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.

I love seeing families with little foil lunch packages sat on a bench. Train stations, zoos, wherever really. But it always warms my heart.
I think of it as something to aspire to rather than look down on as some seem to be doing a little here.
I makes me think of someone being organised enough to do it and a very loving gesture.

Maybe I'm overthinking it and I do see a place for meals out as well as a packed lunch but it does warm my heart far more to see a family sat in a row with their sarnies in foil!

Friends went to Disneyland this week. They wanted to go out for an onsite meal but looked up prices beforehand. €91 per person incl their 4&6 yo. More than the tickets. Most places charge a 100% premium and it's not necessarily good and we are in France.

I’m a little sorry for someone on a nice day out who looks at friends choices and thinks ‘how sad’. How about ‘you make different choices to me but I love you anyway, and thinking of me too was kind?’ How about ‘it’s good to see some solid budget management in friends lives’ how about ‘I don’t know your life circs so I’m not going to judge’, how about ‘I won’t get so mentally involved with other people’s choices because I’m comfortable in mine and love my friends and other people can do what they want?’
But, you can’t seem to conceive the idea of a nice packed sandwich so I don’t really get you at all.

Absolutely BU but it depends on the picnic. We often take a picnic lunch and a nice one - not just soggy sarnies but fruit, nice crisps, dips etc. I don’t think it’s mean at all.
My parents’ Idea of a packed lunch was v different and I vowed i would never do that.
Theme park/zoo cafes are pretty overpriced crap food but if you’re going to a town/seaside for the day where there’s decent restaurants then it’s more weird to take a packed lunch.

And this exactly! I love seeing families with little foil lunch packages sat on a bench. Train stations, zoos, wherever really. But it always warms my heart.
I think of it as something to aspire to rather than look down on as some seem to be doing a little here.
I makes me think of someone being organised enough to do it and a very loving gesture.
We only do it because my husband is organised

@raeray you'd love us on the train we have all different types of sandwiches and usually eat them when we've only been on for one stop the kids love it

YBVU

Not only is the food in zoos and theme parks extortionate so many families have to choose ‘zoo & packed lunch’ or not going at all, but often it’s over priced shite anyway.

Plus you have to hike from where you are to the random location of the ‘restaurant’ then if you don’t go early to avoid the rush you end up with seriously limited choices (a nightmare with kids with allergies or who don’t like avocado/the latest ‘in’ sandwich filling).

It saves time having your picnic en route and means everyone in the group can have what they like. And, especially at theme parks or places with queues, means you can time your lunch out with 12-2 and enjoy smaller queues while everyone who is buying food is in the cafe.

YABU. I love crap greasy food so I wouldn't take a packed lunch. But not everyone can/wants to spend £8 on a burger.

I do like a picnic at times and we have been on several.

But at some days out I don't take one often as I don't want to be carrying it, and then carrying around lots of empty containers after too. Especially on warm days when you need ice packs too.

It's okay if you can get back to the car and have a nearby picnic area near the parking zones. But a faff having a heavy or bulky bag all day. Those kind of days we buy lunch out.

I can see why people would take picnics in those situations themselves though - cost, allergies, fussy eaters, etc.

For me the picnic is part of the day out. My three year old gets very excited about telling me what to pack!

I'd much rather bring a lovely homemade picnic then treat everyone to ice creams whilst at the event/activity, and a takeaway for dinner after a long day out.

The only think I'm not wild about is carrying the extra baggage, but it's ok if you have a buggy you can pile it into.

Lack of choice, value and queues make me think I'd take lunch too.
I COULD afford to buy lunch there, but that doesn't mean it's worth it.

I think a picnic nicer than theme park food. Also can be eaten anywhere, not just in stuffy canteen where you may well have to queue.

Also my kids only like hotdogs with no buns so when I've paid £6.50 for one hot dog it does piss me off. Same with burgers they only eat the meat. They don't like chips they don't eat chicken nuggets and most menus always put these things on so it's hard work. If I take a couple sandwiches, some dairy Lea dunkers, cheeses, crisps, chocolate, juice and veggie batons I know it'll all be eaten. Me paying £40 for us to eat when it all gets wasted what's the point? Can have that £40 in the gift shop or whatever it is they choose.

@anitagreen ooh I would!

I think I've become a bit of a softy as I've got older...elderly couple sandwiches in foil with the added extra of a flask of tea to share- I could almost get a bit misty eyed!

@raeray That's my Nan and grandad they do that with the flasks

I would never eat anything but packed lunch at a theme park. Food is often overpriced and rubbish quality. We can pack a far better lunch from home. And we carry s heavy duty picnic bag complete with cool packs so the food is always fresh. We can take anything we like I.e. even ice lollies depending on how far we have to travel. The kids get to choose their lunch and the choices are endless.

YABU and weird.
I don’t always - but love packing a little picnic for days out! Especially if I’ve got homemade fayre.
Can’t wait to do it in autumn with a flask of hot soup etc

Maybe she could only afford to go out IF she took packed lunch? Food at these things is generally very over priced.

I can also understand why others who have dietary requirements might do it too.
I know vegans have a hard time finding something suitable to eat! Better to bring your own.

It just seems so strange to me and as though people try and suck all enjoyment out of life.

Maybe your friend brought lunch so you could eat quickly without having to queue for food and therefore have more time to enjoy the theme park? I think it’s you who’s the joy-sucker. Being negative about your friend for absolutely no reason. YABU

It's so expensive to eat in zoos and theme parks. The queues are long with four children and I like to know I have a decent lunch with me.

I do a hamper style lunch. Choice of sandwiches, trays of cakes, cold drinks (I freeze them before we go so they thaw during the morning), selection of fruits and cheeses and fresh bread and biscuits.
In all the years I've provided this we've never had anyone want a cheap burger, cold chips, or tepid pasta.

The only time I'd be tempted away is in Cornwall where we might get proper freshly cooked pasties to go with the hamper food.

It is irrational, but I always had packed lunches on days out growing up, so always buy out now as it feels like a treat- even if it is invariably overpriced crap. I remember being on our first holiday abroad, travelling through various European countries and camping at each stop. The one night we couldn't find a campsite we stayed at a hotel. It was my first time in a hotel and I was SOO excited about having a hotel breakfast. Then it got to morning and my mum cracked open the jam sandwiches she'd somehow knocked up!

It just seems so strange to me and as though people try and suck all enjoyment out of life

You know what OP? If eating over-priced, poorly cooked food in a theme park restaurant gives you enjoyment, you do you.

I’d prefer to eat pleasant, interesting and tasty food.

Me and DD love going out to eat, except we enjoy eating out in nice places, not second-rate food.

This thread has reminded me I need a new picnic blanket

Another picnic maker here. The food at theme parks is not great especially if you have dietary restrictions. Added to which if you have a 6 foot tall sporty teenager then a hotdog and fries is little more than a snack. A good picnic can add to a day out not detract from it.

Wealthy people picnic too. The nursery ground at Lords is rammed with picnicking at the Lunch interval in a test match. Similarly places like Henley or Ascot often have quite luxurious picnics set up in the car parks. It can be just about having the food you want at a time that suits you.