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AIBU

Eating at the cinema

(140 Posts)
Beswitched Sun 09-Feb-20 08:51:49

I was at the cinema last night and the young man beside me was eating crisps non stop for the first hour or so. The smell was awful not to mention the noise.

I've no objection to people quietly eating some sweets or chocolate or whatever but aibu to find this constant munching and guzzling and bringing in smelly nachos, hot dogs etc really annoying.

He and his girlfriend had bought the crisps somewhere outside the cinema and brought them in in their rucksack as they don't sell crisps at the ticket desk.

Shandy57 Sun 09-Feb-20 15:01:38

I am no longer going to go to the cinema as it really distracts me when people crackle sweet bags. We went to see a matinee of Little Women and a couple in front were both crackling and talking.

I'm going to wait for the DVD to be released in future, my daughter said 1917 was fantastic.

sodapop Sun 09-Feb-20 14:59:52

1917 was an excellent film Anna and in fact a fairly sanitised version of conditions in the trenches of WW1. There were some dramatic moments but we can never imagine the unremitting squalor and horror those soldiers endured.

Our local small cinema doesn't sell any food or drink, I never see people eating in there. Can't believe anyone would be so crass as to bring their sandwiches etc to a performance of Les Mis. It's my very favourite musical.

EllanVannin Sun 09-Feb-20 14:57:33

Too loud for me I'm afraid. That all round sound makes me jump out of my skin when it's least expected in a film.
Give me the old picture houses anytime because I'll never go to another modern one again.

Grandad1943 Sun 09-Feb-20 14:50:13

My wife and I are in the same bracket as notanan2 and so it is with our adult children and their families. We sat there with large glass of wine in hand and box of popcorn, riveted to all the action in the film 1917 at our local laugh and scratch only last week, great stuff.

We were only disturbed by two older women chatting in the row behind us now and again as I mentioned in an earlier post in this thread.

notanan2 Sun 09-Feb-20 14:23:08

People like and my over priced cheap wine means there are showings to go to..

notanan2 Sun 09-Feb-20 14:21:58

There's nothing unusual about us. As I said, we are exactly the type of people cinemas market to and cater to these days.
They would almost all be shut down by now if it was mostly people like you lot going. Its the extras and the experience that keeps them making a profit!

Beswitched Sun 09-Feb-20 14:18:41

Well I hope I never end up sitting near your family at the cinema notanan.

Theoddbird Sun 09-Feb-20 14:16:06

If someone is constantly talking why not politely ask then to stop or you could move seats if there are empty ones?

notanan2 Sun 09-Feb-20 14:11:38

I watch things I want to concentrate on alone on my laptop with headphones in. I find that more "immersive"

notanan2 Sun 09-Feb-20 14:10:26

We go as a family so its rarely everyones genre. The rest of us stock up on treats and enjoy the fancy seats/outting.

notanan2 Sun 09-Feb-20 14:09:42

Doesnt really matter what we go to see TBH

Oopsminty Sun 09-Feb-20 14:08:43

I do not go to the cinema to concentrate.

So is the film you've opted to see a distraction then?

notanan2 Sun 09-Feb-20 14:01:06

They are clearly not the cinemas target audience Beswitched. People like me are.

If you want to watch a movie without evidence of othet people around you, why go to a cinema?

You can stream everything at home now so cinemas arent even about whats showing, theyre all about the recliner seats and food and drink options.

There would be no cinemas without the eaters. We keep cinemas open and in business.

NfkDumpling Sun 09-Feb-20 14:00:29

We only get around to seeing a film when it’s been on for a week or so, and then go in the afternoon. That way we have the place nearly to ourselves.

vickymeldrew Sun 09-Feb-20 13:59:00

In answer to your question Anna, 1917 is a brilliant film. I felt as though I’d actually been in the trenches for a couple of hours. Don’t think you would get nightmares as it has plenty of ‘James Bond’ moments. If you want a laugh though go and see David Copperfield. Wonderful film !

Beswitched Sun 09-Feb-20 13:57:06

What about the other people in the audren é who do go to concentrate and not to listen to other people guzzling, crunching, slurping and rustling not to mention the distracting and nauseous smell of nachos, crisps and hot dogs hanging in the air, notanan?

BlueSapphire Sun 09-Feb-20 13:55:58

There is nothing better than sitting back in a large comfy reclining leather seat with plenty of legroom at my small local independent cinema, nursing a large glass of red wine bought in the foyer beforehand! Very civilised.

notanan2 Sun 09-Feb-20 13:50:38

Yes our cinema has an alcohol licence.

We dont have an evening meal if we're going to the cinema we eat there.

Its a whole "experience" and there is no written exam at the end of the show so LOL at "full concentration".
I do not go to the cinema to concentrate.

Grandad1943 Sun 09-Feb-20 13:48:05

I am afraid that times have changed and eating popcorn, crisps and having a glass of wine while the performance is going on is now very much part of the whole experience for the vast majority who go.

Simple as that.

notanan2 Sun 09-Feb-20 13:44:46

Cinema food is 85% the point of going to the cinema IMO

I love it! And the market for it is huge so..

grumppa Sun 09-Feb-20 13:43:16

Does anyone else remember the Monseigneur News Theatre in London's Piccadilly? Back in the 1950s there was a café at the side of the auditorium, which served hot food (I remember baked beans or spaghetti on toast) and was arranged so that the screen could still be seen from the tables.

Bring back civilised snacking!

AlisonKF Sun 09-Feb-20 13:37:51

There is absolutely no need ever to eat at a public performance requiring silence and concentration. I always go to a small cinema which has an excellent cafe restaurant attached. There are no popcorn buckets or sweets on sale. If eating is absolutely necessary, have some coffee and cookies before or after the show. Or a full meal. The local multi screen is a sort of cinema hell starting with the horrible carpet and the huge range of snacks being consumed largely by children. The reason fo the snacks is to make as much profit as possible. Children brought up on this habit of eating carry it on into adulthood and even into the theatre on occasion.

Nanny41 Sun 09-Feb-20 13:15:11

So irritating when food is allowed in to a cinema,it should be forbidden, likewise mobile shouldnt be allowed, why would anyone need to check their phone when going to see a film, and talking is the same, why go to the cinema to talk through the film.Give me the good old days, smoke and all!Only joking, but things were fine up to a few years ago.

Rosina Sun 09-Feb-20 12:55:32

I have given up completely on going to the cinema. I wait for the DVD and watch it at home. I bought a film I wanted to see which had premiered only a few months ago for £5.99, and four of us sat watching it. I know you don't get the big screen atmosphere but I just cannot take other people talking and eating and getting up and down and arriving late - our last cinema visit cost over £40 and was a nightmare. There were two people not far behind, clearly bored with the film, sending each other ringtones on their mobiles - I thought OH was about to explode but fortunately they were asked to leave. They had ruined a large part of the film for everyone.

Oopsminty Sun 09-Feb-20 12:44:13

Just move if you are anywhere near a loud eater or talker.

I'd have had to have moved out of the cinema!

The place was packed