Is it tacky to bring your own snacks to the movie theater?

[NeuroTypical]

We see maybe one movie at the spendy theater every two years. The rest of the time, it's dollar movies or Netflix. And we maybe buy overly expensive snacks once every four years.

Used to smuggle in snacks, but they started catching us on a recurring basis. I think the theater bought some night vision equipment or something. Now we just make sure we have dinner before, or bring snacks we just leave in the car and have later. It works fine with everyone.

I find this to be a complicated subject to wrap my ethical mind around. Conventional Wisdom indicates that I'm doing something wrong by smuggling snacks and drinks into the theater, but that I'm just peachy-keen by bringing them but leaving them in the car. The end result is the same - the Kmart or dollar store gets my $5, the theater does not get my $25.

Is there anyone who wants to claim I'm harming the theater owner by leaving snacks in the car? Anyone think "no snacks allowed in this parking lot" signs should go up?

LM

p.s. Woe is Denver - no more drive inn.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Loudmouth_Mormon

[pam]

Ok, let's compromise. Drive Ins!!!

I see it now..we'll have a debate whether or not it's right to hide people in the trunk of your car to keep from having to pay for them.

[pam]

We see maybe one movie at the spendy theater every two years. The rest of the time, it's dollar movies or Netflix. And we maybe buy overly expensive snacks once every four years.

Used to smuggle in snacks, but they started catching us on a recurring basis. I think the theater bought some night vision equipment or something. Now we just make sure we have dinner before, or bring snacks we just leave in the car and have later. It works fine with everyone.

I find this to be a complicated subject to wrap my ethical mind around. Conventional Wisdom indicates that I'm doing something wrong by smuggling snacks and drinks into the theater, but that I'm just peachy-keen by bringing them but leaving them in the car. The end result is the same - the Kmart or dollar store gets my $5, the theater does not get my $25.

Is there anyone who wants to claim I'm harming the theater owner by leaving snacks in the car? Anyone think "no snacks allowed in this parking lot" signs should go up?

LM

Yeh...let's have car searches prior to entering the parking lot.

[Wisc]

Who brings their own treats to a movie? Thats disgusting you are basically stealing from movie theather

Please explain to me how I am stealing? If I do not go to see a movie the theater makes exactley $0.00. If I do go to see a movie and perhaps bring along a date and her twin sister; and lets assume the tickets cost $8.00 each and Im not a student and its after 6pm so no discounts involved then the theater makes $24.00 + tax.

Now, since I am with my date and her hottie twin sister we can safely assume I've already spent a BUN load of cash on dinner and flowers. SO... we're not there to eat snacks, or drink over priced soda. We're there to watch a movie while we digest our previously consumed dinners for a couple of hours. BUT knowing ahead of time that I'd get the munchies as I always do I brought along something to tide me over till we get back to either my place or the twins' .

How is it stealing again to purchase the product / service I desire and avoid the one I do not? Simple economics. Supply and Demand. I do not demand their supply. I have my own. :)

[pam]

With 278 posts..haven't we beaten this subject to death?

[miztrniceguy]

nope

[miztrniceguy]

I see it now..we'll have a debate whether or not it's right to hide people in the trunk of your car to keep from having to pay for them.

here it's by the carload.

[beefche]

Does anyone think it's ok to take this into a theater?

[miztrniceguy]

yuk!!!

[Guest Godless]

Does anyone think it's ok to take this into a theater?

Until movie theaters start selling sushi, I'm going to say yes, it's absolutely okay.

[ozzy]

I used to go to Dollar General and buy their movie theatre box candy and take it in. Basically the same stuff, just a bit older and no one can tell the difference. That said I don't really care what people think of me bringing my own food in as I think theatres have an overinflated view of just how much their food is worth. I mean really... 3 buck for a hot dog when I can get 8 quality ones for 5? Gimme a break.

[talisyn]

p.s. Woe is Denver - no more drive inn.

I'm so sorry. Twin Falls (short drive away, rural short drive I should say) has 2. I'd send one to you but then I wouldn't get to see all those movies!

[MichaelCraig]

I think it's all a conspiracy. They purposely put way too much salt on the popcorn which after two handfulls makes your mouth draw up sending subliminal survival messages to your brain saying you'll die within seconds if you don't go buy a $10 super large sprite, which comes with free refills, which is really done just to get you BACK at the counter again which by then causes your sweet tooth to flare in order to put out the fire of 3 pounds of salt and 2 gallons of carbonated soda. It's part physical and part mental reaction. They've done many years of research with this to get the science right and I do believe they've got it down now! I've got them beat though. Right before I leave the house for the movies I eat 2 tablespoons of salt, slam a two liter sprite and cram 2 medium bags of Skittles down my throat and I'm good for a normal 1 1/2 hour long movie. See, ya gotta be one step ahead of them crazy folks, you know?

Edited January 15, 2010 by MichaelCraig

[pam]

You may be on to something there.

[ozzy]

Definitely