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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that people should clean up after themselves in a cinema?

116 replies

Clandestino · 04/12/2016 18:46

Just came back from the cinema, saw Moana (fantastic movie, btw).
Families with little kids all around us, all with large. popcorn/drink combos or similar.
Now there will always be some spillage, especially with kids. But this wasn't only spilt popcorn or ice-cream. They simply got up and left all wrappers, drink cups and packaging behind.
AIBU to believe that teaching your children to take their trash with them and dump it into a bin outside is basic manners? How can they leave a room looking like a pigsty?

OP posts:
Original poster
Clandestino · 04/12/2016 19:20

There are no signs asking people to leave their rubbish behind for recycling. They simply leave it because they don't care.

OP posts:
gleam · 04/12/2016 19:23

We always take our stuff out and pop it in the bin. Occasionally, one of the cinema staff has been standing with an open bin bag, so we've used that and they said thank you. It would seem so rude just to leave rubbish strewn about the place. This is Cineworld, btw.

BoomBoomsCousin · 04/12/2016 19:27

Cinemas are the one place I leave all my rubbish too. I've always thought you were supposed to.

TheInternetIsForPorn · 04/12/2016 19:28

I leave my rubbish but I tidy all the loose bits into the popcorn tub. It's a compromise.

Deadsouls · 04/12/2016 19:28

YANBU - I don't understand it. My mum raised me not to throw litter or leave a mess. It's an anethema to me.

Oldraver · 04/12/2016 19:29

I am always gobsmacked at scutters walking away and leaving their rubbish, I think its really bad manners.

Then I read on MN that some places want you to leave your rubbish not convinced

reindeerbitesback · 04/12/2016 19:30

This sounds ridiculous, but I've NEVER taken rubbish out of the cinema with me. I thought it was the done thing to leave the rubbish behind.... (seeing as there are usually two or three attendants waiting by the door to clean up at the end of a screening).

I never leave it at McDonald's, trains, cafes or a service station restaurant/canteen though. Ever. I don't know what I think the difference is....

Sybys · 04/12/2016 19:31

When I lived in the UK, our local cinema was another that had an on-screen message asking people to leave their rubbish. I wouldn't leave rubbish behind in any other context, but most places don't specifically ask you to leave it!

HeCantBeSerious · 04/12/2016 19:32

It's too dark to see when you leave unless you wait for all the credits to end!

These days you're almost guaranteed to miss something if you don't wait till the end of the credits (including Moana Wink). Of the hundred or so people in our cinema this afternoon only the 4 of us stayed!

Ponyboycurtis · 04/12/2016 19:34

clandestino if said cinema is next to a Waitrose I absolutely agree - we were there and I said exactly the same on leaving, to be honest, it was a good film but a horrible environment today, which was a shame.

EweAreHere · 04/12/2016 19:35

We tend to put ours in the bin on the way out, but I have recently seen signs asking movie patrons not to do so ... they want to recycle a lot of it, and find collecting it easier.

AndNowItsSeven · 04/12/2016 19:36

Yabu my friend works at a cinema, if everyone cleaned up then they would let staff go.

HelenaWay · 04/12/2016 19:44

I always leave mine. Someone is employed at the cinema to pick up after me.

singme · 04/12/2016 19:44

The 5 live film podcast with Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo used to have a bit about this (called "the code" I think). Regularly cinema workers would say that clearing up one screen took them away from customer service in the other screens. Other things in the code included what you should and shouldn't eat in the cinema, and noise levels etc.

I used to go to a lovely cinema where they served wine and cheese boards, and you'd put your used glasses and plates etc on a shelf on the way out.

However I guess that the company wants to make money so i'm possibly being naive to think that staff would be reallocated to customer service if they didn't have to clear up Sad

galaxygirl45 · 04/12/2016 19:53

If there is a film out that I desperately want to see (last one was Spectre), I'll shell out the extra and go to the Screening Rooms which is so much more civilised than the dirty sticky nacho/hotdog stinking cinema that is next door to it. Why they need to sell anything other than sweets or popcorn is beyond me, and the mess people make then leave is outrageous. When our kids were little, we always made a point of finding a bin. I've heard it all now saying it's supposed to be left and give people a job Shock

whensitmyturn · 04/12/2016 19:55

I've always left rubbish too as has everyone I've ever gone to the cinema with! I thought it was just the done thing to be honest.
I'd pick things up that I've dropped on the floor but leave drinks/ wrappers in the drinks holder.
I've never seen bins in cinemas either?

Caboodle · 04/12/2016 19:57

Regarding it being too dark to pick it up...if you don't drop it in the first place you don't have to then search for it in the dark. I have also never seen a sign / announcement saying to leave it.

Glastonbury · 04/12/2016 19:59

I don't know where these cinemas people are going to that don't have bins. We have a Showcase, 2 Odeons and a Cineworld all within 30 minutes drive. They all have numerous bins. What a great example to show your children.

zad716 · 04/12/2016 20:11

I've always assumed cinemas would rather everyone (especially young children) got down the stairs in the dark quickly and safely than worry about taking their rubbish with them. Also the price cinemas charge for food and drink covers the cost of someone to tidy up afterwards.

GlitterGlue · 04/12/2016 20:46

We have four cinemas. They all have bins.

Although, thinking about it, one of the theatres expects people to leave (plastic) glasses under the seats. Presumably they are reused or recycled. I've never seen anyone leave a shit load of wrappers on the floor though. The other one doesn't allow in drinks from the bar, the big swizzers.

Evergreen17 · 04/12/2016 21:09

Think of it as giving them a job.

Also, just cos they do it at a cinema does not mean they do it at home. I always leave my rubbish in the cinema but that doesn't mean I love rubbish strewn all over my living room floor lol
ConfusedConfusedConfused say what????

Sometimes I wonder if I should move back to the mountains where nobody else was around

Evergreen17 · 04/12/2016 21:10

This happens on trains too

ForalltheSaints · 04/12/2016 21:10

YANBU.

StiginaGrump · 04/12/2016 21:13

Happens in the theatre too - the theatre! Don't get me started on the siding sweetie guzzling a
Wrapper rustling fools

Tarla · 04/12/2016 21:18

Vue cinemas specifically tell you to leave your rubbish, something about it making it easier for them to recycle it. They have an advert before every screening. The first time we went to a Vue I tried to bring my rubbish out to put it in the bin, the cinema worker standing near the exit took it off me and put it on the nearest empty seat, said to just leave it.

Our local McDonald's now also asks that you don't clear your own table, you're supposed to pile everything on the tray and leave it for a member of staff. They're trying to reduce how much waste they send to landfill so have little stations where they sort the rubbish into paper, plastic, cups, food, etc. I guess it's easier to have a member of staff do it so that it's done correctly.