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.

YABU to want to eat out sometimes and maybe to have fancied buying that day. But theme park food is generally overpriced and not that nice. I'd rather eat elsewhere. If you make a nice picnic, I'd enjoy that more. I made a lovely tiffin box full of food for a friend and me recently. Sitting by a lake and eating it was a real pleasure. Other times I buy lunch on a day out.

Hahahaha lashings of lemonade. Missed that one. This thread has proper cheered up my morning!

I get it OP, but your feelings are about your upbringing rather than packed lunches themselves.

My parents were the same. Bread defrosted in the microwave, smeared in margarine, sandwiched with some slices of cucumber or egg, and wrapped in foil. Eaten in the car in a lay-by. Often thrown up again due to travel sickness. Still makes me feel ill now.

But I don’t have a problem with a packed lunch as a concept! Also there is a distinction between a packed lunch and picnic.

Agree that the ‘lashings of lemonade’ and ‘twist of black pepper’ post is hilarious - are you in Famous Five?!

Normally, we dine on roast swan on sourdough with lashings of Krug, so I look forward to a McDonalds as a rare treat.

I'll probably have to find somewhere though because I was thrown out of London Zoo last time for wringing the neck of a flamingo to go on my portable barbie.

What a very very odd view. Do you lack empathy? I rarely eat out at such places. Might stretch to buying some doughnuts or an ice cream. I would say that 90% of the mums I know would make a packed lunch.

I rarely eat McDonald’s- why would you when you can make ‘to die for baguettes’ 😂😂😂

Perhaps the issue is the way your parents went about it, Op?

We always took food as did most others we knew.

It was no big deal though & some of my best memories are of going back to the car for lunch.

And with our kids as well-the convenience of knowing that the food would be something you liked & instantly available.

We do eat out-but theme parks aren't where we choose to do it!

To me it's sad that a day could be made or ruined by lunch!

What's weird opinion to have. You can make a really nice packed lunch you know. We enjoy having picnics and can't always afford to eat out if we've paid to get in somewhere.

Appropriately the ad on my phone is for take away food...

Last time we ate out in a theme park it cost us nigh on £50 for 2 burger and chips and a drink and it was shit! I'd much rather take a picnic in. We always take a picnic to the water parks in Florida or if we go down to the coast for the day. It's cheaper and means we can then eat out somewhere much nicer for tea instead. Bottles of water frozen Make great freezer blocks and come with the added bonus when they melt of giving you a lovely cold refreshing drink

I love food, we enjoy eating as a, family and we can afford to eat out at theme park / attractions if we choose to do so.

Why would I want to do so though?

The food at these places is usually unappetising fast food, that is greasy and inedible or a dried up sandwich or piece of cake at an outrageous price!

OP if you think theme park food is a joy to eat, then you need to gen up on some good picnic recipes.

I don't think OP is a mum and that does change your priorities a bit.

This thread is MN gold!
Agreed, any opportunity to furnish readers with tales of crusty bread, bonus paints for sourdough, naice meats and cheeses, posh crisps and salads. I'm sure some posters diets consist of nothing else.

I do realize my first post sounded a little snobbish

There's nothing snobbish about preferring fast food junk to a nice picnic. Quite the reverse!

When I was 13 in the late 1970s I endured the most miserable week of my life with my schoolfriend A and her family who took me to a holiday camp in Berwick-on-Tweed.

It started at a service station about an hour outside London when I ordered doughnuts and coffee for breakfast - I was big into Happy Days and The Fonz. I paid for it with my own money and offered to treat A and her brother, as I'd been told my my parents. A's parents were horrified. I don't know what they ate but this was wrong.

Throughout the week, they criticised and mocked my eating habits, accent and clothes. Even a request to hire an iron from reception - my family never wore wrinkled clothes and again, I paid for it with my own money so it was none of their business - was a cause of mirth. I don't understand why. I silently judge people who don't iron their clothes. They think you can't tell - you can. I just wouldn't be rude enough to say it to someone's face.

When I returned my mum said: 'Did you have a nice time? Did you thank A's mum? Were you a good girl?'

I lied about the first one and answered truthfully yes to the second and third. I never spent time with them again and never explained why.

I'm 55 now. A and her parents are the same people I see on Mumsnet sneering about sourdough and glorious picnics today.

I’m going on a trip with my adult daughters tomorrow. It involves a 4 hour drive. We could stop anywhere for a meal but what we’re looking forward to having is our egg sandwiches and flask of coffee.

It’s a big part of the trip.

Sneering was the wrong word. Boasting is the correct one

I agree with you, OP. I was brought up with the ubiquitous cool box containing budget sandwiches, melted own brand Penguin bars, weak squash tasting of plastic all eaten in the wind on the musty picnic blanket. Ugh.

YABU. The food in these places is usually crap and overpriced anyway!

At a theme park I wouldn't want to carry anything, let alone lug a top notch buffet banquet for four around with me however light the coolbag was.
What do you do with it when you go on the rides?

My own packed lunches are always a disappointment I just don’t have the knack for them.

Not read the other responses.
However I'd bet I'm in the minority by saying YANBU.I think its sad too.Plus I can't be arsed with the kerfuffle,also food out is part of the day out!

We sometimes buy food at theme park restaurant but most often go to Waitrose or M&S and buy delicious deli type food or sushi etc works out bit cheaper and is much tastier and healthier.

What do you do with it when you go on the rides?

Leave it in the car!

Leave it in the car!

It's not just salmonella - this is M&S salmonella