Ethics and movie theater food

[rex]

Maybe just have it in your purse when you pick them up? And don't make a big deal out of it.

I honestly see nothing wrong with bringing food for the movies.

[UMaineTeach]

you have to be morally upstanding for them.

plus, I know that actually buying food at the theater was a huge treat for me growing up (usually we went w/o, rarely brought things in).

[froggy76]

I'd probably just suck it up and buy candy at the theater. I'd also be fine with bringing my own candy in front of my own kids, but I wouldn't want to set a bad example in front of someone else's kid.

[rex]

May 19, 2012 9:46:06 GMT -5 UMaineTeach said:

you have to be morally upstanding for them.

plus, I know that actually buying food at the theater was a huge treat for me growing up (usually we went w/o, rarely brought things in).

This is a good point I hadn't thought of.

It's probably a big deal for them to go to the movies, so maybe it's better to splurge.

[fortmyersbride]

I'd probably suck it up and buy it there when with someone else's kids. But I have no issues teaching mine to sneak it in

[mollybrown]

I don't think bringing your own food is unethical, so I'd just bring the candy. None of the theaters around me have a no outside food policy that they post anyway. I also think it's good to teach good money habits, and buying overpriced candy at the theater that you can buy next door for half as much isn't a great lesson.

[CloudBee]

Spring for the food. I always found it weird when someone other than my own parents (an adult) made me eat whatever food they chose and smuggled in. Limit the visit to either candy or pop corn, and a drink.

[jigsy]

If you wouldn't be okay carrying the candy in your hand into the theater with you littles, I don't think you should sneak it either. Basically, I'm saying if you know it's wrong because you are being sneaky, maybe you shouldn't be modeling that behavior.

[doctordonna]

I worked in a movie theater for many years during HS and college. I saw plenty of unethical business practices displayed by the chain theater I worked for, including a mandatory rule that were to upsell items to children and the mentally handicapped because they "didn't know any better". This was not just the manager's douchebaggery, but it came from the higher ups within the company.

So sneaking in a bag of M&Ms I bought at Walgreens does not bother me in the slightest.

Flame me if you will.

ETA - I have children and I won't hide sneaking food into the theater from them.

[niemand88f]

May 19, 2012 10:01:03 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

This is one of those things you have to present a decent front on. Model the behavior you want a kid to follow. Which is, don't sneak food in. And if your littles are already troubled/have no role models, it's a cheap way to show them the 'right' thing to do.

I agree. Plus, they would probably prefer to pick their own favorite candy.

[smiley]

May 19, 2012 10:01:03 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

This is one of those things you have to present a decent front on. Model the behavior you want a kid to follow. Which is, don't sneak food in. And if your littles are already troubled/have no role models, it's a cheap way to show them the 'right' thing to do.

I agree with this. I would buy the candy there even though you normally would sneak it in. Allow the little to pick what they want.

[Roc A Bee]

I buy food at my small local theatre to support them since they make most of their revenue at the s ack bar. Huge theaters that charge double for a ticket,I sneak it in.

[bunch]

I asked this EXACT question a few yrs ago. I decided to bring in my own, but there's no sign saying no outside food or drink at the theater we go to (I know, it's implied). Anyway, for my little, who seems to have no concept of saving, being thrifty, etc I felt it was more important to show her that the cost of splurges add up and that we can't always afford everything. I was really worried the first time we brought snacks but she shared that her mom does the same thing all the time. We still buy snacks at the movies on occasion - when I have a coupon ;p

[sratsey]

Considering that it costs $13 to buy the ticket and then $3 (!!!!) for M&Ms, I would totally bring my own food in, even in front of other kids. I have no issue with teaching my kids that it's ridiculous to pay $3 for a box of candy that is $1 at Walmart.

I will splurge on the overpriced popcorn and drink though, because for some mental reason, I see overpriced popcorn as part of the rip-off movie experience.
Going to the movies is insane these days. Even if I'm taking my little ones to a matinee, I'm paying $40 for 3 tickets and food. I can't imagine how kids in high school can even go on decent dates when they're $40 in the whole just from a movie!! (sorry for the rant)

[Deleted]

What is this obsession with eating during movies?

Easiest solution -- don't eat at all. LOL.

[zitiqueen]

May 19, 2012 14:38:37 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

What is this obsession with eating during movies?

Easiest solution -- don't eat at all. LOL.

This is another good idea. Take them out to eat somewhere that maybe they don't normally get to go before the movie. They'll be too full to eat a $5 box of Twizzlers.

[Bumblebee]

I don't consider bringing food to a movie theater to be an unethical act so I wouldn't have a problem doing it in front of children.