Food at the cinema

Renn

Does it bug anyone else out there or is it just me? You have guys munching away like there's no tomorrow. You see half the popcorn going in the mouth, half on the ground...last night some guy decided to dig into some pringles for about half an hour, then decided to just fling the container to the ground. It seriously f*cking bugs me. You're probably best off going in to the last third of the movie when all the food has been consumed. Some films it's okay to do, some mindless action flick or whatever, but most are not.

Or maybe my ears are just too sensitive to this sh*t. Or I'm just a moany bastard.


So yeah, ban zee food?

AnonoBoy

The trailers and ads are so long these days I'm normally finished anything I bring with me by the time the film starts.

I don't mind munching really - it's the smell off those god awful nachos that gets me. Bleurgh!

Coriolanus

This is why I never go to the first week or so of showings. After that, the cinemas aren't as packed and consequently there's just less noise of every type.

phasers

Eating in general doesn't annoy me, it's just noisy eaters! I can't go to the cinema with my Dad because he chews so loudly.

... He also enjoys those disgusting stinky nachos which doesn't help...

So no, don't ban eating. Just ban nachos.

r3nu4l

Actually, I wonder if the idea of 'non-food' showings would take off? Maybe allow people to bring a drink but nothing else? I'd say hardcore cinema goers would go to those showings but apart from that the theatre would be empty.

Renn

I've been to screenings before where no food was allowed but you could bring beer/wine in etc. Perfect.

Karl Hungus

r3nu4l wrote: »

Actually, I wonder if the idea of 'non-food' showings would take off? Maybe allow people to bring a drink but nothing else? I'd say hardcore cinema goers would go to those showings but apart from that the theatre would be empty.

It'd never happen. Cinemas make most of their money from food, so they would never consider it.

Honestly though, can't say I've ever noticed anyone eating while in the cinema. Are there really people out there who can drown out the sound system with their chewing? Seems to me like some people here might just be looking for things to get wound up about.

Renn

You honestly saying you've never noticed it? May be true if you're actually one of the people doing it.

Karl Hungus

Renn wrote: »

You honestly saying you've never noticed it?

Yep, honestly. I'd generally go to the cinema once a week and some friends usually buy sweets, popcorn, whatever else have you. I'm sitting right next to them, and once the film starts, I don't notice if they're eating or not. Maybe I'm just lucky enough not to know any noisy eaters? I there's plenty of real things to get annoyed about in the cinema without having to pick up on minuscule things like someone munching on some popcorn.

Recently enough had someone who kept on checking their phone every few minutes during the film just a few rows infront of me, and the phone had a very bright screen. It was very distracting.

Renn

Karl Hungus wrote: »

Yep, honestly. I'd generally go to the cinema once a week and some friends usually buy sweets, popcorn, whatever else have you. I'm sitting right next to them, and once the film starts, I don't notice if they're eating or not. Maybe I'm just lucky enough not to know any noisy eaters? I there's plenty of real things to get annoyed about in the cinema without having to pick up on minuscule things like someone munching on some popcorn.

Recently enough had someone who kept on checking their phone every few minutes during the film just a few rows infront of me, and the phone had a very bright screen. It was very distracting.

Haha, real things? So I'm imaging these people are eating and I'm not actually hearing it? May be trivial to you but I notice it. I'd much prefer someone checking their phone than someone munching their food for all to hear.

Karl Hungus

Y'see, that "muching their food for all to hear" is the thing I don't find all too credible. Is there really anyone who can 'munch' loud enough that they can be heard over a cinema sound system to the point that "all" can hear? I can imagine maybe if someone is a really noisy eater they can be noticible to the person sat next to them, but it does sound like you're making a mountain out of a molehill here.

Lurching

Why dont Irish cinemas do it more of an australian way, beer at the cinemas. Less people eating food. And it doesn't get too rowdy, because you have to leave every time you want another drink. Plus the ushers are pretty on the ball with noisy b@stards.

Renn

Karl Hungus wrote: »

Y'see, that "muching their food for all to hear" is the thing I don't find all too credible. Is there really anyone who can 'munch' loud enough that they can be heard over a cinema sound system to the point that "all" can hear? I can imagine maybe if someone is a really noisy eater they can be noticible to the person sat next to them, but it does sound like you're making a mountain out of a molehill here.

Well we could hear someone at the other side of the cinema last night, so yeah, it's possible. Granted it was surround sound but still, one person can píss off quite a number of people. And the "for all to hear" comment was a clear exaggeration. No need to be pedantic.

johnny_ultimate

r3nu4l wrote: »

Actually, I wonder if the idea of 'non-food' showings would take off? Maybe allow people to bring a drink but nothing else? I'd say hardcore cinema goers would go to those showings but apart from that the theatre would be empty.

Yeah, nice idea, but as Karl said cinemas absolutely rake in money from food sales. Even at the 10 euro plus some cinemas charge for tickets these days, they're making minimal profit. Some, maybe, but nowhere near the couple of hundred percent mark up (or more!) they have on popcorn and watered down carbonated beverages! Cineworld must be netting an extra 3 or so euro off every small tub of Ben & Jerrys sold too!

In fairness, cinemas are businesses, there to make money and these days there isn't enough money in tickets. The IFI is the only food free cinema I know of, which is partially funded by the Government in order to make up the money they can't quite make off tickets sales (and of course the restaurant / cafe must be making some profit too). Of all the cinemas in Dublin it's the only non-commercial one, so the only one that doesn't need to sell food (although the Lighthouse has a very minimal confectionary stand).

As for whether it bothers me, well not really. The only time I'd notice it is in big screenings of big blockbusters. I usually head to the cinema at off-peak times, so it isn't too noticeable, but I'd expect a bit of rustling at a Friday evening showing of the latest blockbuster! All I'd ever bring to the cinema is maybe a cookie from M&S these days (I very rarely buy cinema food after my student card expired, and it also tends to be crap) although that can often take some awkward manouveres to get it out of the rustling bag without causing any distractions, so usually just bring nothing!

I think this thread proves once and for all that people just look for a reason to give out. I have never been in a situation where someones chewing of food has drowned out the sound system to a degree that it was all I could hear. It's just not possible unless the person in question is standing with their mouth inches from your ear and deliberately making as much noise as possible. Popcorn no matter how hard your try really isn't that loud nor is the average pack of sweets that cinemas sell. granted nachos are an audible food but nowhere near loud enough to make watching a film impossible. As for pringels, well I've never seen them sold in a cinemaand granted like nachos they may be loud but hardly loud enough to cause much of a distraction.

If someone is eating pringels in a cinema why not kindly ask them would them mind stopping as it's distracting you. Too many people are happy to sit and listen to people talk, answer texts, ect in the cinema and then cry about it on here. Most people when asked will stop doing whatever it is and if they don't you get a member of staff.

Lurching

Lurching wrote: »

Why dont Irish cinemas do it more of an australian way, beer at the cinemas. Less people eating food. And it doesn't get too rowdy, because you have to leave every time you want another drink. Plus the ushers are pretty on the ball with noisy b@stards.

cinemas over here do offer alcohol, I've enjoyed many a cool refreshing beer while on screen zombie brains exploded, an old man flew away in his house, etc,e tc.

Renn

Deleted User wrote: »

have never been in a situation where someones chewing of food has drowned out the sound system to a degree that it was all I could hear.

When did I say it was all I could hear?

Too many people are happy to sit and listen to people talk, answer texts, ect in the cinema and then cry about it on here.

They can't hear me when I ask them because of the noise.



In all honesty though, food is pretty bloody important for cinemas so there's never going to be a time when it won't be there. Just saying that it bugs me, that's all.

Renn

Deleted User wrote: »

cinemas over here do offer alcohol, I've enjoyed many a cool refreshing beer while on screen zombie brains exploded, an old man flew away in his house, etc,e tc.

Cool and refreshing and f*cking overpriced? Unless you bought it before you went...which is well advisable.

Renn

Renn wrote: »

When did I say it was all I could hear?

They can't hear me when I ask them because of the noise.

If you can still hear the film then whats the problem?

Renn wrote: »

Cool and refreshing and f*cking overpriced? Unless you bought it before you went...which is well advisable.

It's rarely that much more expensive than most pubs these days.

Karl Hungus

Ssshhhhh! I can't hear the film over the sound of you grinding your teeth!

Renn

I can hear the film + someone having their dinner. There's a ad at the start of every movie stating that it's probably best for all if you decide not to add your own sound effects. Obviously the majority don't pay attention to this one bit.

Can you tell me what a small bottle of Heineken costs in Dundrum?

Re-reading the opening post I was reminded of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGjwMMlUhCQ

Renn

Everything you say reminds me of Family Guy tbh.

Renn

Renn wrote: »

I can hear the film + someone having their dinner. There's a ad at the start of every movie stating that it's probably best for all if you decide not to add your own sound effects. Obviously the majority don't pay attention to this one bit.

Can you tell me what a small bottle of Heineken costs in Dundrum?

But the fact remains that people chewing popcorn and sweets is not at a level likely to cause much distraction except for those people who get angry over the smallest of things.

I go to the cinema an average of twice a week, last Friday I took my younger brother to Prince of Persia and sat beside him as he ate popcorn, sweets and drank fizzy beverage, not once was I distracted from the film by him nor the 100 other people eating similiar food.

The ad is not syaing please don't eat food it's asking that you not talk, leave your phone on, etc.

Renn

I'm not saying not to eat food, just not to be f*cking annoying while you're doing it. Simples.

johnny_ultimate

*sigh* Please can we avoid another thread of back and forth insults? It's getting a wee bit tiring

Galvasean

Depends on the food TBH. I once had someone eating a roll (complete with tin foil) near me. Now THAT was distracting.

Oh, there's a very good thread in Ranting & Raving here:
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055853328&highlight=cinema
which I contribute to a lot when stuff at the cinema bigs me.

If it's cool with everybody we can shut this thread?

Galvasean

Galvasean wrote: »

If it's cool with everybody we can shut this thread?

Why the heck am I asking? I'm a fricking God round these parts :P