Going out for extra snacks during the film and ‘stealing’ seats

[ViewFromMySeat]

AIBU to think it’s wrong to get extra food during the film? Is it the norm now?

I’ve recently been taking full advantage of the £4.99 seats! I went with a friend I haven’t seen in years recently. She went out to get extra snacks twice during the film.

She isn’t the only one though. I’ve been 3 times now, and seen different people doing this. Popping out during the film, excusing themselves around other people trying to watch the film, and coming back with more food.

The next AIBU - The film was okay, should’ve been an 18 I think but was down as a 15. She agreed. Then asked how much the seats were so she could transfer me the cash

I said not to worry, they were just £4.99 each. Less than £10 for us both!

She said I was really wrong for taking those. I was a bit confused and asked her to explain. She said it’s better manners to leave those seats for students or those really struggling to get in —I am a carer so hardly rolling around in £50 notes—

I just shrugged and left it at that but thought it was a bit odd

Next time you go with your friend get the £4.99 seat but charge her £15 - Profit!

Your cinema charges £40 for seats that recline? I paid £27 for 4 of us in seats that reclined earlier this month.

This is a very strange cinema and pricing. But no, you didn't steal the seats. They are cheap because of where they are. They were available. You booked them.

She should take a picnic bag and snack away without disturbing anyone. You can take cold food and soft drinks into the cinema. Don't keep pissing people off.

Anyway, how hungry can you get in about two and a half hours??

If the cinema wanted to restrict those cheap seats to a particular group, they would do that.

They offer them as an incentive to get people coming to the cinema!

This.

Who is needing to eat a full on sugary cinema snack every hour in the cinema?
I like a bag of Malteasers or something, and a drink... even if it is water. But I don't understand the need to get up several times during a 2 hour film.

Your friend is being ridiculous

Of course you can buy those seats

Not excusing it but IME it's people eating savoury foods like Nachos, Hot Dogs etc then going back out for Ben and Jerrys or an Ice Blast rather than sweets followed by more sweets.

I'm a weirdo that takes water and some fruit in a tupperware!

I managed to read it ok and so did most other people.

Although I wouldn't go out to get snacks during a film and find it really distracting people wandering around I do understand why people do. They put so many ads on now before the film starts that iv often ate all my snacks and drank my drink before the film even starts

I book the cheapest seats (vue) and then if the cinema is empty-ish i sit wherever i like. I think it's me who does seat stealing!

I think it’s fine to get the cheap seats, presumably there’s a reason they’re cheap like maybe not having the best view?

I agree it’s strange for people to be getting up for more food unless it was a very long film, it should be possible to buy enough snacks at the beginning to get through a couple of hours. That said I guess people could be getting up to use the toilet and then buying snacks whilst up or maybe because they’re embarrassed they can’t make it through a movie without needing the loo and so are buying food as a kind of alibi. I used to have a lot of anxiety around using the toilet in public and was convinced people would be judging me for needing to wee so getting a snack is the sort of thing I would do to try and remove some of the embarrassment.

I've never understood why the UK doesn't have intermissions. Every other country I have been to the cinema, has this. You can go to the toilet and get some snacks without missing any of the film.

I had no issue with it, the main content of the post clarified the points in the post title. Are you having difficult with your reading comprehension lately?

No way are there £40 cinema tickets at a Vue!

I often find in children's films kids going to the toilet which is normal and to be expected. I haven't noticed the getting snacks issue other than someone getting a drink before.

This. 100%

You aren't at home. You shouldn't get up from your seat during a film unless unavoidable. And if course you book any seats that are available to you. People have no idea how to behave in public since Covid.

Agree, and so many people on their phones throughout, scrolling, messaging, whatever it is they are doing! It is actually quite hard to focus on the film now. It used to be that you felt people’s main reason for being there was to actually watch the film, but now that seems to be competing with eating, talking, scrolling, etc. 🙄

I don't know if it still does but the commodore in Aberystwyth used to always have intermission and sell snacks out of a little hatch. Also you couldn't book tickets online, you had to queue up (often sold out before you go to the front if it was a new/popular film), and people used to get dressed up and cheer etc at big films like James Bond or whatever. This was less than 10 years ago, not in the 1950s...but tbf there's not that much to do in Aber!

OP your friend is a bit mad, and if she's worried about taking advantage of poorer people she shouldn't have let you pay for her seat!

Technically there's nothing wrong with going up and getting more food, and, having worked in a cinema, food and drink is where cinemas make nearly all of their profit, so people doing so are keeping it in business and essentially keeping your £4.99 seats the price they are. But personally I think it's a bit sad that people can't go 2hrs without needing that much food!

Getting up for more snacks doesn’t sound great. I mean how much sustenance do you need to have to spend 2-3 hours sitting down on a comfortable seat?

First come first served on the cheap seats!
The best experience I’ve ever had at the cinema was in Cineworld. Took DS and at the time he was really struggling with his mental health. He had a massive panic attack and we had to leave. On our way out a member of staff asked if everything was ok. I explained what had happened. They , straight away escorted us to the access box and we got to watch the film, just the 2 of us in a private room. That persons kindness meant so much to me at such a bleak time.

Cinemas are losing business and barely surviving as more and more people chose to stay home and watch streaming services. The £4.99 seats are to incentivise people back into the cinema. They are for anyone and everyone and cinemas are not targeting people on low incomes. They are desperate for anyone to fill the seats.

You do not get up during a film in a cinema at least you seriously need the toilet, you are seriously ill or need to go home because you are about to die.
No way anyone should just be popping out for snacks!

About the cheaper seats, well done to you for taking them! I think cinemas will soon be a thing of the past.

Our local Vue has rows of £4.99 seats. They're open to everyone. They'd rather a fuller screening than charging more.