Packed lunch is sad

[Ribrabrob]

I went to a theme park with a friend recently, fully prepared to buy lunch when I was there however arrived to pick her up and there she was with a bag full of homemade sandwiches and packet of crips each I was grateful, of course, for the time effort and money on her part but I couldn't help feeling a little dissapointed - what's the harm in buying food out?

Its always been the case that I can't help but feel a little sad when I see families on a day out at a theme park, zoo for example, sat on a bench eating (warm?) sandwhcihes wrapped in foil with a fruit shoot.

I had the type of childhood where this was common place - packed lunch for every occasion, no need to eat out becaus there was 'food at home' or it was 'too expensive' (despite no money worries) etc so I suppose it's kind of stuck with me and I don't want that kind of life.

Aibu to think that if you can afford a day at the zoo etc, then spending a little bit extra on some food is no big deal? Aibu to think that life is too short to spend time making a sand which/salad to take on a day out, when really you can just spend a bit of extra money and have the hassle taken away? It just seems so strange to me and as though people try and suck all enjoyment out of life.

We rarely save money by packing lunch as I like to take all the nice stuff I dont usually eat. But yeah if it's a choice out of a £6 greasy hot dog or my tomato and mozzarella salad I'm going for my picnic.

We keep ours in a backpack which DP carries or I take the pram and put it in there.

If we do eat out I almost always regret it (we ate out at the eden project a few weeks ago and that was delicious!) DD doesn't like the usual pizza etc so she prefers choosing her picnic.

I agree, having lunch out is all part of the day. Likewise letting them go to the shops on site. Mine know where everything came from and there are memories linked to the items.

I hate carrying a packed lunch around, ensuring it's kept cold and is special enough for a trip out.

I don't mind packed lunch but there's something really depressing about drinking coffee from a leaky flask

I try to do a bit of both, though

Oh god I totally agree! My favourite part of a day out is going somewhere for lunch, chatting with the kids while we're waiting. We're always laughing.

Compare that to a sad sandwich on a bench. Can't think of anything worse.

I know what you mean, OP, soggy warm cheese sandwiches still give me the shivers, as do squashed tangerines...my entire childhood was made up of these, and if we were really lucky, some raisins!

I agree with everyone though that theme parks and days out can be so hideous that a nice packed lunch can possible edge this- it's such a faff though especially if you need cooler/freezer things to make it acceptable. Carrying round enough water for 4 is also backbreaking.

I can't say I would be disappointed about missing out on theme park food it's generally pretty shit! I say that as someone who likes to eat out lots. Places I have been recently and had theme park food -

Peppa Pig - entrance cafe is nice but rest not so much
Alton Towers - only any good if you book a proper decent restaurant
Disneyland - horrendous apart from the £70 a head princess lunch.

And it is expensive for what it is too so if the weather is nice I would actually prefer a picnic!

We always take a packed lunch, I struggle to buy the tickets for whatever it is we’re going to, and there’s not enough left for buying what is normally an expensive, unhealthy and usually horrible lunch! Far rather have a healthy packed lunch.

I see what you did there Hoppinggreen, bilingual, speedy picnic maker and witty have you ever considered going on Britain's Got Talent?

YABU! I enjoy eating out but the surely a lot of the enjoyment comes from eating good, tasty food? You are very unlikely to find that in a theme park! I normally do a 'special' packed lunch if we are having a day out - nice bread, cheeses , fruit, dips and maybe spend some money on a coffee and ice cream. You need to pimp your picnic.

Teddybear45
Nothing beats a desi picnic. That IS the day out!

Op, are you my brother?

We always take a picnic. There are 5 of us, buying lunch at a theme park will cost around £30i guess (based in Macdonald type prices). I’d much rather take a picnic and then buy a proper takeaway when we get home so we don’t have to wash up.

Some of our picnics are basic sandwich, crisps and a bit of fruit, but sometimes they are absolutely delicious, with lots of lovely picky bits, salad bowls etc and even the fancy stuff is cheaper than a crappy burger and chips from the theme park.

YABVU and judgmental.
The cost of theme parks, zoos etc is high enough, let alone adding food on top - many families can barely afford the entry fee, so saving a bit of money on food is essential. Oh that we all had so much money that we could just eat out whenever we wanted. Not everyone has money to throw around. If you have enough money, then it's a nice treat to eat out sometimes, but if it's all the time then it ceases to be a treat.

I find making our own food much healthier than buying food at such places. Plus I can pack food I know we all like, so it's not disappointing in the slightest. Most of the time if I buy food out, my DC doesn't eat it anyway, so it's best to bring food I know for sure they'll like.

You might not like picnics, but I can't see why you're projecting that onto everyone else!

My best memories are of eating warm sandwiches in the car while it poured with rain on a day trip to the beach.
Even now, I love warm, soggy cheese and tomato sandwiches.

Totally with you but realise that’s not a popular perspective It’s part of the experience to me

Theme parks, zoo’s etc food are rank. Give me nice fresh rolls, nice ham (sorry veggies) lettuce and cucumber, a few sweet clems, a crispy apple, packet of crisps and some bottles of water, anyday. Plus you can also buy enough for 4 for you, for the cost of one meal- so it’s win win!

Alton Towers - only any good if you book a proper decent restaurant

The rollercoaster restaurant is disgusting. We had a meal there as it was included in our hotel package, it was inedible.
The curry place in Alton Towers isn't bad, the kids like the chicken naan wraps.

You're weird and I say this considering the fact that I love to eat out. I love quality food tho, not cheap (but expensive) food you find in those parks

Also there's a shitload of reasons for packing your own lunch: diet, money, etc.

Definitely not sad.

OP I totally agree! We always eat out on days out - it’s part of the fun!!! I would hate it if a friend brought me some packed sandwiches - how embarrassing! Luckily I don’t know anyone that tight.

As I have Coeliac's Disease I have always tended to make a packed lunch when out for the day so that I can actually eat lunch.

Now I am a mother we all have picnics on days out unless there is bad weather as we can eat what we like, at a time to suit us, no queuing in an overcrowded cafe and usually outside so with space for running around.

We sometimes treat ourselves to an ice cream or cake but prices can be very steep for a family and choice can be limited or nil for those with dietary needs.

We were given a packed lunch from a spanish hotel to take to a theme park whilst on holiday once and was made to throw it all away outside as they didnt allow your own food to be taken into the park!
Not sure if this is still the case ( was in the late 90s) but i was upset as it was far nicer than the food they had for sale inside- never happened in a english zoo or theme park which is a good thing.

I do see your point of view though, my parents couldnt afford much and a day out always involved a sandwich or a flask of tea. We didnt ever eat out and the one time i did take my mum into a mcdonalds she was horrified that you threw everything away! ( maybe she had a point there)
I have a friend who never took her children to museums or to visit a cathedral as her childhood was spent always going to those type of places - whatever happens in your childhood does colour how you bring your own kids up sometimes.!
most places like this its all fast food mostly - some people would rather eat something a bit more healthy and cheaper, but its all just preference really and if you want to lug a cool box about all day as well.

I had the type of childhood where this was common place - packed lunch for every occasion, no need to eat out because there was 'food at home' or it was 'too expensive'

I have come full circle! My childhood was as above. And I thought eating out is better / more fun.
So we did (& sometimes still do) get food while out. THE HASSLE IS NOT WORTH IT!
It is really easier to take a decent picnic. The DC help out with prep and what they want to eat & drink... it's all part of the building excitement! Sometimes we add a portion of chips or ice cream to our picnic, so we have best of both worlds.
And we eat better quality food. I think it's about how you present your picnic options and be flexible with what you need on the day.
I think everyone has to do what is best suited to their family.

My kids love picnics I take a packed lunch as most places have shit food, Alton towers is a good example.
Also Butlins I took them there a few times and the food is grim so I always go self catering and do my own food. If they want snacks I'll happily buy them but I'm not going to buy take away food in these places that isn't nice

@notso ah we went to Rollercoaster and it was great fun- expensive for what it was but certainly not inedible and anywhere that can send me a glass of wine down on a mini rollercoaster is a winner in my book ;). Also did The Secret Garden one which was nice.

I was grateful, of course

Biggest lie. You’re a shit friend and a snob to boot. HTH.

I guess to always thought similar. Growing up I was an only child so my mum with splash out when we went places. Always had food out as part of the experience. So when I had my own I did the same despite the fact my husband's family did the opposite, having four myself now it is very expensive but we just went with it's part of the experience.

However, 1. I find most of the food really terrible, cheap and nasty food, often poorly cooked, it getting annoying when I end up sending £60 on hot dogs which the kids refuse to eat as they are so vile. 2. My children just want to keep going, so taking time up to line up for food, buy and try to force them to eat said food is annoying. 3. They all want ice cream and sweets etc.

So now we do different things depending where we are going. I wouldn't take sandwiches a distance away. But we would maybe take things that keep out, so we can snack. Have ice cream etc and then a meal out on the way back. In fact last time we went I even refused to get sweets at the theme park as they were 8.99 and out local range had a better quality, large and more verity pick and mix for 1.99. So maybe I'm getting more frugal 😂

This makes our diet sound terrible 😂 in all honesty, my kids are every savoury type kids, I don't know where they came from 😂 I don't need to restrict things because they prefer the healthy option anyway, which is partly why they don't like the food on offer. But equally that I grew up with having lots of treats on days out so I do the same for my own.