Should people be banned from bringing in foods and drinks to the cinema???
By lingli_78
@lingli_78 (12822)
Australia
January 6, 2009 1:56am CST
i just read the newspaper today and there is a comment written by one of the reader in the your comment section saying that people shouldn't be allowed to bring foods inside the cinema... the reason is because they create too much noise... the plastic paper sound, the munching sound, etc... and it really distracts people from enjoying the movie... he even say that the distraction is worst than people talking on the cell phone during the movie... not to say the mess that the people left after they finish eating... what is your say on this matter??? do you agree or disagree??? do you usually bring foods and drinks to the cinema??? thanks in advance for responding to my discussion... take care and have a nice day everybody...
16 people like this
61 responses
@patzel88 (3310)
• Philippines
6 Jan 09
in cenima here we are not allow to bring soft drinks and foods before we enter in the cenima but if you will have to buy a food from their canteen you are allowed to bring the food inside.
I guess the owner of the cinema wants to have more incentives to the people who they are having fun in cenima.
2 people like this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
6 Jan 09
thanks for responding... yes, a lot of cinemas now don't allowed people to bring food from outside unless if we buy it from their canteen which the price is ridiculously high... that's why i prefer just to watch movie at home from the DVD... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@rashmi1979 (112)
• United States
6 Jan 09
I have never been to a cinema that doesn't allow food & drink inside. In fact Popcorn-Coke combo is so attached to the movie watching experience that I cannot imagine going to a cinema and not having one! I have done this all my years and when I was small, I inisted to getting one everytime , it was a Huge Treat! :-)
However, some cinemas insist that audiences that can only carry food bought from their stalls and not from outside. Some cinemas allow all food - theirs as well as outside.
I do get upset sometimes when people leave mess behind them and are careful while eating-sharing their stuff..It definitely acts as a huge turnoff! However , I have never been distracted by the sound of paper etc..I dont think they count much! especially because here, there aren't many people in the cinema in any given show. Even in packed shows I have not been distracted by the food people bring on but definitely by their chatter-comments or babies crying..
I would hate it if all cinemas banned all kinds of food-drink inside as I love to watch my movie cuddled with my Popcorn Tub on my lap! :)
@egdcltd (12059)
•
6 Jan 09
I don't think cinemas would want to implement this. The markup on the snacks sold in the cinema is so huge - they tend to cost between 2 and three times normal retail price (not wholesale) - that I think a rather large portion on a cinemas profits come from selling food.
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
6 Jan 09
thanks for responding... i do agree entirely with you... they will lose lots of money if they implement this... take care and have a nice day...
@saizo6 (2199)
• United States
6 Jan 09
They would be losing money if they implement something like this. That means they can't sell snacks and drinks at the concession stands. I usually bring in some snacks when I go to the movies but I'll still buy popcorn and soda there. Plus, you can't really enjoy a movie without the snacks and soda. That just doesn't sound right.
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
6 Jan 09
thanks for responding... yes, i agree with you that the cinema will lose something if they implement this... i hope people can be more courteous and discipline towards other people when they bring food inside the cinema so that everybody can enjoy the movie and the food at the same time... take care and have a nice day...
@nini89 (670)
• India
15 Jan 09
Here in Indian Cinema halls the food items can be teken inside the theatre from their canteen itself not from outside. Whenever we go for a movie in the interval we go and get a popcorn or some items to have or to munch something and watch the movie that is interesting by sharing and eating. We cant think of the movie with out any of this items or the kids will be annoyed if we dont buy anything for them to eat.
1 person likes this
@daydreamer20 (1688)
• Malaysia
6 Jan 09
I've heard of this news before. I believe someone actually implemented this in the UK in certain cinemas. The reason I can think of is that some of the popcorn sold there can be quite smelly due to the butter. But in my country, we don't really have such a problem. As long as you don't eat too clumsily and noisily, I believe it is still not that bad. I don't mind if my friends eat popcorn or chips next to me, just make sure they don't eat it like there's no tomorrow.
But when it comes to mobile phones, I cannot tolerate at all. If the person is answer phone call nearby me, I will SHHH him very loud. Another type of person is those who loves to shake their leg and also your chair! Once, I even turned around and snapped my finger in front of the person to get his attention and finally said "Can you please stop it?!"
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
6 Jan 09
thanks for responding... i agree with you completely... i don't mind people eating inside the cinema at all as long as they do it quietly... as for mobile phone, i really can't tolerate it at all... i prefer to hear the munching and plastic bag sounds rather than the noise of people talking on the phone... it annoys me a lot... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@littletinker (273)
•
7 Jan 09
Popcorn is smelly in the UK??? What are you talking about? lol
We can eat popcorn in all the cinemas in the UK because the cinemas SELL it!
People should have consideration when eating in cinemas, thats all, but where ever you go in life you will always find selfish people.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
6 Jan 09
thanks for responding... yes, i do agree with you that munching popcorn while watching movie is really nice... but that is what people are complaining about... the munching noise... :-) take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
7 Jan 09
lingli_78...I think thats part of the excitement of going to the movies, getting to eat popcorn and drinking soda while your watching it, theres nothing like movie popcorn, all that butter..lol. Most theaters play the movies so loud that I don't see how you could even hear all the munching anyway. It doesn't ever bother me...
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
7 Jan 09
hello lingli...yeah i bring food from the cinema..i do agree with you it creates noise..but i don't think im in favor of banning or whatever..i guess the theater owner should post guidelines on what to bring instead of forbidding it..i like eating inside...
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding... i also disagree if they banned people entirely from bringing food inside... people just have to be more courteous and discipline when they eat inside a cinema and think about other people... take care and have a nice day...
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
7 Jan 09
I will definitely give my vote to ban anyone from bringing food that disperse out even a wee bit of aroma into the cinema. Even though some cinema try to cut down the "leftovers" by introducing or allowing only "cinema-approved" food, often popcorn, I am too annoyed by the smell of the popcorn. I am allergic to the aroma of pop-corn.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding... you are the third person here who agree to ban food inside the cinema... and also, you are the first person here who are allergic to the smell of popcorn... interesting... take care and have a nice day...
@BYOLA2871 (4371)
• South Africa
7 Jan 09
wellwhen you consider the fACT THAT THE CINEMA AUTHORITY MAY HAVE THEIR OWN SNACKS CENTER THEN IT WILL BE BAD BUSINESS FOR THEM TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO BRING IN THEIR OWN FOOD TO THE CINEMAS,IT DOES NOT MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE FOR THEM TO ALLOW SUCH,BUT IN CASE OF PEOPLE WHO NEED SPECIAL DIETS I THINK THIS ISHOULD BE ALLOWED FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR HELATH .OOPS!! SORRY ABOUT MY TYPING IN THE UPPER CASE
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding... i agree with you that people with special diets should be given special consideration by the cinema authority... and it is OK with your upper case typing... you are forgiven... :-) take care and have a nice day...
@neuronic (242)
• Japan
7 Jan 09
I am more "conservative" and bring in the usual "accessories" - popcorn and coke. And I believe I am not making so much noise, but it is true that some people bring candies, chocolate and whatnot. Usually these kind of products are packed in bag that usually produces annoying sound. But to ban people because they're bringing foods in... well guess what that'd do to the industry. I mean, most of the people today can already watch movies at home in the same atmosphere they get in cinema, so go figure what would the ban do to their box office :)
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding... i agree with you that the industry will suffer a lot if they start banning people to bring food inside the cinema because people will prefer to rent a movie and watch it at home at their own comfort... especially with LCD TV and plasma booming nowadays... we can get the same quality of image watching from home and in the cinema... take care and have a nice day...
@Chocobear (86)
• United States
7 Jan 09
Well here in the USA the majority of the movie theatres don't allow customers to bring their own... However, that doesn't stop people, especiall if you have a big purse to bring in your own popcorn...
After all who in their RIGHT MIND would normally spend $22.00 on 2 popcorns and 2 pops...?
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding... here, they don't allowed people to bring their own food to the cinema as well... and you are right... i will never buy the food at the cinema because the price is ridiculous... take care and have a nice day...
@eclecticeducation (112)
• United States
7 Jan 09
Wow! I've never hear of this before!!! No, I don't think it should be banned. For one thing, even though I absolutely hate the horrible prices that cinemas charge for their concessions, the concession sales are vital to the cinema making money and I have heard that it is the only real money that the cinema makes. If they cut out the concession stands they would probably have to raise the price of movies so much that the normal person could not ever afford to go.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding... i agree with you entirely... if they have to ban people bringing food inside the cinema entirely, then they will lose lots of money and they have to raise the ticket money... take care and have a nice day...
@mysticmaggie (2498)
• United States
7 Jan 09
I have occasionally brought food into a movie, but mainly because with a diabetic husband and a daughter verging on it, there are few choices for them at the counter. I do make sure I use ziploc bags to put them in. This avoids the crinkling sounds.
Cell phones are another matter. Turn the dang things off! If you are waiting for a call that is so important you can't sit through a movie without it, then wait until you can. They are enormous interruptions and some folks don't have the good sense to leave the theater and go to the hallway or lobby to converse. One lady, who obviously couldn't hear well and thought no one else could either, was actually shouting through a five-minute conversation with her buddy --- in the theater next door! An usher asked her to leave and she smacked him with her purse. Eventually two ushers 'ushered' her out.
But if the gentleman wants a place where folks won't eat, will be enormously clean and thoughtful, rental movies are available for viewing at home.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding... yes, i do agree with you that people just have to be more courteous towards other people... using cell phone in the cinema is definitely a NO as it is a big distraction to other viewers... and you are right too... the gentleman can just rent a movie and watch it at home at his own comfort if he doesn't want anybody to disturb him... take care and have a nice day...
@countless (75)
• India
7 Jan 09
I don't think think people should be disallowed from bringing food inside the cinema. I have never felt distracted by by any noise simply because I haven't heard any noise- any plastic paper sound, etc. As regards to the mess, the cinema sweepers/people (whatever you call them) clean it up after each show. Hence, cinema-goers simply cannot see the mess during the show as it is dark!
In Mumbai(India) where I live, people are anyways disallowed from bringing outside food into the cinema hall. You can only purchase food from the cinema canteen and take it inside.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding and welcome to mylot community... here we are not allowed to bring outside food as well to the cinema... you can only bring food that you purchase from the canteen which the price is really ridiculous... take care and have a nice day...
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
7 Jan 09
Hi lingli_78! It is not often that I watch movies in the cinemas; however, in those rare times, I do bring food and drinks with me when watching. And I don't mind other people bring food and drinks in the cinema either. It is fun watching movies while eating. haha..And I wouldn't agree if food will be banned in the cinemas because it will be less enjoyable watching. Besides I have seen moviegoers throwing their empty drinks and food packs in the trash bin although I must admit that there are some who just leave their litter behind. What irritates and distract me are people who talk too much while the movie is ongoing or their cell phones keep on ringing.
Take care always.
lovelots..faith210
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding faith... yes, i do agree with you that it is fun to watch movie while eating and i enjoy it as well... as long as we do it courteously and be considerate to other people, it is fine... and i dislike it as well when people talk during the movie or let their cell phone ring... it is so inconsiderate... take care and have a nice day...
@snowy22315 (182175)
• United States
6 Jan 09
As far as I know people have never been able to bring in food from home for the movies. They have always been allowed to buy food at the concession stand but bringing food from home is somthing that has alwasy been discouraged. I guess this is a rule that people really need to adhere to and look to fulfill.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding... yes, we are not allowed to bring food from outside here as well... that's why i prefer to watch movie at home rather than going to the cinema... it is cheaper and more relaxing... take care and have a nice day...
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
6 Jan 09
I don't think food and drinks should be banned in the cinema. Well, I for one would love to watch while munching popcorn so I would not mind if other people also do munch their own snacks while watching. Now if there are people who are highly sensitive to the noise created by plastic papers, munching or sipping sounds, they have the option to just watch the film in the comfort of their home. Anyway the eating inside the cinema is not like eating in a picnic ground. As I myself would do, I don't really go the movie to eat but I eat inside in order to fully enjoy my stay there so I prefer to have something to munch while sitting and watching. I don't agree that the distraction is worst than people talking on the cell phone during the movie. The noise created by eating could be considered just white noise while if someone is talking at the phone it is just like you are beside two people talking aloud while sharing different stories and that is more annoying as it will really distract your watching.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for your response... i myself also like to munch on something while watching movies... otherwise, i feel not complete... people just need to be more courteous when they are eating in the cinema and try to minimise the noise... and i do agree with you that the noise of people talking on the cell phone is more annoying compare to the munching and sipping noise... take care and have a nice day...
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
7 Jan 09
I don't think food makes that much noise - the plastic does, you're right. But I still think it doesn't make that much noise if the person eating is somewhat near understanding. I actually like bringing food in the cinema because it helps me relax better - watching a movie that I've been anticipating, and eating the food that I like gives it the perfect ambiance :D
Cellphones are another matter of course. Even sending/receiving SMS is irritating.
But you know what's most irritating? When THE AUDIENCE ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE WATCHING AT THAT MOMENT. That I can't take.
Thanks for the response on my discussion!
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding to my discussion as well... i also like to bring food to the cinema as well... but i try my best to minimise the noise when i eat it... and i can't stand people talking about the movie as well when i am watching... it spoils the fun and disturbs me a lot... take care and have a nice day...
@rsreekanth (69)
• India
7 Jan 09
we cannot completely accept this comment because some enjoy watching movies by having some snacks items.some may not feel comfortable after having their stomach fully loaded.so people should be allowed to have snacks items ,but not in plastic covers instead of that should have paper bags .using mobile should be completely banned.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding... i just hope people will be more courteous when they bring food to the cinema and using mobile phone is definitely a NO as it is being very inconsiderate to other people and can disturb people who are enjoying a good movie... take care and have a nice day...
@bamrahkirti (1821)
• India
7 Jan 09
People go to movies for the sake of enjoyment and entertainment and carrying food is must have if you are going for a movie.The combination of pop corns and cold drink is an essential part of movie and without this,movie cannot be enjoyed.
Some cinemas insist to buy food from their stalls only and do not permit to bring food from outside.It is all right from their sale and profit point of view.As far as noise created by munching of food and of plastic paper is involved,it is negligible.
If carrying food,people should be little cautious not to spill the remaining food items and papers.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Jan 09
thanks for responding... i agree with you that watching movie without pop corns and cold drink is not very enjoyable... as long as the people do it courteously, i don't mind at all people bringing food to the cinema... take care and have a nice day...
