Eating at the cinema

They should bring back the old usherettes that they used to have,for this reason as they were there to tell people to keep down the noise etc,also it would still be helpful for them to help show you to your seats in the dark,which i always have trouble with- while helping provide jobs for some young people too! If its really a problem when folk are talking& munching,once films got underway,and its obvious which seats are/arent taken,just move further away from the offenders.& if questioned by staff about changing seats just say "well you need to keep people quiet then dont you?"

Some films just need to be seen on a large cinema screen and 1917 is certainly one of those we felt. The photography and sound were everything we were told to expect and in that it really makes you feel part of all that is going on. A truly great film we felt that lived up to all the pre-release hype.

However, for many the crisps and popcorn are all part of the cinema experience in these modern times, and as long as people do not talk during the film we are prepared to go along with the eating.

Oh for the days when you got shushed by all and sundry for rustling sweet papers ( mind you, a group of us went to see the Towering Inferno one afternoon and I actually missed about 10 minutes of it because one of the group dropped the last Toffo in the tube on the floor and proceeded to crawl around looking for it!)
We always used to go to Woolies for the pic'n'mix before going, but made sure we chose sweets without wrappings!
It's just now the general attitude of "knickers to everyone else" - I wonder if the reason that many cinemas are struggling is because people are tired of not being able to follow the whole film because of the noise made by other customers?
Just don't get me started on people eating on trains!

We only go to the cinema in the afternoon these days - so much more civilised.

My DDs and a friend went recently and the big group of girls behind carried on talking and laughing as the film started. Quiet DD said she knew it would end badly. Sure enough assertive DD and equally assertive friend turned round simultaneously and gave them such a roasting they barely breathed for the rest of the film. People nearby applauded.

The chatterers are almost always female and elderly, and I've never understood why they paid to go to the cinema in the first place when you can do that, along with unlimited cheap cuppas, at home. The whole eating works is an American import. My American friend, when visiting quite a long time ago, was so impressed by the total lack of it in our cinemas - she wouldn't be any more!! I mostly watch films at home, on the pc.

I love going to the cinema. And eithet go with friends or family. If I go with friends I just take a drink in. Different when I go with gc, I'll buy them snacks from cinema as a treat. It's normally popcorn and a drink. But hate it when people have crisps, or any crunchy food. And if people talk, then I've been known to say something.

My local arty-farty cinema has banned eating, drinking and mobiles.

Quite right, too.

Reading all the posts on this thread makes me realise why I rarely go to the cinema, would rather watch films at home when no longer new.

I rarely go to the cinema now because of people eating such smelly food. The volume is so loud too. I would rather wait until I can watch it in the comfort of my own home in peace.

You talk about food and I agree with most of you but what's with the alcohol can't you go a few hours without a drink in your hand, it's just encouraging people to drink more we never needed it before why now!?

We were watching a French film recently in the cine lumiere in Kensington which has a no eating policy during a film. The woman next to me started eating incredibly smelly crisps which she had in her handbag. After some eye rolling I told her there was a no eating policy which she obviously knew, and she stopped. Much to the relief of those in adjacent seats. The problem in most cinemas is the lack of staff to enforce any noise/ movement/ behaviour issues.

Se only go to the most unpopular times like morning showings and are usually on our own or only one or two other couples as neither of us can tolerate, the rustlings, cracklings, talking and smell - I know we are old moaners.

Don't go to cinemas anymore.
Completely spoilt by eating, drinking and bloody mobile phones. Not to mention (as others have) the non stop jibber jabber of some morons in the audience.
I just wait until the film comes out on DVD or shown on the TV. Bliss.....

Seems amazing to me that people can't manage a couple of hours without stuffing food into their faces. I rarely go to the cinema these days, but when I do it's in the afternoon and towards the end of the film's run at the cinema so the chances of sharing the place with more than about 10 others are minimal. (I also prefer to go alone - love the escape and the peace!)

The phones are a nuisance. Some people think they're discreetly checking them and don't seem to realise the light is hugely distracting for everyone sitting behind them.

Also people drinking large buckets of coke and then disturbing everyone in their row when they inevitably have to make a couple of trips to the loo

It does spoil the film when you are next to someone constantly eating. I also hate the phones, yes people have them on silent but they light up when a message or txt comes through. Turning them off seems almost impossible for some.

I’m embarrassed ?... when I go to the cinema with a friend I usually take a box of Maltesers .... I went with my son and ex husband recently and we even had a drinky drink with the outside bought popcorn ? .... and some people in front of us also had tinnys ?

I haven't been to the cinema for years - mostly because of the behaviour of other patrons! I want to watch a film not listen to people eating and having a conversation.

Am I the only one who carries a can of (food safe) air freshener in my bag to use when strong-smelling food is consumed in my close vicinity?

Don’t mind eating so long as it is quiet, non smelly and the wrapping also quiet. Went to a Fleetwood Mac tribute at the Lowry a while ago and some girls behind us where very noisy - laughing and talking. They were evicted at the interval- most satisfying for all those around!!

I love the Everyman Cinemas for a really nice experience, we have one a couple of miles away from us, comfy sofas and you can bring in a glass of wine, bought in the foyer with you, side tables provided. However, some of their screens are quite small, and with films such as 1917 for example, a big screen experience is a must, so in that case we do opt for our local multiplex Odeon, cheaper, but a greater proliferation of "munchers"

I went to see the David Copperfield film last week and a family arrived with four children aged from about 6 to 2. It was a completely unsuitable film for them and within a half hour or so the older ones were on phones (lighting up the cinema) and the toddlers were running around the aisles. People asked them to control the children (including cinema staff) but they did nothing.

The Everyman cinema in Altrincham, near to where my daughter lives actually serves burgers, pizzas and drinks and brings them in and serves you at your seat when they are cooked, during the film. We were astounded when visiting with our GC. The rows are especially spacious to accommodate the waiting staff delivering meals!

It happens at the theatre too, I am sorry to say. I don't think we have progressed much from the days when Nell Gwyn sold oranges to theatre goers in the 17th century.

I agree about the food and talking in the cinema, extremely irritating.
People are thoughtless and uncaring, why pay for entertainment if you want to talk through it and fiddle with your phone as I saw at last visit.