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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want to take my own food to the cinema?

322 replies

Butteredpars1ps · 29/12/2016 11:47

I suspect I am. But We are going to the cinema around lunchtime and I will be hungry. I don't like nachos, popcorn or hotdogs or anything else like to be on offer and I have a fridge full of lovely things left from Christmas.

Am I wrong to be tempted to smuggle in a cheese and pickle sarnie?

OP posts:
Keremy · 29/12/2016 14:20

Our cineworld doesn't give a crap. We always go to the nearby supermarket before and buy goodies and take them in. We do not even try and hide them. At a live showing of a concert recently people took bottles of wine and nibbles and all kinds!

BBCNewsRave · 29/12/2016 14:24

I read somewhere that all the food and drinks sold in cinemas actually makes more money than the films, which is why so many films are aimed at younger people, as they buy more...

reup · 29/12/2016 14:25

A cinema of my youth used to have a tea trolley go round during intermission! It was pretty unusual then.

To all the food at cinema haters on here - you would hate this place

www.odeon.co.uk/thelounge/

DeliciousIrony · 29/12/2016 14:28

A cheese and pickle sandwich is fine. I often take a drink in with me, and have been known to take some of my own snacks in my handbag. Never been caught or searched yet....

People eating in the cinema isn't a new thing, is it? I never really notice other people eating when the film gets going, I find things like people using their phones/taking and giggling much more distracting and irritating. I suppose most people could probably go 2 - 3 hours without eating, although some might not if they have specific health issues. But, for a lot of people, food enhances the enjoyment of the experience, the association of popcorn + cinema is very strong and they like it. As long as it's not a particularly smelly or noisy food, I don't see the problem.

I did once have the misfortune of sitting next to a couple eating a takeaway curry in the cinema though, which was distracting...mostly because I was astonished at their boldness!

GabsAlot · 29/12/2016 14:30

i wold and do take my own although i can go two hours without eating something

what gets on my nerves is teens that just start chatting halfway through and looking at their phones

expatinscotland · 29/12/2016 14:30

And the seat recline, reup. How fucking rude! No one will be able to engage with the film for all those inconsiderate cinema goers!

OhYouBadBadKitten · 29/12/2016 14:32

We went to see Rogue one last night. dd and dh both wanted cinema popcorn, I took in a box of after eight which I snuck in, in my handbag. I was a little startled to see a lady with a thermos flask tucked under her arm. Not sure how you could pour drinks in the dark.

charlestrenet · 29/12/2016 14:33

Eeeeeow and other slurp haters - no idea if it still happens but the cinema at the barbican in London used to have a no food and drink rule ... and ushers to police it. Twas lovely.

What I don't get is why traditional cinema food is either smelly (hot dogs), noisy (popcorn) or both (those fucking vile nachos with the chernobyl cheese).

canteatcustard · 29/12/2016 14:33

we bring our own stuff due to the severe food allergy situation for 2 of my kids and my own intol issues.

Christinayangstwistedsista · 29/12/2016 14:34

Reup

Yes, that's what they have in Singapore...its fab

IAmNotTheOneWhoKnocks · 29/12/2016 14:35

The volume of the film is usually loud enough to drown out all other noise anyway, in my experience.

JemimaMuddledUp · 29/12/2016 14:43

The amount of food consumed at chain cinemas is quite scary. It is obviously pushed by the cinemas as you don't see that level of overconsumption in the independents that we have locally.

My two local cinemas are both independent. One in town, one at the arts centre. At the town one we usually share a medium tub of popcorn or have an ice cream in the interval. Maybe a can of coke or a bottle of water too. At the arts centre we normally have either a small tub of sweets (100g ish) or an ice cream. If I go to an afternoon screening you get a free tea or coffee from the cafe so I have that instead.

Occasionally we go to the Vue cinema in a town around 1.5hrs away. There most people seem to have huge buckets of popcorn, hot dogs AND a huge soft drink each. It just seems to be the norm. Some clever marketing has gone on there to make it part of the cinema experience!

RebelRogue · 29/12/2016 14:46

I am fat and while i don't eat at the cinema,i do need a drink in 2 hours. Am i allowed in? Please..pretty please?

CaraAspen · 29/12/2016 14:51

OP

YABU

CaraAspen · 29/12/2016 14:52

You should buy food if you really need to when you are there.

Christinayangstwistedsista · 29/12/2016 14:56

Rebel

No you bloody aren't, a bit of dehydration won't do you any harm

Grin
jmh740 · 29/12/2016 14:57

I always buy snacks first we all went to the cinema with 19year old dss yesterday he was horrified when we went into b&m first and got a drink and bag of sweets each snacks and drinks for 5 would have cost a fortune.

I try not to take stinky food though I hate the smell of the cinema hotdogs

Absofruitly · 29/12/2016 14:59

Strict adherence to the Code at all times is of paramount importance. All hail the Church of Wittertainment.

RubbishMantra · 29/12/2016 15:07

I love my local indie cinema. You can book a sofa to sit on while watching the film. They also have a small bar restaurant that makes delicious hand made burgers. Never brought a burger in to see the film though - they're those big juicy ones that practically need to be eaten with a knife and fork. They do however allow you to bring a glass of wine in from the bar.

Hannah4banana · 29/12/2016 15:11

I used to work for the Odeon. I didn't mind people bringing in their own sweeties and drinks as long as they cleared up afterwards. After some of the kids movies I had to get down on my hands and knees to pick up orange peels, buffet packets and grape pips. Still makes me boak at the thought!
It might not be your own living room but someone does have to clear it up!
Not to mention the puke when they are too much.
"My poor kid has been sick in the 3rd row, just letting you know' Oh thanks, I'll get right on it Hmm

SapphireStrange · 29/12/2016 15:13

What about taking a fougasse? Grin

Legally, I think it's the case that cinemas can't search your bag or pockets unless there's a police officer present. But if they suspect you've got food stashed in your bag, they can refuse entry but they must refund you.

It's never happened to me but I'd bet that they would rather sell you your ticket and hope you weren't smuggling in food than have you kick up a fuss about getting a police officer in.

glitterazi · 29/12/2016 15:31

I really can't get worked up over people eating in the cinema. It's not that people "can't" get through a film without eating, it's the fact that for most eating popcorn at the cinema is part of the whole cinema going experience!
I do think if your'e hearing is that sensitive when it comes to food, is a cinema really the right place to be?!
It does smack of issues a bit as with a loud film you really can't hear "lip smacking, chomping, guzzling" that some people are saying. Hmm
As for people who won't shut the fuck up talking though, that's a whole different ball game. Definitely loud, definitely distracting, stay at bloody home if you're not interested in the film. Some of us actually came to watch it, not sit and gas. There's also a place in hell waiting for those selfish twats who light the place up with their phone every 5 minutes. Leave it alone! Watch the film!!

prh47bridge · 29/12/2016 15:45

Legally, I think it's the case that cinemas can't search your bag or pockets unless there's a police officer present

You are correct that they can't search your bag or pockets without your consent. They are, however, within their rights to refuse admission if you refuse to consent to a search.

they can refuse entry but they must refund you

No, they do not have to refund you in this situation. If you are in breach of their terms and conditions they can refuse entry without a refund.

I'd bet that they would rather sell you your ticket and hope you weren't smuggling in food than have you kick up a fuss about getting a police officer in

If you refuse to allow a search of your bag the cinema can reasonably conclude that you might be trying to take in recording equipment or something dangerous. I hope they would not gamble with customer safety.

SapphireStrange · 29/12/2016 15:58

I thought that unless you'd committed a crime, they should reimburse you.

I don't think it'd be that reasonable of them to conclude you were smuggling in recording equipment or a weapon. I'm sure it's much more common for people to take in food and drink.

trixymalixy · 29/12/2016 16:01

The nachos at the cinema is one of the best bits! Those of you expecting people not to eat at the cinema ABVU.

YANBU OP. Take your own food, it's fine.