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.

The80sweregreat I quite enjoy a chicken fillet burger from KFC & the like. From memory the chicken burger option from Legoland was more expensive & not half as nice. Awful queue, hardly any seats etc.

I agree that a bit of junk does no harm on a day out but what frustrates me about theme parks is that they have all these little kiosks dotted about but they all sell the same thing. Ice cream or pigeon hot dog. Sometimes I just fancy a bag of crisps or a portion of chips.

I might go to KFC for dinner today! Hot wings, chicken, chips and gravy mmmmmm.

YABU. At a lot of zoo/theme park type places the food is both expensive and shit, so yes I would take sandwiches. I will pay out for ice creams and cakes and stuff, not a total killjoy, but not for manky burgers and chicken nuggets!

I love taking my picnic lunch out. We have a picnic hamper and it's far from warm sandwiches!
Ice packs and drinks coolers make all the difference. Example picnic is quiche, scotch egg, couscous salad, baguette & pate etc. It makes the day for me!

I feel like maybe I should start a picnic thread!

We always ha picnics as kids and to be honest it just added to the excitement of the day out. We loved picnics! My kids do too

This for me! My parents used to write clues/draw little pictures for us to work out which food belonged to who. We used to love it.

Packed lunch all the way - sandwiches, homemade quiche, mini sausage rolls, fruit, salad, crisps, all kept fresh and chilled in a cool bag.

Or queue with hungry tired children for an overpriced portion of deep friend junk....

I really hate the kind of food they serve in amusements parks so i'd always prefer to bring my own food which I know is very freshly prepared with good ingredients. No queuing either. Not sad at all.

But OP I do get what you mean about family always having packed lunch and never having treats when on days out, so although I bring packed lunch I always let DC choose if they'd rather have burger and fries, or if they want an ice cream etc. Most of the time, they don't.

We were out shopping and had to grab something on the quick to go somewhere else, so i suggested KFC. not been in one for years and didnt think it would be up to much but i was surprised at how nice the burger was.
They put something in the food to make it tasty i am convinced of it, plus i was lucky that it was hot and looked freshly cooked.
I normally avoid all these type of places though if i can, but i can see why people like eating it every week plus its not as expensive as a proper restaurant or pub. The corn on the cob wasnt bad either.

I love home made picnics and actually find it part of the joy of a day trip.

Much quicker to eat a packed lunch (in a queue) at a theme park, then you have more time for rides.

Depends where you go.. most theme parks have overpriced crap. I hate packing lunches as i dont enjoy sandwiches but its healthier, cheaper, you can include carrots, fruit etc. Its also more enjoyable if weathers good to picnic with kids, than sit in a busy restaurant.

Frankly i find in this country food is overpriced and unappetizing, including deliveroo and london restaurants

YABU

I also didn't see any mention of kids in the OP, so assumed it was just her and her friend. So the "queuing for hours with hungry children and then paying a fortune for three burgers" doesn't seem to apply to this situation. I think there is a bit of a difference if it's just two adult women on a day out together than if it was a family.

Perhaps the OP's friend was short of cash and thought it would be rude to bring sandwiches just for herself and not include her friend. It was a nice gesture and the OP did say she was suitably grateful!

YANBU OP I'll eat anything though.
I do have nostalgia for my family's picnics in the 70's. We went to a shop and DM would always grab a frozen cream sponge which had defrosted by the time of the picnic.
We brought picnics when the DCs were small but now it's cafe or restaurant all the way.

Can you take this to a theme park?

We take a picnic as that's what our children prefer. Often we'll offer them the choice of eating at the destination or taking a picnic. It's very rare they don't want the picnic (which is great for the bank balance but not so good for when I suddenly realise we don't have enough bread!!). Saying that, we sometimes buy a portion of chips to accompany the sandwiches.

I completely agree with you OP. It feels like more of a treat if you're buying food at the place you're visiting, whereas taking packed lunch reminds me of school trips! I grew up in a household where meals out were rare because there wasn't the money to do that, and so they were always things to look forward to, so I think it stems from that. I always feel disappointed if, while out with family, we start planning to visit a restaurant then someone says "Actually, no. Let's eat at home."

@fancynancyclancy well I'm willing to give that a try

We always do a picnic. Everyone gets their favourite sandwich, bagel or baguette and treats plus some fruit and salad thrown in and the kids love it.
I’d rather put the money I save on not spending on food at the venue towards another day out.
No need to feel sad for us.

YABU!!!

We always take a packed lunch. It's not sad because I make it nice and far better than any overpriced crap on offer at theme parks and the like.
It's often the part of the day we look forward to. I feel sad for the people who didn't have the foresight or skill to make a lovely lunch and have to queue up for some processed crap.

YABU

Not everyone does it to save money.

The best part of a day out, for us, is getting home utterly exhausted and tucking into takeaway fish and chips.

Having fast food for lunch and dinner isn't exactly healthy, so it's a picnic lunch and then fish and chips in the evening.

This stems from my childhood and I love it.

I want this one!! ❤️❤️

Ravenclawclassof84 I really want it now, I’m just happy to sit on a mat & drink whilst the kids go on the rides etc.

Ninkaninus That is a beaut, although it may not hang off the pram so easily! 😁