Sneaking contraband into the cinema, what's the forum's position

cloud493

Some places have it as a big rule, some might have it on the premises, and some its just an unwritten rule.

hardCopy

OldGoat wrote: »

Has anyone ever been turned out of a cinema for bringing in their own sweets?

I had my sweets taken into escrow at the cinema in tralee circa 1992.

A coach load of us were stopped and searched on the way in. The manager kept the sweets until we were leaving.

These days they don't seem to care. Cineworld and Odeon Blanch both have rival retailers right next door with people openly walking in with plastic bags full of food and soft drinks.

Trent Houseboat

Gannicus wrote: »

I've never said it was stealing. But if you pay in to a nightclub by all these definitions its okay to bring in a bottle of vodka or whiskey because you've paid in. but most reasonable people don't as they'd be ejected and prices of drinks in nightclubs and pubs in this country are far more overpriced than cinema food. I agree that some food items are overpriced in cinemas as I've said but I've also said I understand the reasons behind it.

Stop making the same terrible comparison. It's closer to bringing your own cigarettes to the night club.

Gannicus

Trent Houseboat wrote: »

Stop making the same terrible comparison. It's closer to bringing your own cigarettes to the night club.

It's only a terrible comparison because you can't refute it. Bringing your own cigarettes to a night club is nothing like that at all.

It a poor justification for doing something that's ethically wrong. A lot of people know in their heart of hearts its wrong that's why people sneak the goodies in, instead of just walking in with them.

People still go to Eddie Rockets and their prices are extortionate when there's so many other places where the food costs less but is still as nice. People go to certain pubs just for the name of the place and pay through the nose for pints... that taste as good or as bad as places that sell the exact same thing for €1 - €2 less.

The_Captain

Gannicus wrote: »

It a poor justification for doing something that's ethically wrong.

:rolleyes:

The only reason people don't bring their own drink into nightclubs is because you'll be turfed out if you do. There's no moral dilemma to it, nobody stops to consider how the management will make ends meet or if shareholders profits will drop.
If a nightclub allowed people to bring in their own drink, people wouldn't refuse because it's "ethically wrong", they'd have cheap nagons on every table.

Gannicus

The_Captain wrote: »

:rolleyes:

The only reason people don't bring their own drink into nightclubs is because you'll be turfed out if you do. There's no moral dilemma to it, nobody stops to consider how the management will make ends meet or if shareholders profits will drop.
If a nightclub allowed people to bring in their own drink, people wouldn't refuse because it's "ethically wrong", they'd have cheap nagons on every table.

That part in bold exactly my point. I've said that in previous posts. People keep saying its a poor comparison when its not, its the same comparison just in a different social environment.

cloud493

But the purpose of a nightclub (as a business) is surely to sell alcohol at inflated rates. Meanwhile a cinema is a place to watch movies, the sweet shop part is (or rather should) be secondary.

Gannicus

cloud493 wrote: »

But the purpose of a nightclub (as a business) is surely to sell alcohol at inflated rates. Meanwhile a cinema is a place to watch movies, the sweet shop part is (or rather should) be secondary.

The primary purpose of pubs and less-so nightclubs is to entertain people like a cinema - hence why nightclubs charge in, because people generally drink less as the are dancing/mooching or trying it on with someone so they need to make up the difference with entrance fees so booze is secondary in that respect just like confectionery in cinema

Egginacup

Shiraz 4.99 wrote: »

Wife brought ours & 2 neighbours kids to the cinema yesterday as a mid term treat.
Anyway, they stopped off at a local Centra to pick up the contraband before going in.
One of the kids refused as his parents had taught him it was stealing.
Rather than buy him his 1000% markup popcorn combo my missus let him go hungry while the other munched into their Manhattan & Haribo.

What's the forum's opinion on smuggling food into the cinema ?, I'd be interested in hearing if there is a consensus.

I bring my own booze and grub to the park, lakeshore, open-air concert rather than buy from stands and stalls. Don't see the cinema as any different.

josip

We never buy those overpriced packs of popcorn from retail outlets.
We grow our own maize and bring the kernels to the cinema where we pop it on a Camping Gaz stove.
We churn our own butter and we melt that on the stove too.
We usually slip the usher a fifty to turn a blind eye and we've never been asked to leave yet.

D-FENS

Buying a box of popcorn at the cinema is vital for a date….how else are you going to make a hole in the bottom for your cock?...

Gannicus

D-FENS wrote: »

Buying a box of popcorn at the cinema is vital for a date….how else are you going to make a hole in the bottom for your cock?...

And that's why most cinemas don't put butter on popcorn any more

old_aussie

Shiraz 4.99 wrote: »

One of the kids refused as his parents had taught him it was stealing.
1000% markup popcorn
.

Yes it's theft by the movie house.

DoYouEvenLift

Is that powdered alcohol stuff coming out soon or is it not happening at all? Bringing your own alcohol into clubs will be a lot easier once that's available, would imagine it being easier would result in a big increase of people bringing it in with them

cloud493

Powdered alcohol sounds revolting :eek:

deco nate

DoYouEvenLift wrote: »

Is that powdered alcohol stuff coming out soon or is it not happening at all? Bringing your own alcohol into clubs will be a lot easier once that's available, would imagine it being easier would result in a big increase of people bringing it in with them

Think it was banned in the US, not sure about the EU yet.

Optimalprimerib

Does anyone have an experience of being stopped bringing your own food in? I haven't.

I have to say, the last time at the cinema, I got the large nachos at the odeon. They were gorgeous. Really fresh. The quantity was laughable though. A standard packet of tayto's worth with 3 dips.

cloud493

I have, once or twice. Jumped up cinema employees saying they 'had to search my bag' before entering the screen :rolleyes:

DoYouEvenLift

deco nate wrote: »

Think it was banned in the US, not sure about the EU yet.

Haha really? That didn't last long. I remember seeing an original article about it and lots of people were asking if you could snort it and get instantly drunk

Egginacup

Shiraz 4.99 wrote: »

Wife brought ours & 2 neighbours kids to the cinema yesterday as a mid term treat.
Anyway, they stopped off at a local Centra to pick up the contraband before going in.
One of the kids refused as his parents had taught him it was stealing.
Rather than buy him his 1000% markup popcorn combo my missus let him go hungry while the other munched into their Manhattan & Haribo.

What's the forum's opinion on smuggling food into the cinema ?, I'd be interested in hearing if there is a consensus.

Is their surname McWanker?
Is "flipping heck" a dire swear to them and is "Buzz off!" the term used when their patience is really tested? :pac:

Egginacup

Iranoutofideas wrote: »

Cinema popcorn is vile with the amount of salt on it. Might as well get a container of Saxo and pour it down my throat during the movie

Salted gravy? Saxa + Paxo

yipeeeee

Optimalprimerib wrote: »

Does anyone have an experience of being stopped bringing your own food in? I haven't.

I have to say, the last time at the cinema, I got the large nachos at the odeon. They were gorgeous. Really fresh. The quantity was laughable though. A standard packet of tayto's worth with 3 dips.

In all fairness the large nachos are great value, definitely a lot more than a pack of tayto.

Egginacup

Gannicus wrote: »

It's only a terrible comparison because you can't refute it. Bringing your own cigarettes to a night club is nothing like that at all.

It a poor justification for doing something that's ethically wrong. A lot of people know in their heart of hearts its wrong that's why people sneak the goodies in, instead of just walking in with them.

People still go to Eddie Rockets and their prices are extortionate when there's so many other places where the food costs less but is still as nice. People go to certain pubs just for the name of the place and pay through the nose for pints... that taste as good or as bad as places that sell the exact same thing for €1 - €2 less.

Look, you go to a nightclub to drink and dance (or maybe just prop up the bar in the hope of scoring). You don't go to the cinema to eat. The service you are paying for is the movie on a big screen with big sound and a big chair. If you get hungry or thirsty during that movie you eat and drink. You can pay the sh1t prices for a bottle of water there or you can have your own.
When I take a train trip, ferry, coach trip, flight, etc., I am paying for the mode of conveyance. It's not a fucking pub/club on wheels so if I get hungry during the trip I'll grab one of the sandwiches I brought on board. If I want to drink something I'll dip into the backpack and crack open a cold beer. My girlfriend and I traveled on trains around Europe on weekends away all the time. We'd pile into the station supermarket before embarking and grab beer, wine miniatures, baguettes, olives, ham slices, water, etc then get on the train. Damned if we were going to pay 10 euros for a stale croissant and an acrid glass of plonk in the bar car.

Would you pay £4 for a pack of skittles on a Ryanair flight or bring a bar of chocolate or deli sandwich with you?

Fuck cinema "ethics". The only ethics when going to a cinema are to respect your fellow movie fans and keep quiet.

Connemara Farmer

Optimalprimerib wrote: »

Does anyone have an experience of being stopped bringing your own food in? I haven't.

Yep, Eye cinema in Galway will stop and search. Reminded me of the last time I was at Gatwick airport.

Egginacup

Gannicus wrote: »

That part in bold exactly my point. I've said that in previous posts. People keep saying its a poor comparison when its not, its the same comparison just in a different social environment.

It's a crap comparison. You go to a pub/club to drink. That is the PURPOSE of the place. A cinema isn't a restaurant anymore than a ****ing hurling match is. Is it "ethically" wrong to bring your own sandwiches, drinks, apples, etc., to the stadium instead of buying a tub of HB from Liamo the ice-cream guy?
I've been to football matches in different places. Always brought a backpack into the stadium with me and of course it was always searched. Inside was usually sandwiches. Only thing that was ever confiscated was plastic bottle of mineral water as it could make a serious dent in someone if thrown from a height. Inside the ground there were drinking water fountains for free anyway. Beer and softdrinks were reasonably priced anyway....just served in plastic containers. People still brought their own food, snacks, etc as the hotdogs and pretzels and burgers were not great.

If you were going to Glastonbury or some such festival (where you're paying for the entertainment just like in a cinema) for a few days would you bring a weekend's worth or water, beer, fruit, a grub hamper, toothpaste, soap, deodorant and toilet paper with you into the grounds or would you arrive empty-handed and buy every damn thing you wanted/needed in there because it's "ethically" wrong not to, and is akin to bringing a bottle of Scotch to the pub?

And your analogy of going to an expensive restaurant or pub instead of a cheaper one is ridiculous also.

Gannicus

Egginacup wrote: »

It's a crap comparison. You go to a pub/club to drink. That is the PURPOSE of the place. A cinema isn't a restaurant anymore than a ****ing hurling match is.

.....

If you were going to Glastonbury or some such festival (where you're paying for the entertainment just like in a cinema) for a few days would you bring a weekend's worth or water, beer, fruit, a grub hamper, toothpaste, soap, deodorant and toilet paper with you into the grounds or would you arrive empty-handed and buy every damn thing you wanted/needed in there because it's "ethically" wrong not to, and is akin to bringing a bottle of Scotch to the pub?

And your analogy of going to an expensive restaurant or pub instead of a cheaper one is ridiculous also.

Right we'll go with the comparison you gave of a gig. Fair enough whatever about bringing grub or booze to Oxegen (Not familiar with Glastonbury). They let you bring it in they are just not keen on glass being brought into the festival so that comparison is moot also from my view

But look towards something like going to the Olympia or The Point. You buy a ticket for a gig, primarily to see that act, buying an overpriced pint in a gig is only secondary there but you still get searched for booze on the way in and you get all drinks etc taken off you so why should a cinema be different?

Reggie.

wes wrote: »

Wait, he actually taught it was stealing? What the hell are his parents teaching him.

His parents probably own IMC cinemas

josip

wes wrote: »

Wait, he actually taught it was stealing? What the hell are his parents teaching him.

No, he just gave his opinion, I don't think the OP's wife learned anything.

Micky Dolenz

I dislike the cinema a lot. It pisses people off when I ask them to pause it while I go to the jacks.

wes

josip wrote: »

No, he just gave his opinion, I don't think the OP's wife learned anything.

Saying something is an opinion, doesn't change the fact that a claim is factually wrong. Bringing outside sweets into a cinema is not stealing, and to say that it is stealing is to stretch the meaning of the word beyond recognition.

Now, you can argue the rights and wrongs of bringing in outside sweets into the cinema, but its not stealing, and quite frankly the parents who said that are being silly.

cerastes

cloud493 wrote: »

But the purpose of a nightclub (as a business) is surely to sell alcohol at inflated rates. Meanwhile a cinema is a place to watch movies, the sweet shop part is (or rather should) be secondary.

exactly, comparing pub/club and drinks to cinemas and sweets isnt comparing like with like.
Now if I brought my own film in and demanded it be shown or something.

It would be more like if someone brought their own smokes to the Pub and the owners had signs up forbidding it insisted and had staff searching everyone and only smokes purchased on the premises could be smoked.

cloud493 wrote: »

I have, once or twice. Jumped up cinema employees saying they 'had to search my bag' before entering the screen :rolleyes:

how'd that go?, Id tell them to clear off.

shruikan2553

Optimalprimerib wrote: »

Does anyone have an experience of being stopped bringing your own food in? I haven't.

I have to say, the last time at the cinema, I got the large nachos at the odeon. They were gorgeous. Really fresh. The quantity was laughable though. A standard packet of tayto's worth with 3 dips.

Nachos in cinemas can be nice or terrible. I stopped getting them in Galway after they gave me a box with a silver crisp packet and a tub with tin foil to peel off. I could have bought a nacho cheese dip and pack of doritos if I wanted that!

Im surprised there are no cinemas which attempt to provide decent food.

cloud493

cerastes wrote: »

exactly, comparing pub/club and drinks to cinemas and sweets isnt comparing like with like.
Now if I brought my own film in and demanded it be shown or something.

It would be more like if someone brought their own smokes to the Pub and the owners had signs up forbidding it insisted and had staff searching everyone and only smokes purchased on the premises could be smoked.



how'd that go?, Id tell them to clear off.

I said 'no thanks mate, your not the police' and they backed off.

Red Alert

I pay to see the film. Do Irish Rail similarly ban people eating their own food on trains? Thought not!

_Kaiser_

Haven't been to the cinema in about 3 years.. expensive and usually have at least one bunch of annoying kids so you can't enjoy it in peace

Instead I'm sitting here tonight on my comfy "premium seat" (couch) eating cheap snacks and a coke and watching Predator on my 47" Full HD TV

Home cinema FTW

McChubbin

I would be inclined to follow Kaiser's lead, especially as I now have a reclining two seater all to myself.
Cinema food prices are extortionate at best and the amount of times I've glared at screaming kids is too numerous to count.
Still, some movies warrant a trip to see them on the big screen. I'm hoping to see Interstellar next week as it comes across as one of those movies that needs to be seen in as big a screen as possible. I have a love/hate relationship with the cinema- hate the food prices and screaming, excitable brats but love seeing certain films on the big screen.

Capt'n Midnight

Agricola wrote: »

There really should be different cinemas for people who actually give a fúck about the film they are going to see and the rest who just want somewhere to go to stuff their face.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/movie_theater_layout

wandatowell

Some fella behind me two weeks ago in Mahon Point cinema had a burger and chips with him, smelt bloody awful!

cerastes

wandatowell wrote: »

Some fella behind me two weeks ago in Mahon Point cinema had a burger and chips with him, smelt bloody awful!

That would be pushing it for me, Im all for people saving a few quid but putting out other customers.