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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Packed lunch is sad

911 replies

Ribrabrob · 22/06/2019 05:35

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 Hmm 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.

OP posts:
SnugglySnerd · 22/06/2019 16:37

YABU. I recently paid over a tenner just for ice creams for a family of 5. Lunch out on top of entrance to a theme park etc would be s stretch and mean we wouldn't have many days out at all. Plus we know the kids definitely have something they will like and we know we won't have to wait in a queue with hungry impatient children. They love picnics too. Plus theme park food is generally awful.

Sparklingbrook · 22/06/2019 16:37

Leave it in the car? Confused Then trudge all the way back to the car park to get it? Then trudge back to the car in the mahoosive car park after to put the bag back?

IIRC at Alton Towers that would involve a monorail ride.

notso · 22/06/2019 16:41

Leave it in the car!

Last time we went to Alton Towers it was a 20 minute walk from the car just to the gates.

Graphista · 22/06/2019 16:45

Not "sad" at all and frankly if I were your friend and that were your attitude I wouldn't bother making any for you in future. What an ungrateful person you are!

There are loads of reasons to do this.

To avoid overpaying for poor quality food as is often the case in tourist attractions, plus not everyone can afford travel, admission fee AND overpriced shit food.

To avoid long queues or having to trek to where the food stands are

To take food you know you'll enjoy, especially true if you have allergies or other dietary requirements which can limit your choices away from home. I'm vegetarian plus I have stomach issues which mean I don't tolerate very spicy or certain high fibre foods well. It gets very boring only have veggie burgers (often "spicy bean burgers" or crap cheese or egg sandwiches as the only veggie food available), dd is pretty unfussy but has never liked chips or chocolate (now know these are irritants for her probably due to her disability). Other people might be on medications that mean they can't eat certain foods or be diabetic or have high bp which means their diet needs careful management.

To not sabotage a weight loss diet. Often in these places it's "chips with everything" or half a ton of mayo on a lacklustre sandwich!

To not be restricted by opening times of the food services.

I've also had the very unpleasant experience of food poisoning from the type of places selling food at these places. They're often being run by less than circumspect late teens/young adults who are being paid sod all and rushed on their few breaks so skip washing hands as frequently as they should or observing food hygiene regs (yes I know they have the qualifications and know what they SHOULD be doing but I've frequently observed them NOT doing what they should)

"Doesn't anyone else find it a PITA to cart it around all day with you?" How much do you eat?! When on days out of this type dd has carried her own for many years and me too we take a wee rucksack each which we fill with lunch, snacks, refillable water bottles, sun cream, plasters, painkillers, wet wipes, power pack for phones, purse, phone and keys.

Not particularly heavy or cumbersome to carry and cover most eventualities.

So yea yabu but kudos for acknowledging it. Hopefully you'll be more thoughtful and grateful in future.

Redglitter · 22/06/2019 16:45

I used to absolutely love having a picnic when we went out for the day. Meat paste sandwiches, warm juice, fruit & a cake. It was fantastic. It always made a day out just that bit better. I have very happy memories of us all sitting at picnic tables or in a bench or in the car - if it was raining. Never crossed my mind it was a cheap option

GraceMarks · 22/06/2019 16:47

For me, a picnic is an activity in itself, that you undertake at your leisure over the course of hours. What the OP was talking about was a packed lunch, which is completely different. I'm sorry, but I just cannot get excited about sandwiches that are several hours old. I only like them if I can eat them as soon as they've been made, before they get the chance to go limp/soggy/warm.

Why on earth can the OP not look forward to having the odd bit of nasty junk food when she's on a day out, anyway? Once in a blue moon won't kill you. We all know it's not healthy and doubtless there are things that are nicer, but do none of you ever just want a burger that doesn't come in a crappy brioche bun?

my2bundles · 22/06/2019 16:48

When I've taken a picnic to theme parks its gone in the rucksack along with anything else we need for the day. This is taken ON RIDES. Honestly some posters see a problem where there isn't one.

JacquesHammer · 22/06/2019 16:51

Then trudge all the way back to the car park to get it? Then trudge back to the car in the mahoosive car park after to put the bag back?

It’s a theme park. It’s hardly walking the Inca Trail Grin

Whoops75 · 22/06/2019 16:51

As a child I’d have longed for the crap fast food over the picnic. As an adult I know why we never had it, money, quality etc

A picnic on a day out should include treats not usually allowed to make it special.

Adults can take the fun out of these days by being too sensible.

Sparklingbrook · 22/06/2019 16:54

It’s a theme park. It’s hardly walking the Inca Trail

Depends entirely on the theme park really. At most of them the car parks aren't exactly handy for nipping back to get your lunch unless something has changed since I last went.

MrMakersFartyParty · 22/06/2019 16:54

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

This.
I don't always take a packed lunch, but when I do it's to limit the cancer causing junk food served by spotty teenagers. Eating that rubbish is not a treat!

Sparklingbrook · 22/06/2019 16:55

Lol at taking your buffet banquet on the rides. Grin

JacquesHammer · 22/06/2019 16:57

Depends entirely on the theme park really

😂

MyShinyWhiteTeeth · 22/06/2019 16:57

I can't stand most of the generally low quality, high priced food available at theme parks so I generally do a pack up. I also don't like to waste time.

We went with a group a few years ago and the outside picnic eating area was much nicer than inside the noisy, smelly cafe (we weren't allowed to eat inside anyway but I wouldn't have wanted to). There was hardly any available seating inside and every table looked filthy. I was the only parent in my group with a drinks flask, cartons of juices, bottled water and packed lunches in a cool bag in a small rucksack on my back.

They were all waiting to be served and then for the food to be ready. The kids were getting bored and messing about. We ate our lunch then went to play in a play area nearby. When we returned they'd only just started eating.

The cafes get very busy at peak times - I prefer making the most of the day rather than be stuck inside waiting.

ChihuahuaMummy1 · 22/06/2019 16:58

@Lozz22 I'll be doing your water bottle hack.Great idea

Pretendapony · 22/06/2019 16:59

We usually buy something whilst we are out through pure laziness. But a packed lunch is hardly sad compared to paying a high price for low quality food in a theme park or zoo.

Ribrabrob · 22/06/2019 16:59

For all those saying I was ungrateful towards my friend I quite clearly say in my OP that I was grateful for her time and effort Smile I of course thanked her and didn't share my thoughts

OP posts:
WhenZogateSuperworm · 22/06/2019 17:01

I have an annual pass for our local theme park and so we often go once a week. I wouldn’t want to buy their hideously expensive junk food that often!

Shouldbedoing · 22/06/2019 17:09

We visited a zoo at half term. My friend had visited many times and said bring a butty, the cafe is awful and £££s
Trip Advisor said 'long queues, limited choice of basic burgers, chips etc and overpriced '. You can always stop for food on the way home if you want to make a day of it.
I still remember how pricy and mediocre the food was at a particular theme park we visited. Even more clearly than I remember the miniature cities of the world fashioned from small plastic bricks.

noodlenosefraggle · 22/06/2019 17:12

Yes why is it less nice to go to Tesco on the way, get some nice sausage rolls, cheese, cold meats and sushi?

Shouldbedoing · 22/06/2019 17:14

My friends would say that's a picnic if it has items to share whereas a packed lunch is individual.

Bloomburger · 22/06/2019 17:18

Because my nice homemade food is loads better than the mass produced overpriced unhealthy shit you get sold at most theme parks and attractions in this country.

I look at people buying the shitty good in these places and think isn't it sad they don't care enough about their health to invest the time to pack something nice.

Girlicorne · 22/06/2019 17:18

YABU and I find your post horribly condescending. We can afford to buy food at theme parks etc but it is generally vile and I resent paying over the odds for rank burgers and chips etc. I would much rather take our own. Also theme parks are always so busy I wouldn't want to waste time queuing for the horrible food, if you take your own you can eat in the ride queues. I also think pre packed sandwiches are nasty and taste like plastic so don't want to waste money on them! Please don't feel sorry for us we love our picnics!!

Sparklingbrook · 22/06/2019 17:23

Eating in the ride queues doesn't sound like a nice picnic. Sad

Newbie1981 · 22/06/2019 17:30

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