Your Take: Food in Theaters

Here's a conversation we haven't had in a while, but is always sure to create a heated conversation. Perfect stuff for a blog. :)

A few years ago I asked if it was ethical to sneak food/drink into a movie theater. There was feedback from a theater employee who said it was ok, but when I emailed my local theater, they said it was not allowed. And comments from readers were certainly mixed.

I had pretty much forgotten the debate until I recently saw this piece in my local paper asking the same question. So since I have a good amount of new readers since the last time we discussed the topic, I thought I'd ask again:

Is it OK to bring food to the movies? (Even if the theater says you shouldn't?)

I've already detailed why I don't see that many movies in theaters any way and since I wrote that post, things have gotten worse. Prices are higher than ever, movie goers seem ruder than ever (TURN OFF YOUR PHONES, PEOPLE!), and theaters seem much less "special" than they used to be. Besides, with the advent of big-screen TVs, cable, Red Box, etc., there are very few movies these days that I feel I HAVE to see on a movie-sized screen.

Many of you are probably the same. But let's forget that issue for now. The question is, when you DO go to the theater, do you think it's ok to bring/sneak in your own food, candy, drinks, etc. into the theater even though the theater forbids it (which most do)?

Let the fun begin...

Comments

[William @ Drop Dead Money]

The workaround we implemented was to have dinner (or lunch for a matinee) before we go to the movie. Of course, that's even more expensive than popcorn and soda, but hey, what's life if you don't compensate for a bad decision with a worse one? :) There's no rule saying you can't bring food if it's already in your tummy, right?

Seriously, though, we're with you: the last movie we saw in a theater was The Blind Side, and that only because work required us to hang out in a snow bound town in Wisconsin for a few days. It's so much cheaper and more fun to watch a movie at home with friends... and make our own popcorn.

[Matt]

Most movies today are junk and I refuse to spend $8 just to get. There is a theater that shows movies that are at the end of viewing where you can get in for $4. I buy there special of popcorn and drink for $4.

I am told that 10% of the ticket sales goes to the theater and the rest to the movie distributor. Consessions is how the theater makes its profit.

To keep the cheap theater open I support the concessions. I can see why people who pay the full price would either bring in or not support the concessions. That is just too much money.

[MC]

I typically pack in a couple bottles of water in my purse for the kids, but we buy small popcorns or hotdogs at the theater if my kids are hungry. Fountain drinks arent healthy and Bottled water is $2 or more at the theater...forget it!

If its just me and my bf, Usually we skip the concessions because we're going out afterwards and would rather eat food anywhere else.

In terms of ethics, I usually have a bottle of water in my purse and car wherever we go so the theater's no different.

They show 30 min of commercials before the movie, the movie is usually ho-hum, the floors are sticky, the staff are inexperienced high school students, and the digital projection and sound usually take a couple tries for the staff to get working...it's barely worth the ticket price of $8 apiece, in my opinion, no way am I spending a lot on snacks too.

[Tim]

I would never bring food or water into a theatre. I have a VERY strict definition of theft. I'm sure the theatre works on an average ticket price (total spend by the average guest). The price of the tix and the concessions are all part of how they make money. I was raised to believe if I can't afford it, I shouldn't buy it (or consume it in this case) and I certainly shouldn't steal it.

Most justifications will revolve around "The price is way to high." I ask, at what price for gasoline will you "pump an run?" At what price point will you steal Milk? Bread? Since when do you get to decide what price is fair?

Everyone has their own standards and I am not going to turn someone in for sneaking in some twizzlers but don't try to justify it.

[Terri]

When our family goes to the theater -- which is very rare to begin with -- we do buy concession snacks for my husband and kids, but either I don't eat anything, or I bring something small in my purse. Theaters just don't offer anything that meets my food restrictions.

[Old Limey]

It's not an issue for us since NETFLIX arrived on the scene. Now we don't have to drive several miles, sit in a theater with hundreds of other people and be exposed to their germs, coughing, talking, cell phones etc. and be limited to watch new releases, the majority of which we have no interest in whatsoever.

Instead we can select our favorites from a selection of tens of thousands of titles, lay back in a nice recliner, with a cup of tea, and watch a 5 star movie that we have carefully researched and chosen, and not available in any theater anywhere. If we need to interrupt our viewing for any reason we can just press "Pause" on the remote.

[Lurker Carl]

Most people will survive two hours in a theater without consuming 3000 calories in candy, popcorn and soda.

[[email protected]]

I worked at a movie theater in college. Movie theaters make a majority of their money from concession sales. Most if not all of the movie ticket money goes right back to Hollywood. If your theater is part of a large chain that's one thing but if your theater is a locally owned small business you are really hurting them. The cost to heat/cool, staff, and power a movie theater can be astronomical. You shouldn't assume that you 10 dollar movie ticket is paying for that. The theater keeps little if any of that money.

Personally I love seeing movies in a theater. Comedies are so much funnier when you can share the laughs with 100 people, laughter is contagious. So is fear. When a good horror movie is playing up on the screen I swear you can feel the fear, it's like an electricity.

Watching movie on a TV is great, but I'll take a 50 foot screen and a theater full of excited movie fans any day.

[Mr. Everyday Dollar]

When I go to the theater (rarely), I am paying to see a movie. I am not paying for the opportunity to get gouged on concessions.

Therefore, I see no problem in carrying in water and snacks.

Not all rules are to be followed.

[JayB]

I rarely go to the movies in the first place because of the huge block of time that it consumes. When I do go, sometimes I will buy a coke but never the popcorn or candy. Occasionally I'll sneak in a bag of candy to go along with my drink. For one, the portion is an issue, then comes variety, and lastly, price. Now if the the theater offered every variety of candy in a normal size at a reasonable price, I would most certainly buy from them.

[Lance@MoneyLife&More]

I always bring in water and occassionally a can of soda. We also normally bring in candy as well. I know it is frowned upon but I don't remember seeing signs saying it isn't allowed and the theater employees never enforce it. Do you go 5 over the speed limit even though it is against the law? If the policy is enforced at a theater I doubt I would do it again.

[Mark]

I agree with Tim above.

FMF's original article and every reply using or implying the word "sneak" answers their own question. If you have to sneak it, then you know it is wrong.

Any business is free to make the rules under which they want to do business. I think it is unethical to violate those rules, even if you think they are ridiculous or unreasonable. To my mind you have three honest choices and one dishonest one. The three honest ones are:
1. Don't eat and drink while you watch the movie. Perhaps going a full 2 hours without sticking something in your mouth might even be healthy once in a while.

2. Don't go to the movie at all. You can argue that this is even worse for the theater. True, but that is their business decision to make.

3. Buy the food there. Those are the only customers they want anyway.

The dishonest choice is to take your own food or drink.

[Jo]

Growing up, my family would go to a movie occasionally throughout the year. We always got the large popcorn and pop special to share, and got one free refill (sometimes before the movie even started!!). Rarely would we bring in our own food...maybe a regular size candy bar occasionally.

My hubby and I don't go to movies all that often just because of price, maybe two or three a year (and those have got to be BIG ones in order for us to go to the regular theater). We usually eat before hand either at home or a restaurant, so we usually don't buy concessions.

I have snuck in food/pop in a couple of times but never felt right about it. Usually I'm ok with seeing others sneaking in food when it's something like regular size candy or special diet snacks, but when it's pop or popcorn that bugs me. Of course I would never say anything to totally strangers...it's their decision.

[retirebyforty]

I haven't been to a theater in a few years, but I think it's perfectly justifiable to bring anything that fits in your jeans pockets. If I happen to have a pack of gum in my pocket, I don't see a problem with that. I wouldn't bring in a bag of popcorn and soda though.

[Noah]

When I was a child (and a teen) we would always stop by the 99 cent only store and buy as much candy as I could fit into my pockets. It is also helpful to go with women because large purses/bags can fit a lot more. I once went to the theatre with a friend and his grandma brought in a six pack in her large purse.

I have absolutely no guilt about "sneaking" in the snacks and candy because I wouldn't buy it at the theatre if I didn't have time to bring in the snacks. I don't consider it stealing at all. I'm already paying $12-15 dollars and refuse to make it an even $20. However, lately we only go to the movies in the mornings when it's still $6 and the crowds are lighter.

This obviously is not enough of a problem that it has caused theaters to have to close en masses. People have probably been doing this since the 1950s. The movie industry has obviously learned to deal with it and adjust their prices accordingly. I would think that it's much more of a problem when someone buys a single ticket and stays at the theater all day.

[CW]

We only go to movies together with the kids for special occasions. We either eat before or after the movie as part of the treat. I certainly don't have a problem bringing outside snacks in the theater especially when they charge you double/triple the price from their concessions.

[Jim]

Its against the rules and unethical.

I wouldn't go so far as to call it 'stealing' but it is certainly unethical. Theres really no justification for it and I don't care if you think movie food is too expensive.

Would you go to an expensive restaurant and smuggle in food?

A movie theatre is just an expensive restaurant with a show. As has been pointed out they make the majority of their money on concessions, not the film. The film is just a reason to get you there to buy their $4 sodas.

[Catherine]

It's wrong, and it's creepy how many people rationalize it. It reminds me of folks who pocket extras from a buffet to take away for their next meal(s). It is a tacky form of nickel and diming that will never create wealth, but could ultimately undermine your wealth creating goals.

[Noah]

@Jim

People go to restaurants to order pricey food so it makes no sense to smuggle in food. You are there only to eat. I've been to restaurants with friends and ordered nothing. Would that also be considered stealing?

Also, do you think people who go to theaters and don't buy food are stealing? They are using the theatres seats, electricity, bathroom facilities, etc. and only supporting the movie studios and not helping upkeep the theatre and pay it's employees.

My thoughts on all this is that businesses have already factored the "food smuggling" factor and they continue to stay in business. If you want to get into this business, it's something you have to factor in and realize it would take too much time and resources to enforce. There is absolutely nothing they can do to stop this. Were I in that business I would be far more terrified that more and more people are not going to the movies at all. Every year I go to less and less movies. This is the first year I haven't been to the movie theatre.

[Noah]

@Catherine

There is no comparison between overtly stealing from a buffet and bringing in your own snacks. You paid for the snacks yourself and are choosing when to consume them. You are assuming that if the customer didn't have snacks with themself already they would purchase it from the theatre. I don't think you can make that assumption. I see lots of people go into theatres and not buy a single thing.

[Walden]

We don't see movies often, but we do not sneak any outside food in. I do bring in water (in my resusable bottle that's always with me). I'm not actually sure if it's "allowed" or not, there is no signage, but I carry it in plain sight and no one has ever said anything. I have seen people ask for cups of water at the concession stand before and the employees have always given it out, so perhaps water is ok? I suppose I should ask to make sure.

In general, while I agree that movie snacks/drinks are crazy expensive (as are the tickets themselves) I don't think it's ok to break the rules of a business just because you don't like their prices. If you don't want to pay $8 for popcorn, then don't buy any. On the flip side, I'm not paying $3 for a disposable bottle of water. I guess it's hypocritical, but I feel that water is a necessity whereas popcorn is not.

[cmadler]

Our rule of thumb: if we're paying first-run price to see the movie (typically $7 to $12) we have no compunctions about bringing in outside food and/or drinks, but if we're going to a super-cheap show (one theater near us periodically offers family and kids movies in the free to $1 range) we might buy from the theater.

[Jim]

Noah,

I said I wouldn't call it stealing.

I really don't see any difference between smuggling your food to a restaurant and smuggling food into a movie theatre ethically. You're breaking the establishments rules at the cost of their profit in their business to be a cheapskate.

Would you go to a restaurant and setup a 60" TV screen and football? I mean the restaurants TV is too small and you dislike the picture so is it OK to bring your own TV right? Who cares if the restaurant doesn't allow you to bring in a big screen TV??!

The point is you're going to an establishment and ignoring their rules. Its their business and their rules. Breaking someones rules isn't OK even if you dislike the rules. If you don't like their rules then don't go there.

"My thoughts on all this is that businesses have already factored the "food smuggling" factor and they continue to stay in business"

Doesn't make it OK. Stores factor in shop lifting losses and they stay in business. Should that justify shop lifting?? (no I know its not the same as theft as I said already)

"There is absolutely nothing they can do to stop this"

Also doesn't make it OK.

[Noah]

@Jim

I still have a hard time equating it with stealing. If their entire business model relies on customers purchasing snacks, then why is it not stealing to go in and not buy anything besides a ticket? What difference does it make if I bring in a candy bar or water bottle vs coming in with nothing at all and not purchasing anything.

[Noah]

@Jim

NOTE: Disregard my first sentence of the last post and any change any reference to "stealing" as "breaking the rules". I started typing a respont and then left for 15 min and didn't re-read my post all the way through.

[Young Limey]

Nothing wrong with it, my wife and I do it all the time. 2 microwave popcorn bags in her purse...

This site below is funny, comments from a theatre employee:

http://voices.yahoo.com/sneaking-food-into-movie-theater-tips-theater-10880147.html?cat=40

"I've found wine bottles, soup-to-go cups, coffees, and even a KFC family bucket. If someone can sneak in a KFC family bucket without being caught, you should be able to sneak in a baggie of sweets for goodness sake."

[Noah]

@Young Limey

I think the bottom line here is don't create a rule you aren't going to enforce. My sister worked at a theater for years and said that nobody every kicked out a single person for bringing in outside snacks.

The problem is that if they started enforcing the rules, patrons would go to another theater or stay home altogether. They would rather get the $1-2 per person (after paying the movie studios) than $0. It makes more financial sense to not do anything about it.

[Jim]

Noah,

If its against the rules then its against the rules.

Breaking someones rules isn't OK.

Doesn't matter if you think their rules make sense or are realistic or legitimate or sensible or don't matter etc. Its their business and their rules. Breaking their rules isn't OK, cause its their business and their rules.

How would you feel if you were running a business and customers broke the rules you setup in your business? What about people who come into your home and ignore the rules in your home? I'm sure there are people who think your rules would be stupid and not want to follow them but thats still not OK nor justification to break your rules right?

[JimL]

I would follow the rules of the theater. With that said, I do not go to the theater anymore. I love movies and built my own home theater (and have built theaters for others). The sound and picture quality are much better and I do not have any distractions.

[Noah]

@Jim

I respect your opinion and understand the argument that no rule should ever be broken but when a rule isn't enforced, most people don't consider it a rule anymore.

If someone came into my house and decided to start smoking, I would ask them to leave or smoke outside. If they refuse, then I ask again and if needed, call the police. In my house I like to enforce the rules.

If a movie theater is adamant about a rule being followed (it's evident that most aren't), why don't they enforce it...ever? I've never heard a story about a single person being asked to leave a theater for bringing in food. Is it still considered a rule if there is no consequence? To me this sounds like more of a preference on their part.

[Adrienne]

We like to eat at Costco before or after the movie (right down the road.) Slice of pizza and a drink..or a hot dog and a drink. We go to one of the less crowded theaters..for the early birds discount. Tuesdays are free popcorn days. Only a small but plenty for my son (I make better popcorn at home anyway.) And I do purchase a small drink for him (no ice.) We used to bring in some candy while purchasing the large tub of popcorn and drinks...but I prefer our new way better. It's a real treat for my son to go to the movies..so I don't consider it to be a waste of money.

[Kenny]

Policy of Theaters say: NO

Your Viewers say: Mixed

Employee say: Yes (one of a kind)

My View says: Cross the fine line and take foods that are NOT available in the theater, and also fund the theater by buying one or two items (drink for example)

Why do I say: Very simply, movie going costs a lot of money these days, and hence the above is a justifiable compromise since I am the type who drives just a bit over speed limit, and this is one of those items of that kind.

My preference says: Watch movie on my 144" projection wall with Dolby/DTS 7.1 home theater system with a Redbox movie (after reading review), or do it using Netflix. It is MUCH MORE enjoyable (with appropriate On-Demand breaks).

Kenny

[Mark]

Updating my earlier response: Sneaking in food is stealing, but I have decided to do it anyway. After all, there is no enforcement and the theater food is too expensive.

I also speed whenever I think I can get away with it. After all, the limit is usually set unreasonably low, especially in school zones, and the cops are never there.

Running red lights is pretty harmless too - I hate those excessively long waits.

Any other ideas to help me save time and money?

[Noah]

@Mark

Do you honestly believe that a person who happens to always carry around a bottle of water or pack of gum or Tic Tacs in his/her bag or purse should throw it in the trash before coming into a theatre and re-purchase it at the snack counter?

[Jim]

Noah, I doubt I'll change your mind on this point. I'm not saying nobody should ever break any rules. But when rules are broken then thats unethical. Rationalizing why its OK to break rules doesn't make it OK to break rules.

Is it OK to jaywalk? Is it OK to drive 33 MPH in a 30MPH zone? Is it OK for a 16 year old to smoke a cigarette? Is it OK to download a pirated MP3? In each case its against the rules, never enforced and everyone does it. That doesn't mean its OK.

Nobody's going to prison nor doomed to burn in the firey pits of hell for this stuff. But if you ask is it OK to break the rules? No. Thats my stance and I'm not changing it. I find it puzzling that I get so much argument when I say that breaking rules isn't OK. *shrug*

[Mark]

@Noah: No of course not. Just like you don't honestly believe that a person who happens to always carry around a gun in his/her bag or purse should throw it in the trash before coming into a theatre just because there is a "No Concealed Weapons" sign.

I concede that it is not unethical to bring in tic tacs or water that "happen to be there". But if you consume them you cheat the theater owner.

[Noah]

@Jim

We all break rules at one time or another, yourself included. Some rules have more consequences than others. I happen to feel this is an ok case where breaking the rule is ok, just as I believe driving 66 on the freeway is ok, even though 65 is the limit. If you are saying that breaking a rule is always unethical, that's fine, I understand that. When I break a rule, I'm understanding that there may be consequences. If I'm uncomfortable with the possible consequences (like running a red light), I will obey rules 100% of the time. I also believe there are many laws that are downright idiotic like not being able to play dominoes on Sundays in Alabama ($100 fine). Would you be ok breaking that rule?

FMF's question wasn't whether it was unethical or not, but whether you were OK with it. I for one am OK with it for most cases. I won't bring in a popcorn machine and pop for the entire crowd, but I will occasionally bring in my own candy and water.

@Mark

I will admit that whenever I do frequent a theater, any snacks I do bring in are not usually available at the counter. I also don't believe they sell water there, which I almost always bring in to help me make it through the commercials + previews + movie. Even if they did, I always drink a bit from their drinking fountain beforehand.

However, I will agree that bringing in a tub or bag of your own popcorn is a bit ridiculous. It seems like more trouble than it's worth and looks tacky, just like if you brought in a 2 liter of soda and 5 cups for your buddies. I would never stoop to that level nor I ever have. I also would never stay for 2 or more movies when buying a single ticket. I believe that is stealing even though the case could be made that if there are empty seats it doesn't matter anyways.

In reality I think theater owners have much larger issues to worry about. Movie attendance is way down and combatting that problem with higher prices isn't helping. They need to figure out how they can get a larger percentage of the revenue. If theaters go out of business, Hollywood is also going to suffer. The industry is going to have to change and this is one rule that they should simply discard because it isn't enforced.

[Jim]

"I would never stoop to that level"

OK so theres shades of gray here right? Sounds like you certainly think some versions of smuggling food into theatres is NOT OK. Its a matter of how bad is the example.

Its like speeding. Is it OK to drive 31MPH in a 30 MPH zone? I don't think most people will have a problem with that or consider it 'bad' thing. But is it OK to go 100MPH in a 20MPH zone? Of course not, thats reckless and clearly illegal.

But if you ask is it ok to break the speed limit, then the general answer is 'no'.

Here the general question was is it ok to smuggle food into a threatre, and the answer is no in general.

[Noah]

Jim

I don't think the purpose of the discussion is to dispute the fact that theatres have a rule. We all know a rule exists. We all know that whoever made the rule wishes nobody would ever bring in outside consumables (is this a word?) I think FMF's desire was to ask us as readers whether we are ok with it. I'm simply giving my opinion. And I do believe there are shades of gray. I don't always blinding follow every rule. I look at why the rule exists, who it affects and what the outcome will be if the rule is not followed. Until it becomes a federal or state crime or theaters start throwing out people I will continue to bring in a bottle of water and occasional pack of candy. The theater wouldn't get my money for the snack anyway so I have no guilt.

It's also hardly "smuggling" when I walk past a ticket taker with a full bottle of water. I have never been stopped. I don't go often anymore but I have never hidden a bottle. Do I feel guilty? Not at all. Theaters have free to use drinking fountains. Since they don't charge for the water why should they care if I bring in a bottle.

I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one and I'll see you at the movies :)

[Bo Manry]

I don't see the big deal of bringing your own food into a theater. We are already paying upwards of $10 a ticket just for the movie. We shouldn't have to pay another $15 for food.

[texashaze]

We rarely go to the theater since 99% of the movies are terrible - bad acting, bad plots, too much violence, too predictable, too much special effects and too much sex. I'm not a prude either but these movies aren't even interesting. Heck even the bad "B" movies of the 80s at least provided some entertainment.

With that being said, since I go only 1 time a year I don't care about buying from the concessions. I already know you are going to get hosed. We will buy 1 big refillable popcorn and only 1 big soda -- with boys it doesn't matter.

[Mark]

@Noah: Hollywood will have no significant problems if US movie theaters go out of business. The reason so many movies are short on dialog and long on violence is so they can easily be transfered to lucrative foreign markets.

They also make plenty off TV deals and DVDs.

The movie industry will make as much if not more when they cut out the middlemen - the theater-owners.

[Mark]

@Noah: You said "I don't always blinding follow every rule. I look at why the rule exists, who it affects and what the outcome will be if the rule is not followed".

That is a slippery slope argument. Where do you draw the line? What if someone else has a different moral standard and decides that killing someone for some perceived reason (e.g. providing abortions) is OK?

They may evaluate the situation and conclude that the net effect on all the people affected is positive or neutral, and that they will not get caught.

I know it is a slightly exagerated scenario but every killer believes they have a good reason for what they did.

[Noah]

@Mark

It's up to society to decide the moral compass, not individuals. If I decide to kill someone, chances are that 12 people will throw me into jail (unless it can be proven it was justifiable). I don't have a free pass to decide what I want to do and get away with it. If society decides my action should result in jail time, I can't escape that. We as citizens get to decide if we want to follow those roles and take on the risk of getting caught.

We as the United States do already make those decisions about the net effect on society (or the world) if a person should die. Osama was deemed by our govt as a threat (whether you believe it or not is a different discussion) and we decided to end his life.

You are most likely correct about Hollywood. I tend to forget about the foreign and DVD markets and that they make up the bulk of a movie's revenue. It will be a shame if my children can't enjoy a public movie theater, but I can't say I will miss it all that much. I have fond memories and nobody can take those away :)

[miche]

To all the people who argue that the theater makes their money on popcorn sales, I ask:
Do you pay your credit cards in full every month, "depriving" VISA of its profits?
Do you return you library books on time, depriving them of fines?
Do you neglect to feed meters, so your city government can get more money from the ticket?
I'm sure yo do the "right thing" by your bank and don't use their ATMs, so they can profit off your "foreign transaction fees."

You are under no obligation to participate in a transaction in the most profitable way for the other party. When I go to the movies, I buy my popcorn there not because it's more profitable for them, but because I want that product. If they choose not to pop their popcorn fresh, but dump it out of a bag, well I don't want that,and I'm not going to pay for it out of "loyalty." That is NONSENSE.

[michael]

To discuss the morality of bringing in snacks to a movie theater by analogy of murder is insane. There is ZERO debate about the immorality of murder. there is clearly significant debate about the morality of bringing in your own snacks. Someone called it theft. Well, in my book, it is theft if I deprive someone of the use OR benefits they are owed. Downloading an mp3 is theft, the artist is entitled to compensation when I enjoy their work. Is a theatre owner entitled to payment for the seat I occupy? Absolutely. IF I eat his popcorn, is he entitled to payment for that? Of course. Am i obligated to buy his popcorn? No sir. I'm under no such obligation. He will earn my money only by providing a superior product at a reasonable price.
This is akin to saying that I'm stealing from Gillette if I buy generic razor blades. Engaging in one transaction does not require me to engage in others. If they do, then they aren't really separate transactions, are they? It's a single transaction with multiple payments, like a lease or a wireless contract. If you want to run your business in a way that you lose money on one product with the plan to make it up on others, that"s YOUR Right, and YOUR business. I'm under NO obligation to "support" you in that strategy.

[The Antichick]

I now only go to theatres that serve food. It's not high cuisine, but it's good "bar food". The chairs are more comfy, and my favorite allows me to reserve seating for a small upcharge (I dislike crowds and getting seats in a crowded theatre sends my anxiety through the roof.)

Movies are a special outing for me at this point, so making it dinner & a movie with family and/or friends is perfect, and makes the "bring your own food" moot.

Also, they serve adult beverages if I'm dragged to see the latest Twilight installment by my teen. ;)

[Sara]

I don't really think it's an ethical choice to sneak food in (as long as the movie theater says not doing that is a condition of doing business with them), even though there's always people willing to justify it. I mean, I could save money on my restaurant bills by just never tipping, but that'd be pretty douchey, right? I could also bring a flask to a restaurant and just order non-alcoholic drinks to mix with, but that's also sketchy, right? If you're trying to save a few bucks by entering a morally gray area, just go less often or not at all.

Also, Miche and Michael - This isn't an argument over whether you should buy popcorn at all, it's over whether it's unethical to sneak your own food in when a theater explicitly prohibits outside food. Obviously you are not obligated to buy snacks from the movie theater. Also, if a theater doesn't mind if you bring in outside food (like a BYOB restaurant), then it's not an issue.

[Suze]

Does sneaking in food really save much money? Doesn't seem like it would. This is more of a hypothetical argument about an ethical choice, right?

I don't know if I'm a camel or something but I can easily get through a couple of hours without eating or drinking anything. So IF I went to theater and IF I was told that theater had a policy against bringing in outside food and/or drink, no, I wouldn't sneak anything in. I would just go without.

But I honestly don't think it's that big of a deal if others do.

It's not the moral equivalent of murder. Or even of petty theft. It's an add on service, like the overpriced shampoos and conditioners beauty salons try to get to buy when you're getting a hair cut. Or the bags of peanuts airlines try to sell to you while they hold you hostage on your flight! I don't buy that stuff either.

And it must be the rare theater that actually posts this policy and enforces it because in over forty years of movie going I was unaware of it.

[Georgia]

We are lucky in my small town. We have a lovely theater which shows movies each weekend and 3-4 times a year puts on a lovely play. The help is all volunteer and the costs are reasonable - $4 for the movie, $5 if it is 3-D; $2-4 for popcorn; $1-3 for soft drinks; $1 for candy bars. I would not bring my own food. We also have a lovely new sound system.

I don't go often as I do not care for a lot of the movies that are put out now. They even ruined my favorite detective and made him an action figure, which Sherlock Holmes was not. I walked out within 10-15 minutes and never regretted it. I just bought all the DVD's of Jeremy Brett's Sherlock.

Of course, I am an old lady and lived through the heyday of Hollywood and all the great movies and musicals. They are even still great to watch.