Here, cinemas do still sell popcorn, drinks, sweets etc but the space for concessions is much much smaller and fewer people actually buy stuff, it's mostly kids. Snacking generally isnt really part of the culture here.

I do feel like French cinemas show more ads though, maybe they have to to make up for the money they're not earning on concessions...

I have medium hearing loss and recently started to wear hearing aids, I can now tune in to the 'hearing link' in cinemas, theatres etc. it is heaven! all I can hear is what I am supposed to be hearing, and really clear and true, from the film or performance, no rattling crisp packets or random chattering.

Thanks for all the responses... good to know it's not just me it annoys...
I think the problem is that there is just so much food to choose from now...the odd bucket of popcorn or a drink isn't an issue but now it's a huuuge bucket of popcorn (that lasts forever) and all the packaged rustly sweets and hot smelly food are just too much for me...
As I said, I'd happily pay more for a food free showing - maybe one day it will catch on. Until then I'll 'vote with my feet', and do as someone up thread suggested, and just get it on sky box office in future!

Haven't been to the cinema in years. Partly because of the incessant nose bagging and partly because someone always feels it's the ideal spot for an in-depth analysis of some tedious RL drama.

Just wait for films to hit the TV/streaming services now. Far better for my blood pressure.

I do wish they had snack free screenings. It's ok if the cinema is sort of empty, but if you're forced to sit next to someone it's awful. I sat next to a guy once who was sucking each individual piece of popcorn, then licking his fingers. Aaaagh!

Hot food is really unnecessary too. I went to the cinema in America and people were eating things like pizza and chicken dippers. The place stank.

Dh suggested this morning that cinema seats have headphone jacks, so those who don't want to hear the eating and chatting can put their headphones on and not be disturbed.

I think the problem is made worse by having allocated seating.
Years ago if someone was particularly annoying you could just move away - even if you had to put up with a worse view.
Now with seats being chosen when you buy them you can't do this otherwise you may end up in someone else's seat and get turfed out.

Julii - your DH's idea is a good one!