What says TIP

cmeinla

stolen from ML

 http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/60799035.aspx

 

As for me, I do it, and I don't feel bad about it.

imoan

The theater I always frequent now allows you to bring in your own food (has for years).  It was funny because everyone had been trying to sneak in snacks, only to find out from someone who works there that it's totally allowed.  I usually bring in candy that I buy at Target and then buy pretzels and a soda from the theater.

Muddled

Like I answered over there, I always take something into the theatre and I don't feel badly about it at all. There is a reason that there is a Walgreens by every movie theatre.

BettyBookworm

Guilty as charged. 

I pack my own because its so much cheaper. Also, since I am and have been trying to lose weight, I can pack healthier options to snack on during the movie (like veggies, fruit or trail mix). I didn't realize that it was lying (you aren't required to disclose the contents of your purse or person at a movie theatre), cheating (how are you cheating? You are being self-sufficient. The movie theatre is not entitled to your money unless you choose to spend it on their wares) or anything else that is dishonest.

You already spend a mini-fortune on the cost of the ticket (and its going up). Why are you required to spend your money to snack there too? I think it is ridiculous to say that you are somehow teaching your children bad values if you do this. What about people with special dietary needs that can't eat movie food? Are they simply supposed to go snack-less?

I think as a consumer you are able to spend your money how you want to and where you want to. As long as you pay for the ticket to get in then you are golden. 

The only exception I'll make are the places that allow you to eat dinner while you watch the movie. We have a couple of places like that here. You can get a real meal (and booze!). You don't have to buy the food if you don't want to but they offer more than just sweets. I don't mind paying for that if I am looking to eat while watching a movie. 

kaitlyn&henry

Im sorry...i feel like them telling you that youre not allowed your own food or drink is ridiculous. There are no healthy options let alone specialty if you have special needs. I  dont feel bad at all!

fussbucket

Of course I do it. Marketwise, I hardly think movie theater operators are in much of a position to tell their patrons what not to do. I believe they're aware of the existence of sofas, jammies, and Netflix.

Motzie

Totally guilty, at least with candy. Sometimes I'll buy popcorn there. And sometimes we'll sneak a flask in full of Captain and buy a large coke to share.

My mom totally taught us this trick. There used to be a drug store with vending machines in the basement of the mall that sold cans of soda for 35 cents. So she would put a few in her purse and we'd go see a matinee.

doglove

I always sneak food into the theater in my purse. The only place I will purchase candy (because it's not too over priced) is our local movie theater that shows artsy films. The tickets are relatively inexpensive. There's also another local place that sells spirits so we always buy them there when we go there. I don't mind supporting a local theater, but yeah when you charge 5$ for a 16 oz bottle of water and 5$ for sour gummy worms, I'm going to bring my own.

RaiKai

I'm boring, I don't take snacks/eat snacks at theatres at all. My husband may sometimes buy popcorn, but not often enough to make it a big deal. I have snuck in a canned/bottled drink on occassion and I do recall, with some difficulty, taking in a coffee from Tim Horton's once or twice (thankfully winters here give a great excuse to carry a huge parka in my arms to cover it up!).

I remember as a kid going to the movies and us sneaking in raisinettes or something like trail mix or healthier snacks.

I certainly see nothing wrong with it and have felt no guilt. If theatres want the sales, they can make the prices reasonable! I see these families who buy stuff for all their kids, and themselves, and all I can think of is that is one expensive movie - I'd wait for the rental or Netflix and make my own popcorn if I did not want to sneak anything in!

kjewell

I do it all the time.  I have large purses I refer to as my "movie purses"

If charging as much as theatres do for snack isn't "cheating" their patrons then I don't know what is.  The theatre we go to it costs more for 2 sodas and a popcorn then it does for our movie tickets.

julie324

If I want a snack I will bring it and not feel guilty.  Did I mention my husband's criminal past includes smuggling candy into a movie theater?  (Kidding)

srs5624

All of the movie theaters that are still open in my area allow people to bring their own snacks. Their only rule is that you get all of the bags and packages open and get settled in before the movie starts.

The last time I was at a movie theater, it was $12 per adult for a ticket, $9 for a medium popcorn and $7 for a medium soda. It usually cost around $50 for H and I to see one movie. Yes, I could take my own snacks but that damn popcorn smell gets me every time. I just keep my $50 and buy the DVD for $10 when it comes out.